Let's take a positive look in the future. We've talked a lot about the ads, but not why I'm adding them and why now?
The money from the ads will be used in the future for these main things:
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Paying a salary to the mods. Not much, but maybe 100-500$/month. Before that we can start with x-mas gift baskets or things like that.
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To buy a new server. I've got this script that can make picture preview of every link on the forum (!). However, we need a new server(s) to user that feature. When it will be activated, nothing will look the same. I've seen it, it's a bomb.
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We may start competitions. All we need is the metrics, since post/week isn't propably a good intigator...
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To make PeachyForum look more pro for the surfers. Where are people, there are ads... and Peachy has always lost something. It's that magazine-look that will tell visitors "come here, we're here to entertain you". The ads will make the site look more updated and more hell more popular.
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To make PeachyForum look legal. Because we haven't used ads, we seem shady - where does the income come from? The answer is from Peachy18, but the sponsors don't know that... by using legal ands to their sites we can keep them more content. Riskfactor goes downhill.
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To pay server bills. Boring, but the forum needs to do that.
We all love our kids - like to buy them cars and homes etc. However, I've earned everything in the hard way, so I'd love to see my kids independant. Now, PeachyForum is my kid and it needs to feed itself. Being a hobbyist forum is hearth-warming, but also it's biggest problem: what if I lose my daily job? Who would like to buy Peachy, since it's not generating income? If we'll continue to grow, how to pay server bills & for the moderators?
ADs/micropayments are the solution themself, integral part of the success - not just some annoying add-ons.