Experimenting with Ads

[Kralik]

Don't be alarmed, just trying it out a bit to see if it helps with the costs.

* Kralik doesn't see them anyway...

[ket_the_jet]

I see them.
-wtk

[Kralik]

I don't particularly like ads*, but then when I looked at the numbers of page views each month and bandwidth used, I thought I'd see if it would help in some way.

*understatement

[ket_the_jet]

I would rather subsidize some of the costs of keeping the site up than have advertisements. And I haven't been nearly as active as my heyday.
-wtk

[Gate Troll]

Praise the Lord Kralik and pass the collection plate!

[jdizzy001]

I know...well nothing about hosting.  Kralik, what benefit do you gain thru ads?

[MR. Lurtzy]

I don't see them while logged in.

[ramolnar]

I see them. Are you getting paid for click-through or purchase?

[rubbercarp]

I see them.
Who are you hosted with?

[Kralik]

OK, let me try for a better explanation here:

I spent many hours yesterday researching hosting to see if I can find a new home for LotR GCCG. I would need a server with full root access (VPS or dedicated). I found quite a disparity in prices and quality: dirt cheap hosting vs. the likes of $20 monthly. The dirt cheap options will probably leave a GCCG server that is constantly crashing, being rebooted or having downtime. So I'm trying to gauge how much I can afford to pay.

I'm new to ads. In looking over this website's stats I found that we get hundreds of thousands of hits a month--maybe 20,000-25,000 a day. So I'd like to give ads a shot for a short time, such as a week. This will allow me to see if they are enough to support the site. If it turns out to be a pittance--5 cents maybe--then forget it! But if it is 5 dollars/week... that would be helpful!

For the time being I am opposed to taking donations. I've had a few offers, and I know we could cover it, but I don't want to have money changing hands here.

So, time will tell. Do they seem too intrusive? Since they are at the tops of the pages, it seems fairly easy to scroll post them. Also, I have a certain control over what types of ads are displayed, and can remove anything offensive.

[Legolis]

I'm not opposed to the adds, would be nice not to have them but if you have to, you have to. I think they would be better if the scripts were placed in the footer area though!!!! That way we don't have to see them at all or for the most part anyway. I seem to get more info from the top of a page and before I get to the bottom I have got board and go onto the next page!!! 

[macheteman]

my ad blocker ad blocks them. so i only see the spot where they are supposed to be.

[Legolis]

I also just noticed that it is linking to my browser. If I type in a search or go to a website, say paypal, I come back here and the google add will have links to what I type in or where I have been.

[ket_the_jet]

There is no advertisement blocker for Android. Just an observation.
-wtk

[Kralik]

Big Brother (a.k.a. Google) is watching you...

I like ad blockers, but keep in mind that in this particular case using one would defeat the purpose.