This has to be addressed sooner or later. I'd rather do it sooner so we stay ahead of any possible issues. Growth can be slow but it can also happen overnight.

The site is currently hosted on a shared hosting plan. This basically means limited admin options/access and one server can host hundred's of different websites. I think the site has been pretty reliable and pretty fast so far. There were a few times when the site was unavailable for a few hours but nothing too bad.

There are a few options:

1) Donations from members and visitors
2) Advertising (Google) for visitors
3) Advertising (Google) for members and visitors
3) Advertising (sponsors) listings/links in dedicated Sponsor forum
4) Membership upgrades - offer additional features, do not show advertising for paid members etc.
5) No funding, this site should be free to use without advertising

How should a site like this be funded? I would like it to be independent as much as possible but it should also be a quality, reliable site with new features and software for many years to come.

You are the customer so let's vote and discuss how it should be funded. Any other ideas? You can vote for one or more in the poll.

my vote goes to step 5.
a free forum is the best choice to get members and visitors.

In a perfect world, I would love to have this forum kept free, but to keep it running costs money. Wulf set this up, well knowing that, but I see no reason why he shouldn't make a little something to cover the costs, and even if he gets some on top. That being said, the last thing I want is where you are forced to pay for it, or the ads become distracting and take up the whole page, but I wouldn't mind a small ad that takes up blank space, for example like at other forums (SC). I also think donations would be great. While I doubt many would actually donate, I know people will. While it will be small, ever penny can count towards new features, and maintenance for the site.

Um...the only fundraising I've ever liked doing/partaking in is putting on tractor-pulls and selling tee shirts

I can say I am all _against_ membership upgrades. And we see what has happened to SC, them being in the pocket of PartsForSaabs and all, but I do think we could do better than that. If we could get parts sites to give us exclusive deals, coupons, etc, that would be very nice. I haven't voted in the poll yet, because I really have no idea. Like Shazam, I would love to have this forum kept free, but I'm a nice guy, so I won't expect Wulf to fund this forever.

Perhaps a hybrid solution is best. A few unobtrusive ads which Wulf could modulate in quantity depending on how much money goes through them, donations, a tee-shirt, and maybe a sponsor coupon deal once we're bigger.

I wish my best for SAAB-world and I will keep in the line of the leaders thoughts and goals.
as a visitor we all can be considered as ambassadors of Saab's name. dealers and car makers are passing the crisis time, also some visitors...
What ever is good for for SAABworld.net ......."welcome to forum sponsors"

Thanks for the feedback so far. You probably noticed the new Sponsors forum already. We just have to see how it goes and adjust over time.

There is a lot of free open source software available, including forums. There are also inexpensive web hosting options available so you can run a site on the cheap. I just want to stay ahead of potential problems and offer the best and fastest site experience possible. As usual, you get what you pay for.

Tires & Co. - The expert for discount tires online

Thanks for the link. I'll check to see if they have an affiliates program. I was also coming across this European tyre company. Are they well known and have a good reputation in Europe?

tyres online @ mytyres.co.uk: tyre dealer for cheap passenger, summer, winter tyres
Reifen online @ ReifenDirekt.de: Winterreifen, Sommerreifen, Pkw-Reifen und Reifenhandel

This same company also has a US site but I am not familiar with them: tires online @ tires-easy.com: tire dealer for cheap passenger, summer, winter tires

PRIMACY HP 235/45 R17 94W

UK
mytyres.co.uk - Details: Michelin PRIMACY HP 235/45 R17 94W with rim protectionleiste, M0, BSW, GRNX
132 pounds
$204.4

GERMANY
ReifenDirekt.de - Details: Michelin PRIMACY HP 235/45 R17 94W mit Felgenschutzleiste, M0, BSW, GRNX
146.7€
$193

USA
tires-easy.com - Details: Michelin PRIMACY HP 235/45 R17 94Y with rim protectionleiste, BSW, GRNX
$265

SPAIN:
neumaticos-online.com - Detalles: Michelin PRIMACY HP 235/45 R17 94W con protector de llantaleiste, M0, BSW, GRNX
146.9€
$193.3

CHEAPER $178
Neumáticos for SAAB 9-3 2.8 V6 T 250 235/45 R17 94 W - POPGOM.es
135.5€
$178

please note: in Europe there is a promotion discount, no in UK and USA.
well, one of the Michelin factories is located in Aranda del Duero, Spain. I have been using Michelin tires for long time ago with a good comfort and durability ride without issues. many people buy tires online in Spain.

also by trunk moto mobile assembled at your home for cheaper price.

could be michelin an sponsor for SAABworld?
Contact Us: Michelin Tires
Training - Careers at Michelin
Pylon - Contact Us

How much will I earn with AdSense?

I wouldn't mind paying for a sticker, with some "school money"

Adsense would only work if we would put that in an obvious location like the banner. Btu that's still a possibility for non-registered users. I really wouldn't want to bother the regular members with that.

The site already has been declined by Harbor Freigth, AutoZone, 21st Century Insurance and Geico. I guess we're not big enough for them just yet.

Still waiting for approval from TireRack, AutohausAZ, Advance Auto Parts, Allstate and Esurance. I don't think small places like Elkparts or eEuroparts don't have an affiliate program.

With the recent changes in ownership of other Saab forums, I have learned some/many of us really dislike advertising and commercial ownership of these kind of forums. Others simply don't care.

Moderators already are "paying" with their time in making sure the forums run smoothly. Many of the members already are "paying" with their time in participating in discussion and sharing their knowledge and helping others. I am getting "paid" when I see members helping others, sharing their knowledge, participating in discussions and just having fun here. It just seems wrong trying to profit from that with advertising.

As long as this is a fairly small site, expenses are really not that much. It's a hobby for all of us and I don't mind doing my share to make this the best Saab community. So there will be no advertising like site sponsors or Google ads. There are some very successful forum sites which run on these principles and those are the best forums to hang out at.

At some point with an increase of traffic and members, expenses for hosting this site may become a bit too much for being just a hobby. At that point, it seems best to ask for donations from members, visitors and perhaps companies who care about a public forum. Public radio and TV in the US (NPR and PBS) are primarily supported like this and they have the best content by far compared to commercial TV and radio stations.
About NPR: Support and Sponsor

Welcome to SaabWorld. A community site without ads, spam, popups, in-text advertising, subscriptions, user behavior tracking or other commercial exploitation.

Hey, that could be our slogan!

Originally Posted by Wulf

At some point with an increase of traffic and members, expenses for hosting this site may become a bit too much for being just a hobby. At that point, it seems best to ask for donations from members, visitors and perhaps companies who care about a public forum. Public radio and TV in the US (NPR and PBS) are primarily supported like this and they have the best content by far compared to commercial TV and radio stations.
About NPR: Support and Sponsor

Great way to run things in my opinion. I think a lot of people would be more than happy to donate, and I really can't see this site as being for profit.

Going to a for profit site is like watching Fox news. You know there's an alterior motive and things feel biased.

So how much is it costing you? I've had sites reliably hosted at hostgator for $15 a month with 80,000 hits per month and no performance issues.
Not sure what the traffic is here, but it would be nice to just have you come out and say "This is what my hosting plan costs" and just try to cover it each month.

I wouldn't mind something like a "premium membership" that would cost something like $1.00 / month.. Bill once a year or something. But really just a status symbol to say "I support the community". It shouldn't lock non-paying members out of features.

Originally Posted by SaabBoon

I wouldn't mind something like a "premium membership" that would cost something like $1.00 / month.. Bill once a year or something. But really just a status symbol to say "I support the community". It shouldn't lock non-paying members out of features.

+1

It isn't really costing me very much right now. I already had my own personal domain, mainly for email and hosting some personal stuff. But as you can see in this thread, we really should move the site to at least a VPS of some kind.
Site hosting

I am paying $7 a month so say SW is costing $3.50 a month. But besides site hosting, there also is the cost of software licenses. I think startup license fees was around $600 and you have to pay renewal fees to stay up-to-date with the latest fixes and features.

So no, I am not worried about paying $3.50 a month right now. It won't even mind covering the cost of a VPS for $30 to $50 a month. But I think members will also feel more involved if they can make a donation so it feels more like their site as well.

I am a bit surprised the site still keeps up pretty good with the traffic we have.
SW site statistics

I need to check to see what the numbers are for February. January had about 75K unique visits.

I have no problem paying "dues", for lack of a better, word to keep this site spam and ad free.

Guess the 2 simple options are
1) make direct donations to Wulf
2) a more formal system of "shareholders" contributing regularly,

I will happily be part of either.