Weekly Poll: Site Sponsorships
An incredibly important poll for subscribers!
Monday, December 3, 2007 by Zoomba | Discussion: WinCustomize News
This week's poll is a little different from what we usually talk about. This week it's all about how we support and fund the site. Currently we support WinCustomize primarily through subscriptions and web ads. However we have repeatedly turned away the much more profitable ads because they're just so darned annoying. We know that at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how well an ad pays if it drives users away. That's why you'll never see pop-ups, hover ads etc on WinCustomize, even though they pay extremely well.
That said, we are still looking to find additional revenue sources, especially as the cost of the site continues to climb. One of the ways is through a "Site Sponsorship" program.
A "Site Sponsorship" is basically where a company decides to sponsor WinCustomize for a month or more at a time. They would get something akin to the image to your left as a static image placement on the site. In the case of the example here, it would be a box added to the WinCustomize sidebar. It's not a typical ad. It doesn't bounce, flash, play sounds or in any way impact your browsing. It's merely a logo placement, perhaps with a brief text message that would be a part of the site.
There's a catch though (there's always a catch). If we were to secure these sponsorships, they would have to be displayed to ALL users, even subscribers.
That's where today's poll comes in. For all of you who are subscribers, or who are thinking of subscribing. Would a sponsorship placement like what I've described be acceptable to you?
Of course, you'd get something in return for such a placement. Sponsorships like this one, run over the course of the year, would directly fund projects like new Subscriber Suites. We could actually afford to hire skinners from Stardock Design to draw up and build several Subscriber Suites in the course of the year.
So, if you were to get additional subscriber suites, would that make the sponsorship placement more acceptable?
Go ahead and vote. We'll tally it up next Monday. And please use the comments here to discuss the proposal, and what would make the addition acceptable to you if it were to happen.
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Reply #42 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 6:46 AM
Seeing how the income from sponsors/ads ( call it what you want, I'll call em ads
) goes into their pockets, it's a little different, dontcha think? 
Gimme the revenue and I'll look at the blinking lights til retirement.
Do what you gotta but the site already has a major sponsor and that's Stardock.
Reply #43 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 6:48 AM
That ain't going to happen. Last time I was seen in a pair of Speedos I was about 5....
Reply #44 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 6:50 AM
we know you sit at your PC in a speedo and headgear. It's common knowledge.
Reply #45 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 7:25 AM
But I'm ready!
**Image by Po'
Reply #46 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 7:45 AM
And Zubaz....that is one scary looking animated image.!
Reply #48 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 7:55 AM
)If my computer access was restricted to evenings (UK time) I would struggle to access the site at all. So for me, extra goodies aren't so much the issue, as being unable to cache already needed scripts from existing servers. It is only this site, it is always the same time period, it isn't client dependent, nor does it matter whether or not I'm logged in.
Not a moan, I'm a full grown fella and it isn't a 'real life' issue. So I work around it and enjoy the site regardless. The point, is that extra suites and additional goodies aren't necessarily a selling point to me. In fact as it stands, any goody that substantially increased server demand further, may actually have a negative impact on my experience, unless it's offset by additional resources..
If you want/need to introduce limited, well placed sponsorship slots, then I can work with that. As outlined in the OP it doesn't seem unreasonable.
If however, the principle was extended to the 'anything goes' philosophy, or Jafo's suggestion that a sponsorship slot every 10 skins in the gallery is acceptable, then were those slots filled, I would feel uneasy.
Not because of the impact on the site, all things being equal, as a site supporter, I'd cope with that if it was genuinely about sustainability. I'd struggle because the impact of the visible difference between sponsorship and adverts at that frequency, would have diminished to a degree where I would feel present subscriptions had been misrepresented.
I understand that's not the original stance and also the spirit in which Jafo made the statement. That said, as the position has been presented, it seemed reasonable to generate a different point of view.
Reply #49 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 8:00 AM
Good feedback AS.
Reply #50 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 9:00 AM
Reply #51 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 9:03 AM
Seriously, as long as it isn't intrusive or overbearing I don't have too big an issue with it. I wish there were another means to accomplish the end result but I sure don't see it at this point...
Now, If you'll excuse me, I must go gargle. The mental image of Jafo in a speedo has caused me to throw up in my mouth a little to much..
Reply #52 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 9:17 AM
Reply #54 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 10:49 AM
I am actually looking for honest feedback, be it positive or negative. A change like this, if implemented, could be a pretty big deal to folks who have subscribed for years. There was actually a lot of internal discussion on the issue and it was decided that it would be best to put it to a user vote and discussion.
This is a chance to stand up and say yes or no to the idea, state your case either way.
Reply #55 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 10:55 AM
If there was a thunderous clamor against a sponsored ad program would that mean a change in subscriptions? Would th price go up or would the renewal policy change?
If that's the case and I have to pick between them footing the bill (and getting a little product placement) or me footing the bill and being totally ad free . . I pick them.
Reply #56 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 11:02 AM
The man has a way with his words, doesn't he.
Ah, what Zubuz said.
Reply #57 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 11:05 AM
I agree Zubaz and that was my point. I disagree that it would be a big deal "to those that have been subscribers for years" (I am one of those) UNLESS it was phase one of the slippery slope routine which it has been stated it is not. What's the big deal of a single logo stuck in the WC sidebar? None that I can see. It would keep the WC Store ad company!
So, my opinion is bring on the logos, and perhaps we will not need to all be subscribed until the year 2050! (Just a joke,
Reply #58 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 11:17 AM
Will there be a agreed upon limit to the amount per page? I not against one small ad but I do know what it can grow into.
Reply #59 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 11:25 AM
I do agree with you that ads usually turn into banners, that would not be good. I have a feeling though that this is not what is going to happen.
Reply #60 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 11:31 AM
To the concerns that this may be a stepping stone to more and more ads for subscribers as time goes on. That's not how this is going to go down. If nothing else will calm that fear, let me say this... I browse the site on the same subscriber settings as every other subscriber. Everything that I have placed on the site that impacts subscribers, I have to live with too. So does Brad, KarmaGirl, T-Man, Jafo and everyone else who have been with the site forever. Do you think a single one of us wants ads getting in our way?
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Reply #41 Tuesday, December 4, 2007 4:44 AM