Do donations actually work?

Discussion in 'General Business' started by Le GoogelGuRu, Apr 30, 2007.

  1. #1
    My non-profit arcade website isn't doing too well. While I don't want to make money from it, I just want to rake up $10.50 a month for the domain and hosting. Additional money will be saved for next month's payment. Anyway, so far I've made absolutely nothing. Google Ads aren't helping at all so I was thinking about setting up a Paypal donate button.

    I just want to know, do many people donate, especially on gaming websites?

    I considered having popups once but since I doubt my users would like that I decided not to.
     
    Le GoogelGuRu, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  2. Kalyse

    Kalyse Peon

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    #2
    Well, how many unique visitors a day do you get?
     
    Kalyse, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  3. 8everything

    8everything Peon

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    #3
    Why not offer something in return? Like a section for donors to place their website link there..
     
    8everything, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  4. FOX LORE

    FOX LORE Notable Member

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    #4
    So far no luck on my site so i just took it off. it might be related to the type of traffic you get,thou?
     
    FOX LORE, Apr 30, 2007 IP
    imteaz likes this.
  5. imteaz

    imteaz Notable Member

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    #5
    its all depends what kind of site you got. if those visitor visit regularly, and it is a friendly forum or site, if this site offer soemthing cool, then yahin this case donation works. and its works very well:)
     
    imteaz, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  6. rcj662

    rcj662 Guest

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    #6
    Never hurts to try. Takes you a minute to add donate button so why not. Make donation say help support this site.
     
    rcj662, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  7. Le GoogelGuRu

    Le GoogelGuRu Guest

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    #7
    I just added one. Donate $10 for a link.

    These are my stats for the past 9 days the site has been online.

    [​IMG]

    The majority of visitors are from the United States, then the UK and Canada.
     
    Le GoogelGuRu, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  8. eddy2099

    eddy2099 Peon

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    #8
    Yes, I agree, there is definitely no harm in adding the Donation Button but do not rely on donations to sustain the website, make sure that you actually have existing funds to pay for expenses. Donations just comes in as a bonus to cover part of the cost, if they do come in.
     
    eddy2099, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  9. Dev0115

    Dev0115 Peon

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    #9
    I doubt you will get donations from an arcade site, most of the kids visiting your site wont even know what paypal is, yet alone have an account. You might get a donation once in a while, most donation forums usually do with Cars, atleast from my experiences.
     
    Dev0115, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  10. D_J

    D_J Peon

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    #10
    I agree with Dev. I don't see too many arcade site visitors willing to donate money, especially with all the vBulletin and IPB arcades that are available for free. The only exception I see is if you actually made your own games, or had games made that only you had.
     
    D_J, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  11. Swapw

    Swapw Well-Known Member

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    #11
    Why not work with some advertisers? and put some ad toward the end of each game play? When you work with them, that may generate you some cash. Pop-ups are hated by just about everyone period so I won't go that route. The donations hmm...I think similar to previous posts. I don't think it'll work, depending on the type of game I'm assuming these kids need to sleep before 12. The last thing their parents want them to do is to play that late. One more suggestion, why not incorporate some more advanced games into your site with a small fee per month?
     
    Swapw, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  12. shadow_boi

    shadow_boi Peon

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    #12
    i don't think donation is going to work for your specific site, namely, a arcade site. Because the main audiences are kids and teenagers. They may not even know what paypal is...
     
    shadow_boi, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  13. ringtonegeezer

    ringtonegeezer Peon

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    #13
    Why not become a TV minister?

    They seem to make people send them money and drive around in flash cars and have large bank balances and houses everywhere.
     
    ringtonegeezer, Apr 30, 2007 IP
  14. john269

    john269 Notable Member

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    #14
    You have to remember that your site is new, it has been online for 9 days, so the chances of your making money is slim. If you have never done affiliate marketing before then you will probably do things wrong quite a lot to start of with. Also you are getting around 9 pageviews per visitor, don't rely on that is it is the most inaccurate stats going when it comes to telling you have many pageviews you are getting per visitor on average.

    I get around 20 - 30 pageviews on average when infact I know I am getting around 4 - 8 pageviews on average.

    Anyway, good luck with your project.
     
    john269, May 1, 2007 IP
  15. ReadyToGo

    ReadyToGo Peon

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    #15
    I've tried it before with no luck. But the traffic for that site was low, though.
     
    ReadyToGo, May 1, 2007 IP
  16. ringtonegeezer

    ringtonegeezer Peon

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    #16
    Lets face it if people do not have to spend money they will NOT.
     
    ringtonegeezer, May 1, 2007 IP
  17. infonote

    infonote Well-Known Member

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    #17
    Use CPM ads not PPC.
     
    infonote, May 1, 2007 IP
  18. Paul8368

    Paul8368 Well-Known Member

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    #18
    Personally I wouldn't donate and not expect something in return what about a nominal registration fee or maybe a bonus option if you register with the site?
     
    Paul8368, May 1, 2007 IP
  19. guppyman

    guppyman Banned

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    #19
    I doubt donation will work.
     
    guppyman, May 1, 2007 IP
  20. john269

    john269 Notable Member

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    #20
    I don't think it will work as it's hard enough to sell stuff online to earn money than hoping to get it for free.
     
    john269, May 1, 2007 IP