That "Donate" button (again) (Read 474 times)

Eric, I know this comes up from time to time but you still need to put a donate button (or at least a clearer link to the subscription page) on the Home page so it's obvious and easy to find.  I just made my little annual donation but it took me 10 minutes of searching old threads and clicking through all the links to eventually find THIS.   (Hint to others: look under Options/ Subscription Plan )

This is an awesome site and I'm repeatedly amazed at what a great job you do keeping it innovative, updated, clean and easy-to-use.  My one complaint?  It shouldn't be so difficult to give you money. 

I designed the RA from a user's perspective: I don't like seeing ads and I certainly don't like websites constantly trying to part with my money with "premium" memberships.  At the same time, I acknowledge that a website (or business) without income will not last long.  I don't want to charge money for additional (oftentimes trivial) functionality.  This site is created for everyone but not everyone can afford a fee based membership.

I was hoping that the ads would provide enough revenue so I don't have to ask for money.  The ad money covers all expenses associated with operating the website, including hardware upgrades.  It's even enough to pay for some living expenses.  Good thing Mrs. eric is supportive.

I'm happy to take suggestions on how to make the subscription/donate option more visible without it being obnoxious.

eric

I think an additional "donate" button on the home page only (not on the training log or forums) would not be the least bit obnoxious.

"Subscribe" is not really intuitive if you are already a subscriber--you might not think to click the subscribe link looking for the donate button if you know you have already subscribed.

Wikipedia, PBS, etc. all have campaigns for donations to continue services. Don't be shy about asking for donations/contributions. after all, your work is valuable to us.

Yes, but specific to eric's concern, PBS' model is the way NOT to do it. (that said, I totally agree with you, totally)

Eric, just make the subscribe option more discoverable on user set up, in "options" and a blurb on the homepage.  Consider adding a "subscribe/donate" link in the log and/or forum nav.  It doesn't need to be in our face, but it should be less hard to find.

I think you should just put a "donate" tab at the top of each page.

Home | Training Log | Resources | Community | Donate

The donate tab would drop you into a page where you explain that donations are not required for increased functionality but that this is your job and they do help you support the running community by running this site.

Being honest is not offensive.

I think you should just put a "donate" tab at the top of each page.

I agree with that suggestion. I rarely scrolls to or pay attention to the bottom of webpages, having something at the top at least will make sure it will be visible when the page first loads.

I normally dislike frequent annoying donation ads on sites, but I think RA went the other extreme and made it a bit too hidden.

I think there needs to be something in between.  More discoverable, but please no donate button on the top of each and every page.

I like the idea.  If it was on the menu bar next to "Community" it would be on every page but would not take up any room at the expense of the page content.  I would suggest to not have any sub options drop down when you hover over it (like the "Home" option).

The link could go to a "Donate" page which could contain an explanation (Eric's post in this thread would sum it up) and the actual donate button.

Knowing that the presence of ads allows this page to remain free to users, does one's use of AdBlock in any way affect revenue?