Advertising/Donations

[ConfusedCartman]

We're trying to offset server fees and hopefully earn a little money, so we're considering implementing unobtrusive advertising (say, one ad on the top and bottom of the page or something) to the site. Our other option is adding a "Donate" button (to a paypal account). Either way the money will go toward the site itself. My question to you guys is: what do you think? Would you mind putting up with an ad or two, or do you think donations are a better option?

EDIT: No pop-ups or annoying noisy ads. Just standard images and a link (maybe animation, but if it's anything too annoying, we'll yank it down). To give you guys an idea, we would place a link in the page that would autogenerate and insert an ad. Since ads are autogenerated, I can't guarantee exact size, shape, or type, but I can promise that we will remove anything annoying or intrusive (which we will work to avoid in the first place). We haven't even decided on an ad provider, so until we do, I can't give any sort of solid information.

[Whalio Cappuccino]

Ads as in? The annoying pop up ones? Or the ones that just, are there... I could deal with the latter.

[ConfusedCartman]

Ads as in? The annoying pop up ones? Or the ones that just, are there... I could deal with the latter.

We would never add popups, those are too intrusive and annoying. No, I'm talking standard linked images placed somewhere on the page (for example, between the header and the navbar).

[Whalio Cappuccino]

We would never add popups, those are too intrusive and annoying. No, I'm talking standard linked images placed somewhere on the page (for example, between the header and the navbar).

If it would help pay for the site, sure why not!

[Morrinn3]

Have you considered Google ads? They are very unobtrusive, easy on the eyes and often relevant to whatever topic the page is on.

[ConfusedCartman]

Have you considered Google ads? They are very unobtrusive, easy on the eyes and often relevant to whatever topic the page is on.

Yep, Google Adsense is one of the providers we're considering.

[Morgana25]

If I keeps this site available I wouldn't mind ads.

[v0rtex•]

Frankly I am always amazed (working in the industry and having maintained a website or two) at any site that can manage good content without advertising. It's not cheap to keep this stuff up and running.

For myself personally, I would encourage a hybrid approach, as I would be willing to support this site with a (modest) donation as well. But donations alone are, by their nature, dynamic and therefore very difficult to budget with.

But yes please... no pop ups!

[Hamsalad]

Ya if it's what is needed to be done I'm sure everyone would be fine with it. Unless there were enough donations to avoid having them.

[LittleBigMe]

Sure.

Filler.

[Walter-Kovacs]

Ads are fine by me. Also I think a donation option is a good idea, everyone has an extra $5 right?

[RangerZero]

I don't mind Google ads but anything more intrusive would be annoying for me.

.

[Fjonan]

I wouldn't mind, as long as it fits the theme and keeps the site alive. Why not use both, ads and donate button?

[ryryryan•]

I think ads are a good idea. A few larger forums i use have ads (one where there's an ad always under the first post of a thread), and it never bothers me. And i'd probably donate on the odd occasion if there were an option.

[Rogar]

I'm fine with adds, if they behave themselves.

One amateur forum I know which had reasonable traffic paid for its hosting by a banner from the host company. The advantage is that the banner is always the same, and therefor less obtrusive. Is that maybe an option here?