SLKWorld Future: the members' view - Page 2

cyberdrakon · 06-11-2008

The last three times SLKworld's future was to be called into question. twice the entire threads disappeared right after i posted, once, my post was singled out and deleted.

Anyway, I'll just attribute it to ghost's in the machine.

1.) At this point, we all know you have spent a LOT of your own money, would you be willing to let someone else take over the site, and just give up your losses, or if you can't run the site, and can't sell it to cover the current costs, you would rather just let it die?
2.) How much would it cost to break all the contracts you have and sell the hardware or let some of us run it on our own machines on a shared hosting plan? Could we not setup the site to run in 2 segments, where premium users log onto one server which is always on, and guests log on to a shared site?
3.) Would you let us members buy you out of your contracts and let us run the site?

Ikarus · 06-11-2008

I support everyone thinking about reducing cost, but it looks like savings won't materialize in the short term and at this point, there isn't even any money to spend on implementing those measures. The only option for now is increasing revenue. Ads don't seem to work. My suggestion is to close access to the site for guests. Everyone has to login. Also, non-paying members should not be getting access to certain content, e.g. tutorials, in order to give them an incentive and a permanent reminder that good things don't come for free.

Tummy · 06-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill T

here is from our google ad sense (banner ads) for this month

Page impressions 22,525
Clicks 5
income $1.08

Eddy has seen these reports he may still have the login info

We use adsense on our Clue boardgame website.

Here is what it says for May:
Page Impressions: 37,776
Clicks: 47
Page CTR: 0.12%
Page eCPM: $0.30
Earnings: $11.23

That's not enough to pay for our expenses, but I would think with a more active forum, the ad revenue could be greater.

We only have ads on the forums and have only 256 members, mostly teenagers who don't buy anything. I think one thing you can do is use "AdSense for Content" which puts textual ads relevant to the topic of discussion. Some of the ads it comes up with are actually interesting.

We also use PHPBB and are on a shared hosting plan from Pair.com that costs $17.95 / month. I also run a few other sites on there, but mostly use it to host my personal email address. The domain costs something like $10 / yr.

**Cold Shot** · 06-11-2008

It's interesting to me that this issue is very similiar to one we faced when I worked for a large media company with about a dozen major market newspapers. We could not find enough revenue stream from online operations to justify keeping the sites going. Sites like chicagotribune.com and latimes.com are losing propositions, yet the people that do use them find them invaluable.

Even the Wall Street Journal - which charges for premium access - has debated their strategy of finding revenue within select content that is not available to all visitors (for a specified time).

I and many others would probably be OK with no or very little access for non-paying visitors. The only way this would work is to have a very compelling content library and feature set that would entice those casual visitors to pay. No supporting donations = no: search, albums, tutorials, locked threads, messaging, premium sections, etc.

I don't think we need the store. A section (premium access only) that provides links to our favorite vendors and suppliers might be enough. Also didn't care for the arcade. It was a nice distraction, but we can find those elsewhere. I come here for the cars and the community. That should be the focus.

On a good note, we are about 30% through this month and more 55% in monthly contributions are now rolling in. Let's hope that continues this month so we have a little more time to help Bill arrive at a comfortable and economically feasible solution.

Thanks to all who support this site, and care enough to have this conversation.

**etyu** · 06-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill T

Eddy has seen these reports he may still have the login info

I checked it that one time. For security reasons I deleted the password, just to be safe.

**webslinger** · 06-11-2008

Well i stuck a piece of paper with slkworld.com scrawled on it in the door of an R170 in our company parking lot. We'll see if we get a new member from it.

-Webslinger

mtiede · 06-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tummy

...I think one thing you can do is use "AdSense for Content" which puts textual ads relevant to the topic of discussion. ...

LOL. I think this was one of the very things that was the straw the broke the camel's back when several of us gave up on using another MB forum and joined Bill here. I think we users need to be paying. (my check will be in the mail tomorrow...)

**dltslk** · 06-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill T

there are cards for this, most members that have ordered from the store have them, please PM me and I will send you some

Nice cards too, MightyJoe and I have been passing them around in Atlanta.

cyberdrakon · 06-11-2008

Wow, what a 'coincidence', now my membership has been refunded. I guess that means I'm one of those that have contributed a lot...? Has there been some mistake?

**webslinger** · 06-12-2008

Is all this whatever it is the reason the donation level went from
$330.xx back down to $240.xx??

I'm really confused now.

**beverage** · 06-12-2008

My donation was refunded that I paid yesterday. I'd orginally assumed it was because it came from the UK, and know Bill said earlier on in this thread that it costs more in fees to process a European Paypal transaction.

But after reading this thread, I understand why.

However, I'll keep my donation to one side and will try again with it next month!!!

**SLKCop** · 06-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill T

slkcop and many others have also got a refund.

members who got a refund please let cyber know he is not alone

Yes, I got a refund, but I really intended my funds to support the site.

**SLKCop** · 06-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill T

Ther is always next month

Going to change the code to only allow one donation per member a month. I think that is a fair thing.

Have no doubts about it...it'll be ready for next month! Thanks

cyberdrakon · 06-12-2008

Ok, thanks Bill, i still think if we decide to spend money at the site, the site should keep it, with no one getting a refund unless they ask.

**richard_leeds** · 06-12-2008

Thnkas for all the background info Bill, it really helps us all feel more joined up when we know what is going on. I hope the sharing helps you too.

Could you post a pdf for the cards? We could print them ourselves.

Also, how about a "who we are" page to explain how the site started and how it is run.

cyberdrakon · 06-26-2008

Hm...what happened? i thought the goals for this month were met, how come it is now up to $650?

**Cruzer 8** · 07-15-2008

Don't get on much anymore ---- but since we sold the SLK and got the SL ---- Bill open a special section for the SL ---- this told me alot about the site ( Bill ) and I have put my 2 pennies in on this subject more than once.
1. Bill started , owns and runs the site
2. I don't care if he makes a profit I figure that he should and Dan also !!!!
3. I have browsed other sites there is no comparison !!!!
4. The only answer to the continuation of this site is money, not the hardware or soft ware type or cost. You get what you pay for and this is the best site that I know of
I think Bill built the site like Mercedes builds its cars --- quality.
5. No one got their cars for free and I'm sure you don't loan them out for weekend drives just for anybody that asks.
6. Solution ( and after all the words are said ) Quit talking and pay or don't pay and lose the site.

Won't thank Bill done that enough but will think all the paying members

06-11-2008	#24 (permalink)
Cold Shot Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Vehicle: 2007 SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 ML 350 Posts: 615 Country: Thanks: 83 Thanked 67 Times in 33 Posts	It's interesting to me that this issue is very similiar to one we faced when I worked for a large media company with about a dozen major market newspapers. We could not find enough revenue stream from online operations to justify keeping the sites going. Sites like chicagotribune.com and latimes.com are losing propositions, yet the people that do use them find them invaluable. Even the Wall Street Journal - which charges for premium access - has debated their strategy of finding revenue within select content that is not available to all visitors (for a specified time). I and many others would probably be OK with no or very little access for non-paying visitors. The only way this would work is to have a very compelling content library and feature set that would entice those casual visitors to pay. No supporting donations = no: search, albums, tutorials, locked threads, messaging, premium sections, etc. I don't think we need the store. A section (premium access only) that provides links to our favorite vendors and suppliers might be enough. Also didn't care for the arcade. It was a nice distraction, but we can find those elsewhere. I come here for the cars and the community. That should be the focus. On a good note, we are about 30% through this month and more 55% in monthly contributions are now rolling in. Let's hope that continues this month so we have a little more time to help Bill arrive at a comfortable and economically feasible solution. Thanks to all who support this site, and care enough to have this conversation. __________________ "Like a Cold Shot, baby" - Stevie Ray Vaughan To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2007 Black/Black SLK55 AMG (Green Filters, SmartTop V1, Eurolight Clear Side Markers, R170 Modded Antenna) 2007 Pewter/Black ML350 19xx White/Blonde Wife (Lmtd Edition Model)

06-12-2008	#31 (permalink)
beverage Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cumbria, UK Vehicle: R171 2005 SLK200 Kompressor Other Toys: Cars & Computers Posts: 103 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 2 Posts	My donation was refunded that I paid yesterday. I'd orginally assumed it was because it came from the UK, and know Bill said earlier on in this thread that it costs more in fees to process a European Paypal transaction. But after reading this thread, I understand why. However, I'll keep my donation to one side and will try again with it next month!!! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-15-2008	#37 (permalink)
Cruzer 8 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Vehicle: 07 SL 550 Mars Red Posts: 572 Country: Thanks: 31 Thanked 56 Times in 27 Posts	Don't get on much anymore ---- but since we sold the SLK and got the SL ---- Bill open a special section for the SL ---- this told me alot about the site ( Bill ) and I have put my 2 pennies in on this subject more than once. 1. Bill started , owns and runs the site 2. I don't care if he makes a profit I figure that he should and Dan also !!!! 3. I have browsed other sites there is no comparison !!!! 4. The only answer to the continuation of this site is money, not the hardware or soft ware type or cost. You get what you pay for and this is the best site that I know of I think Bill built the site like Mercedes builds its cars --- quality. 5. No one got their cars for free and I'm sure you don't loan them out for weekend drives just for anybody that asks. 6. Solution ( and after all the words are said ) Quit talking and pay or don't pay and lose the site. Won't thank Bill done that enough but will think all the paying members __________________ GENE ---- See My Pic's To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.* SL 550 Mars Red

06-11-2008	#21 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	The last three times SLKworld's future was to be called into question. twice the entire threads disappeared right after i posted, once, my post was singled out and deleted. Anyway, I'll just attribute it to ghost's in the machine. 1.) At this point, we all know you have spent a LOT of your own money, would you be willing to let someone else take over the site, and just give up your losses, or if you can't run the site, and can't sell it to cover the current costs, you would rather just let it die? 2.) How much would it cost to break all the contracts you have and sell the hardware or let some of us run it on our own machines on a shared hosting plan? Could we not setup the site to run in 2 segments, where premium users log onto one server which is always on, and guests log on to a shared site? 3.) Would you let us members buy you out of your contracts and let us run the site?

06-11-2008	#22 (permalink)
Ikarus Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 w. 6M Other Toys: 2000 New Beetle GLS w. 5M Posts: 596 Country: Thanks: 18 Thanked 40 Times in 20 Posts	I support everyone thinking about reducing cost, but it looks like savings won't materialize in the short term and at this point, there isn't even any money to spend on implementing those measures. The only option for now is increasing revenue. Ads don't seem to work. My suggestion is to close access to the site for guests. Everyone has to login. Also, non-paying members should not be getting access to certain content, e.g. tutorials, in order to give them an incentive and a permanent reminder that good things don't come for free.

06-11-2008	#26 (permalink)
webslinger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Vehicle: '07 SLK55 AMG Other Toys: Honda motorcycle Posts: 549 Country: Thanks: 22 Thanked 22 Times in 14 Posts	Well i stuck a piece of paper with slkworld.com scrawled on it in the door of an R170 in our company parking lot. We'll see if we get a new member from it. -Webslinger

06-11-2008	#29 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Wow, what a 'coincidence', now my membership has been refunded. I guess that means I'm one of those that have contributed a lot...? Has there been some mistake?

06-12-2008	#30 (permalink)
webslinger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Vehicle: '07 SLK55 AMG Other Toys: Honda motorcycle Posts: 549 Country: Thanks: 22 Thanked 22 Times in 14 Posts	Is all this whatever it is the reason the donation level went from $330.xx back down to $240.xx?? I'm really confused now.

06-12-2008	#34 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Ok, thanks Bill, i still think if we decide to spend money at the site, the site should keep it, with no one getting a refund unless they ask.

06-12-2008	#35 (permalink)
richard_leeds Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Leeds, UK Vehicle: 05 350 Posts: 203 Country: Thanks: 12 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Thnkas for all the background info Bill, it really helps us all feel more joined up when we know what is going on. I hope the sharing helps you too. Could you post a pdf for the cards? We could print them ourselves. Also, how about a "who we are" page to explain how the site started and how it is run.

06-26-2008	#36 (permalink)
cyberdrakon Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SoCal, USA Vehicle: SLK55 2006 Other Toys: 560SEC 1990, CLK500 2005 Posts: 1,399 Country: Thanks: 24 Thanked 63 Times in 42 Posts	Hm...what happened? i thought the goals for this month were met, how come it is now up to $650?

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