User Donations

[secretprojects]

It isn't exactly monetisation, but I have been able to cover all my costs for 17 years via user donations.

This only works if your user view your forum as valuable to them, but I am able to raise money every few years via a donation request and get enough money to pay all costs (hosting, domain name, Xenforo license etc) for several years.

I run the site as a hobby, not a business, and I do all the admin work for free, but its nice not having to pay for it.

I've had individual donations of $200 US more than once.

I've been regularly approached to sell the forum and domain, but I'm not interested. Likewise with advertising. I generally dislike advertising on sites, so I don't want to put ads on my forum.

 

[aerodynamic]

Sounds like you have a solid user base there. That is having a successful forum. Congrats to you for such accomplishment.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

It isn't exactly monetisation, but I have been able to cover all my costs for 17 years via user donations.

This only works if your user view your forum as valuable to them, but I am able to raise money every few years via a donation request and get enough money to pay all costs (hosting, domain name, Xenforo license etc) for several years.

I run the site as a hobby, not a business, and I do all the admin work for free, but its nice not having to pay for it.

I've had individual donations of $200 US more than once.

I've been regularly approached to sell the forum and domain, but I'm not interested. Likewise with advertising. I generally dislike advertising on sites, so I don't want to put ads on my forum.

The way I see it you're doing it like Wikipedia does.

No ads. Being dependent on user donations.

If people like the content and website enough, they donate.

Your forums give your membership value

 

[Elseb]

It's something I'm going to add to my forum over the coming months to help with the monthly payments. I don't expect much but every little helps!

 

[Shawn Gossman]

It's something I'm going to add to my forum over the coming months to help with the monthly payments. I don't expect much but every little helps!

I think your member base will be glad to help! You have a nice community built up. When you get to that point, people care enough to donate to the server costs

 

[Elseb]

I think your member base will be glad to help! You have a nice community built up. When you get to that point, people care enough to donate to the server costs

Yeah they're a good bunch but I don't expect any money. Difficult time out there for everyone. Anything would be great!