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Now - isn't THAT a thread title that gets your attention? <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
As many of you know (and perhaps, some of you don't know) - this site is 100% funded by 'yours truly'. Hard to believe we've come so far from almost closing the site down last year. But, we stuck it out and after 2007, we've grown to where I'm required to have a dedicated server and can no longer host this site on a 'shared host' site.<br><br>
I figured I'd give you guys a 'full-disclosure' of what the financial implications of the growth and let you know what our plan is to get the site 'cost neutral' - I'm not looking to make a 'profit' on the site - I'd just like the site to generate enough revenue to pay for itself and get enough to pay back my brother for the running log development. (he paid his programmer to write the log)<br><br><br>
What does that mean? About $100 a month verses $5.00 a month. That's the cost to host this site. This doesn't include the cost of the actual vbulletin software upgrades and support (which is about 50 a year or so) - the upgrade to the newest version will be a bit more, but the added features will be worth it - I think<br><br><br>
The running log costs: So far, to get the log where it currently is - has run about $2500.00. We've got a 'volunteer' who is now taking over the project to finish the log and add the multi-sport functionality - but the money already spent is still there.<br><br><br>
So - what to do?<br><br><b>Ads?</b> Well - after 4 months of ads, we've yet to earn enough to pay for one months of server fees - I'm sure if I loaded ads everywhere, we'd probably increase the overall revenue - but I hate having the ads I currently have as it is - so I can't do that to this site.<br><br><b>Donations?</b> I've had many people ask to 'donate' to the costs of the site. And although I appreciate the offer, I don't believe it is a long term solution to the viability of the site. It may help us pay down the running log bill, and if the ads could sustain the stie, then I might consider that - but I don't believe that will happen.<br><br><b>Subscription/Premium package?</b> This seems the most viable alternative - but even this is scary. I mean, there are '100% free sites' out there, right? Why 'pay' to keep kickrunners.com around? there's runnningahead.com and chrunners.net and active.com - to name a few. And I'm sure, that if we implement the 'premium' package, we'll probably lose some members to those sites - which again, is just part of the 'internet -forum' experience.<br><br>
So... I've been struggling with this for 5 months (actually, longer - but only since we've gone to the dedicated server)...<br><br>
Here are our thoughts - and I'm opening this up to the forum so you can understand the decision process. Like I said, some will 'doubt' our intentions and others will just not support the site - and all thats ok. Let me tell you what will free with no changes.<br><br>
1. The Running Log - Free - period - we are working to place ads in the running log area to help offset the costs of development and future growth, but the log will be free<br>
2. The forums and training areas - Free.<br>
3. PM's - Free - All members will have 50 pm's (minimum) and access to everything you have access to now<br><br><br>
What are we looking to offer in the 'premium' package<br>
1. Ad free (100%) forum and front page area as well as in the running log.<br>
2. Choice of Templates (free membership will have just the 'default' template with the ad bar on the left. As new templates are added, premium members will have access to them<br>
3. Custom Titles - as a premium member, you will be able to create your own custom title - Free Members can still 'earn' a custom title by referring people to the site (as you can now)<br>
4. Chatbox - this new feature will be available for the premium membership - We're looking at a newer robust chatbox with additional functionality - but in the interim, the current chatbox will be the one we'll use<br>
5. Custom Group - buddy functionality - this is part of the new Vbulletin software upgrade (version 3.7). The version is in the final beta testing by the developer. Once completed, we'll be upgrading our site to add the new features. Part of those features include 'custom buddy groups' - galleries, blog and other features - all will be available to the premium members.<br>
6. Graphics in the signature line<br><br>
and more to be added....<br><br><br>
I'm hoping we'll be able to get enough members to subscribe to the premium package that will help offset the cost of the site. I'm posting this in the PRT, because this still is the most active forum on the site. I'd appreciate it if you let the other forum regulars know about this post and invite them to read and comment.<br><br>
Feel free to post your thoughts and feelings - if you would rather pm me, that's fine also.<br><br>
Kickrunners.com is kickrunners.com not because of me - but because of all of you. I think it only right that all of YOU help decide the future of kickrunners.com<br><br><br>
thanks<br><br><br>
rich<br><br><br>
So... The
As many of you know (and perhaps, some of you don't know) - this site is 100% funded by 'yours truly'. Hard to believe we've come so far from almost closing the site down last year. But, we stuck it out and after 2007, we've grown to where I'm required to have a dedicated server and can no longer host this site on a 'shared host' site.<br><br>
I figured I'd give you guys a 'full-disclosure' of what the financial implications of the growth and let you know what our plan is to get the site 'cost neutral' - I'm not looking to make a 'profit' on the site - I'd just like the site to generate enough revenue to pay for itself and get enough to pay back my brother for the running log development. (he paid his programmer to write the log)<br><br><br>
What does that mean? About $100 a month verses $5.00 a month. That's the cost to host this site. This doesn't include the cost of the actual vbulletin software upgrades and support (which is about 50 a year or so) - the upgrade to the newest version will be a bit more, but the added features will be worth it - I think<br><br><br>
The running log costs: So far, to get the log where it currently is - has run about $2500.00. We've got a 'volunteer' who is now taking over the project to finish the log and add the multi-sport functionality - but the money already spent is still there.<br><br><br>
So - what to do?<br><br><b>Ads?</b> Well - after 4 months of ads, we've yet to earn enough to pay for one months of server fees - I'm sure if I loaded ads everywhere, we'd probably increase the overall revenue - but I hate having the ads I currently have as it is - so I can't do that to this site.<br><br><b>Donations?</b> I've had many people ask to 'donate' to the costs of the site. And although I appreciate the offer, I don't believe it is a long term solution to the viability of the site. It may help us pay down the running log bill, and if the ads could sustain the stie, then I might consider that - but I don't believe that will happen.<br><br><b>Subscription/Premium package?</b> This seems the most viable alternative - but even this is scary. I mean, there are '100% free sites' out there, right? Why 'pay' to keep kickrunners.com around? there's runnningahead.com and chrunners.net and active.com - to name a few. And I'm sure, that if we implement the 'premium' package, we'll probably lose some members to those sites - which again, is just part of the 'internet -forum' experience.<br><br>
So... I've been struggling with this for 5 months (actually, longer - but only since we've gone to the dedicated server)...<br><br>
Here are our thoughts - and I'm opening this up to the forum so you can understand the decision process. Like I said, some will 'doubt' our intentions and others will just not support the site - and all thats ok. Let me tell you what will free with no changes.<br><br>
1. The Running Log - Free - period - we are working to place ads in the running log area to help offset the costs of development and future growth, but the log will be free<br>
2. The forums and training areas - Free.<br>
3. PM's - Free - All members will have 50 pm's (minimum) and access to everything you have access to now<br><br><br>
What are we looking to offer in the 'premium' package<br>
1. Ad free (100%) forum and front page area as well as in the running log.<br>
2. Choice of Templates (free membership will have just the 'default' template with the ad bar on the left. As new templates are added, premium members will have access to them<br>
3. Custom Titles - as a premium member, you will be able to create your own custom title - Free Members can still 'earn' a custom title by referring people to the site (as you can now)<br>
4. Chatbox - this new feature will be available for the premium membership - We're looking at a newer robust chatbox with additional functionality - but in the interim, the current chatbox will be the one we'll use<br>
5. Custom Group - buddy functionality - this is part of the new Vbulletin software upgrade (version 3.7). The version is in the final beta testing by the developer. Once completed, we'll be upgrading our site to add the new features. Part of those features include 'custom buddy groups' - galleries, blog and other features - all will be available to the premium members.<br>
6. Graphics in the signature line<br><br>
and more to be added....<br><br><br>
I'm hoping we'll be able to get enough members to subscribe to the premium package that will help offset the cost of the site. I'm posting this in the PRT, because this still is the most active forum on the site. I'd appreciate it if you let the other forum regulars know about this post and invite them to read and comment.<br><br>
Feel free to post your thoughts and feelings - if you would rather pm me, that's fine also.<br><br>
Kickrunners.com is kickrunners.com not because of me - but because of all of you. I think it only right that all of YOU help decide the future of kickrunners.com<br><br><br>
thanks<br><br><br>
rich<br><br><br>
So... The
