viktorlantos
Aquascaper
I kind of like the idea to have supporters back the best UK Aquascaping forum. Not so many people knows that, but a site like this could cost up a thousand £ or more per year! And as we get more functions like mobile alert and many other stuff the site will need more and more power in the back. Luckily UKAPS is still moving growing, this is much better than have a forum which has thousands of registers and would be in a sleep mode because of the inactivity.
So there's a large hosting fee which will just increase even more after time. There are tons of hours both from funders, admins, moderators who contribute their time free. The events to get new clients and make the site more popular. Noone paying for that. But all is for one simple goal. Make this forum rock and keep the community together.
Sponsors come and go. Some may inactive a while ago but still listed as a sponsor. They may never give money but give equipment in exchange. We do know know but the industry is not a big daddy who pay big bucks to have some banners up on the forum. That's the reason why you usually not see any sponsors on other aquaristic board. This is a though business for everyone. Cross promo helps sometime to boost the hobby to another level.
I see the concerns and worries when money comes to the plate, but hey it is an option. Honestly how much you paid for your last setup or gear in an aquaristic shop? And how much advices you get compare to the one you get or found here at UKAPS. The numbers what i've seen above as an upgrade fee or call whatever you want is not a big thing. It's also not required it is just nice to keep this family and house together also even if you pay now that does not mean you need to pay for a lifetime. You can quit anytime or be a support just for a month. Sometimes even a montly tiny donate matter.
Paulo i have 2 ideas for the current upgrade user thing:
- pay x and you get an upgrade. as an extra these people could get a ukaps t-shirt. So support fee could be x or x+t-shirt fee then it would be a nice value also for the supporters plus they can use it at Aquaticslive and any other place where members can meet or even on the streets for daily use.
- or make the sales part a subscription based thing with a minimal fee like 1£/mo. Keep the give away for free stuff free, but have the sales part subscription based. which not required to renew, but you can use anytime. i know many people will not like it, but if this is a minimal fee this can baked into any sold plant, equipment etc by the posters.
So there's a large hosting fee which will just increase even more after time. There are tons of hours both from funders, admins, moderators who contribute their time free. The events to get new clients and make the site more popular. Noone paying for that. But all is for one simple goal. Make this forum rock and keep the community together.
Sponsors come and go. Some may inactive a while ago but still listed as a sponsor. They may never give money but give equipment in exchange. We do know know but the industry is not a big daddy who pay big bucks to have some banners up on the forum. That's the reason why you usually not see any sponsors on other aquaristic board. This is a though business for everyone. Cross promo helps sometime to boost the hobby to another level.
I see the concerns and worries when money comes to the plate, but hey it is an option. Honestly how much you paid for your last setup or gear in an aquaristic shop? And how much advices you get compare to the one you get or found here at UKAPS. The numbers what i've seen above as an upgrade fee or call whatever you want is not a big thing. It's also not required it is just nice to keep this family and house together also even if you pay now that does not mean you need to pay for a lifetime. You can quit anytime or be a support just for a month. Sometimes even a montly tiny donate matter.
Paulo i have 2 ideas for the current upgrade user thing:
- pay x and you get an upgrade. as an extra these people could get a ukaps t-shirt. So support fee could be x or x+t-shirt fee then it would be a nice value also for the supporters plus they can use it at Aquaticslive and any other place where members can meet or even on the streets for daily use.
- or make the sales part a subscription based thing with a minimal fee like 1£/mo. Keep the give away for free stuff free, but have the sales part subscription based. which not required to renew, but you can use anytime. i know many people will not like it, but if this is a minimal fee this can baked into any sold plant, equipment etc by the posters.