We're getting ready to gear up for our yearly contest. I wanted to post information and ask a couple of questions before we begin.
For new members, we have a contest/donation time each year from about November to February. Funds generated are used throughout the year to keep the site in business. Of the three major diesel websites, we are the only one that doesn't charge a membership fee. We do however depend on donations to keep things running.
This year we have $750, $500, and $250 cash prizes courtesy of Hypertech, ISSPro, and Diesel Injection Service. We will also give away several Ford-Diesel.Com hats and other assorted items. Everyone who helps out is eligible for the contest. For every $20, you will be entered once in the contest. Send $40 and you are entered twice for example.
The site is partially funded by the yearly donations, product sales, and advertising. Our monthly costs right now are around $1200/month. That includes capital costs and monthly expenses. That number has doubled for the past three years.
What does it take to run the site? For the past three years we have either bought or performed a major upgrade of the webserver(s) that run the site. Currently, the main site runs on one server and the forums run on the other. I would like to consolidate everything to one hefty server next year. We also have monthly connectivity charges for the Internet feed. As an aside, we have ordered a faster connection that should help with the slow speed during peak times. That should be installed within the next month.
Now for the questions. In the past we have required that people send a check or money order. We now have the capability to process credit cards (for our product sales) and can also process the donations that way. Is that something you would be interested in? I know that I find sites that accept credit cards much more convenient than mailing a check. I can modify our online store to take care of all the donations as well.
The next question relates to our list of supporters. In the past, we have listed everyone who donated to help the site. I assume you want this to continue?
That's all for now. I'm posting this on all forums and as an announcement. The topic will be closed in all forums but the New, Comments and Suggestions forum. Feel free to discuss it there.
Thanks,
Jason
------------------
Ford-Diesel.Com Webmaster
2000 F-350 Crew Cab Dually Lariat 6-speed 4x4
Black/Tan 4.10LS Fully-Loaded
Linear Mode
