I think a great way for iNet to make some extra money, while at the same time weeding out more of the fly-by-night hosts, would be to start charging to post in the offers forum

Anywhere from $5-$15 per post would be suitable(5 for shared hosting, 10 for reseller/vps, 15 for dedicated, etc.).


This would help slow down the amount of threads being created in the offers section, give more value to each post with more potential reward for the web host, and help users who are looking for hosting since it would help limit it to more established hosts.

Thoughts/opinions?

I personally think this sounds like a great idea. If you cannot afford $5 to post a thread, then you need to rethink your business plan / business practice :). I'm sure it would go a small way to improving the quality of the offers posted in the offers section as well.

Making paid membership a requirement wouldn't be all that bad either. They already have paid advertising

If this was ever put in place, I think Premium Members should get free threads. (Within the current rules.)

Hmm I am not sure about this.
WHT is very easy to find through search engines because people can post that much.
You will probernly kill the knowledge of the site by people that use search engines.

Hmm I am not sure about this.
WHT is very easy to find through search engines because people can post that much.
You will probernly kill the knowledge of the site by people that use search engines.

I doubt by killing a few of the fly by night hosts threads in the advertising section will hurt very much :eek:

I don't think this is a good idea.

This sounds a good idea to me :) Even just $2.50/$3 - it'd stop some of the fly-by-night operations. If a host doesn't want to pay a small fee for good advertising, then chances are they aren't worth hosting with.

Making paid membership a requirement wouldn't be all that bad either. They already have paid advertising
Hmm I'm not sure - there are still people who use WHT to look for new hosts/ask questions about hosting in general etc. Making these forums paid only would probably just make this a board for *only* hosts to go.

...paid members only on advertising forums (instead of charging per post)

...paid members only on advertising forums (instead of charging per post)
Doh, sorry ;)

Yes, that makes sense :)

Any updates on this WHT staff? Could be something to look into? :)

When your members are begging to pay you for services they already enjoy use for free, I believe it's time to do something.

bad idea imo!

So because you are established you find it acceptable to prevent start up hosts with a smaller budget to advertise for their services? What about turning WHT into a private club for larger hosts? One of the worst ideas I have read in this forum. I believe the sticky posts are already serving those who can afford to pay for posting offers.

I would like to see a $15-25 per Offers post charge.

-mike

So because you are established you find it acceptable to prevent start up hosts with a smaller budget to advertise for their services? What about turning WHT into a private club for larger hosts? One of the worst ideas I have read in this forum. I believe the sticky posts are already serving those who can afford to pay for posting offers.
We're talking a few dollars here (or most of us are). Any host that can't afford $3 or so shouldn't really be in business in my humble opinion :)

I'm not established - I opened in 2009. But I can certainly afford a few dollars. :)

So because you are established you find it acceptable to prevent start up hosts with a smaller budget to advertise for their services? What about turning WHT into a private club for larger hosts? One of the worst ideas I have read in this forum. I believe the sticky posts are already serving those who can afford to pay for posting offers.

Paid membership is only about $4/mo. That puts your business overbudget?

I am against this idea entirely. Other than making iNet more money, it will not accomplish anything at all. People will still pay it and post the same it is now.

Really, all it is is a money maker for iNet. As if they don't already have enough ways to get revenue from this place.

I don't support this idea...

Paid membership is only about $4/mo. That puts your business overbudget?

Are you a premium member? Is that putting your business overbudget?

Are you a premium member? Is that putting your business overbudget?

What's your point? I never made that claim as the poster I was replying to did.

Hey,

I would say I think I like the idea of the premium membership (what $49/yr) having access to posting ads.

However I am not sure if that really does anything to stop the scammers etc. A typical add if good enough can bring in a few hundred (or at least the always did for me). So a Kiddie host as they call them could just float enough to do the post.

I guess its a 50 / 50, cool idea though.

I am against this idea entirely. Other than making iNet more money, it will not accomplish anything at all. People will still pay it and post the same it is now.

Really, all it is is a money maker for iNet. As if they don't already have enough ways to get revenue from this place.

rofl Dougy.

iNet's a business, run by business minded people. Businesses are in the market to make money and as much money as they possibly can. It's quite a common business plan actually. :stickout:

You'll usually find those businesses who don't follow that plan either fail or don't grow to their full potential and that in itself is a failure of sorts. ;)

I've always believed:

If there's and angle, figure out the best way to generate the most income from it.

owm

Paid membership is only about $4/mo. That puts your business overbudget?

This thread title is "Start charging to post in offers forum". Where did I say paid membership puts a business over budget? Your comment is completely irrelevant.

I think it's a pretty cool idea, but probably wouldn't work out. Maybe a per month fee for links in signatures? :laugh:

So because you are established you find it acceptable to prevent start up hosts with a smaller budget to advertise for their services? What about turning WHT into a private club for larger hosts? One of the worst ideas I have read in this forum. I believe the sticky posts are already serving those who can afford to pay for posting offers.

I liked the OP's idea until I read your post. You definitely bring up a good point.

Regards

So because you are established you find it acceptable to prevent start up hosts with a smaller budget to advertise for their services? What about turning WHT into a private club for larger hosts? One of the worst ideas I have read in this forum. I believe the sticky posts are already serving those who can afford to pay for posting offers.

The problem is so many start up hosts are over-night start ups. We are trying to prevent this. If you are serious about the business you will find a way to pay $50/yr to pay for premium to post in the advertising forums. This sounds like a very minimal amount to pay to get more business for your company.

So because you are established you find it acceptable to prevent start up hosts with a smaller budget to advertise for their services? What about turning WHT into a private club for larger hosts? One of the worst ideas I have read in this forum. I believe the sticky posts are already serving those who can afford to pay for posting offers.

LMAO! Exactly how small is your budget? If you can't afford $50 you need to find a new business to be in.

This thread title is "Start charging to post in offers forum". Where did I say paid membership puts a business over budget? Your comment is completely irrelevant.
I think he was saying that you are a premium member, but are arguing that this would be too expensive - but yet being a premium member is more expensive than posting up a $3 advert or something.

I can't see how *any* host - even the newest of the newest run by a 12 year old - couldn't afford $3? :)