Future of the forum

[ched999uk]

Despite how much ? is said about them on here, perhaps it's worth reaching out to some of the YouTube creators, I've spoken to a few of them and I think they would definitely push a community like this if they believed it was helping fellow windies. 

I found this forum from a Green Pro video, for example. They all speak to the target audience of this forum, so to encourage them to get involved here would probably work wonders.

There are a few that are members:

@Sid Partridge Exterior Cleaning 

@Old School Window Cleaner Lee aka Complete Exterior Cleaning services

@Paul Hickmott - A.E.Mackintosh's mate

None have many posts but you never know.

 

[ched999uk]

@Gavin Forgot to say if you need any help with coding etc just let me know. I am no expert but can usually manage.

 

[Master Jedi Alejandro]

Honestly even if we could just get that lost £200 a month back that would be helpful. I just don't want to have to check ads at everything but it's possible that's the only real solution. 

That's only 33 folk signing up for a paid membership. Surely their are 33 folk that frequent here that are on free? What about pulling a Wikipedia and posting a message at the top of each section asking for donations ?

 

[Master Jedi Alejandro]

@Gavin I just went to upgrade my membership and its no longer giving me the option, but I also can't select the new £6 option. Any ideas? I should have been paying £6 from the start but forgot to upgrade it to be honest. 

 

[Gavin]

@Gavin I just went to upgrade my membership and its no longer giving me the option, but I also can't select the new £6 option. Any ideas? I should have been paying £6 from the start but forgot to upgrade it to be honest. 

Ah yes that would be due to me removing the other subscription options. I will need to cancel your current one and then you should be able to see the option to setup the new one. 

 

[Iron Giant]

The subscription idea in theory is good, but very view signed up, the ones that complained about ad's some signed up some didn't as far as I can see and I might be wrong there is less than 6 subscribers, 

Support from the wider wc community via youtubers would be good they wouldn't need to do too much surely to point people towards the forum it would also be very good if they became active participating members,

IMHO stick with this forum software and up the adds to cover the running costs, switching back over will take hours on end @Gavin and you are running a full time business yourself as well as juggling family life and this forum, sit back for a day or two and mull over the input from members and let us all decide the best option together  

 

[Alex Gardiner]

Thanks. I'm not just focusing on money. I also want the forum to be as active and busy as it used to be. That was when the ads were very minimal. Honestly I hate ads on forums it just ruins the flow of everything so if I had my way I would have no ads on the forum apart from sponsor ads but sadly it's not enough. I don't really need to make a profit from the forum I just need it to make enough to pay for itself. I will listed and see where we go. 

First and foremost I think moving to another forum software is what's needed and then we can look at everything else once moved as that will take some time and adjusting and tweaking. I will setup a focus group thread in the members only area which I will reinstate. So anyone who wants to contribute to ideas and moving forward can do. 

Hi Gavin

Only just come across this ?

My point of view:

1. Go back to the old software if it is much cheaper (which I preferred as seemed simpler). Paying out for expensive forum software is a continuing drain on something that is not your main business.

2. A limited number of google ads are fine, but with option of a member subscription to remove them.

3. Make anyone who is a supplier pay a subscription which then allows them to post and have a link on their signature line. "Another Forum" charges from £250 per year for each supplier to be allowed to place a product/website link on their posts and a website link on the signature line. They do then have to 'police' this so that is a little extra work to factor in.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Gavin]

Hi Gavin

Only just come across this ?

My point of view:

1. Go back to the old software if it is much cheaper (which I preferred as seemed simpler). Paying out for expensive forum software is a continuing drain on something that is not your main business.

2. A limited number of google ads are fine, but with option of a member subscription to remove them.

3. Make anyone who is a supplier pay a subscription which then allows them to post and have a link on their signature line. "Another Forum" charges from £250 per year for each supplier to be allowed to place a product/website link on their posts and a website link on the signature line. They do then have to 'police' this so that is a little extra work to factor in.

Just my thoughts.

Thanks Alex

 

[Damo]

Hi Gavin

Only just come across this ?

My point of view:

1. Go back to the old software if it is much cheaper (which I preferred as seemed simpler). Paying out for expensive forum software is a continuing drain on something that is not your main business.

2. A limited number of google ads are fine, but with option of a member subscription to remove them.

3. Make anyone who is a supplier pay a subscription which then allows them to post and have a link on their signature line. "Another Forum" charges from £250 per year for each supplier to be allowed to place a product/website link on their posts and a website link on the signature line. They do then have to 'police' this so that is a little extra work to factor in.

Just my thoughts.

I have paid for banner subscriptions to promote my franchise business in the past. I didn’t really get anything from it but boosted my website for a bit. 
 

Could you not do a different price scale on the banners? As essentially I was paying the same as a shop per month, whom would definitely benefit more from a banner than me. 

 

[Master Jedi Alejandro]

3. Make anyone who is a supplier pay a subscription which then allows them to post and have a link on their signature line. "Another Forum" charges from £250 per year for each supplier to be allowed to place a product/website link on their posts and a website link on the signature line. They do then have to 'police' this so that is a little extra work to factor in.

Think this is pretty awesome idea, more so considering its coming from Alex, who is exactly who it will cost if implemented! 

 

[K in Kent]

Same here, just upgraded my subscription. Everyone who has found value in here and now earns more as a result could probably afford the equivalent of buying Gav a coffee a month. 

I think the ads are fine and appreciate the time, effort, expertise and expense gone into this forum. Just go to CIU, the difference in quality is surprising. 

Yes, quite right. I think Gav should not only be covering costs but is entitled to be making a healthy profit out of it considering the resources and skills needed to create and maintain it.

And yeah, the other forum is an awful place. I haven't looked in a long time but I very much doubt it's changed. If you're part of the clique then everything you say is gospel (even when factually inaccurate), and if not a member of the gang you're irrelevant. Whereas this forum is run by a decent bloke, has decent moderators (now someone isn't involved anymore) and has got decent members at the core of it who are genuinely knowledgeable, experienced and happy to help, not critical. This has a far better environment.

Bring back the ads and do whatever is required.

 

[Iron Giant]

Think this is pretty awesome idea, more so considering its coming from Alex, who is exactly who it will cost if implemented! 

Totally agree, I'd say there is 3 main suppliers who come on here and help out members but also I'd imagine they benefit from a good amount sales as they usually the most recommended by other members as well. 

 

[P4dstar]

@Gavin I just went to upgrade my membership and its no longer giving me the option, but I also can't select the new £6 option. Any ideas? I should have been paying £6 from the start but forgot to upgrade it to be honest. 

Right, well done, you’ve shamed me into it. How do I upgrade to £6 @gav? 

 

[Iron Giant]

Right, well done, you’ve shamed me into it. How do I upgrade to £6 @gav? 

Just need to shame a few more into the membership now ?

 

[Part Timer]

Just need to shame a few more into the membership now ?

Including you ?

 

[Gavin]

Ok in regard to the subscriptions. I am going to have to pause any new ones for now as they can not be transfered to the new software anyway. So anyone that is currently subscribing will have to resubscribe on the new software. Those already subscribed will get a full month or year (depending on your purchased plan) added to your account from the point we switch over so you dont lose out.

 

[P4dstar]

Including you ?

 

[Iron Giant]

Including you ?

All in hand, as always my good man..

All us regulars including staff could all pay subs as we all earn £500 a day so can quite easily afford £6 a month, but I've told my wife she'll have to cut back on the wine 

 

[kevinc250]

All in hand, as always my good man..

All us regulars including staff could all pay subs as we all earn £500 a day so can quite easily afford £6 a month, but I've told my wife she'll have to cut back on the wine 

now, thats a brave man? did you do it by text?

 

[P4dstar]

All in hand, as always my good man..

All us regulars including staff could all pay subs as we all earn £500 a day so can quite easily afford £6 a month, but I've told my wife she'll have to cut back on the wine 

I told the missus I was moving it up to £6. The kids will have to miss a meal once a week, it’ll all be fine.

 

[Iron Giant]

now, thats a brave man? did you do it by text?

Not that daft, with my memory I'd forget and get a hiding later, I stood in the front door as she had a kitchen knife in her hand, I got chased up the driveway and around the front garden, the neighbours enjoyed the performance and I got ? when I evaded capture