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Original poster

Paying for Mumsnet

118 replies

BIWI · 28/05/2017 18:20

There have been eleventy billion threads (only a slight exaggeration) about the advertising on MN becoming more and more intrusive. And calls, inevitably, for it to stop.

We all KNOW - we're not stupid - that MN is a free-so-use site, so needs to take advertising to keep going.

However, lots of us on the various threads have also said that we'd be prepared to pay for an ad-free version of the site.

So you'd run two sites - one with advertising, which is free, and one which costs [x amount] per month/year.

Have you actually tried running your figures and working out how much revenue you'd get from people who are prepared to pay, and different scenarios, e.g. If x% pay y amount, we'll achieve x revenue?

Because it feels every time this issue is raised that you just pat us on the head and tell us that you're 'looking into it'

OP posts:

Fitzsimmons · 29/05/2017 19:18

I only use mn on my phone and without an Adblocker it is unusable, as the ads frequently cause my phone to crash. If I couldn't use an Adblocker then I wouldn't use the site, so they'd lose money either way.

I think Reddit does it quite well with the gold system, which means their ads can be far less intrusive as they're not solely reliant on ad revenue.

Original poster

BIWI · 29/05/2017 19:18

But that's my point, @TheBogQueen - you wouldn't have to! You'd have the choice!

Many people have made it very clear that they don't want to, others have said they're quite happy to.

OP posts:

Saucery · 29/05/2017 19:13

Hmm, they will definitely incentivise subscription I think, to avoid the use of ad blockers.
It will all go swimmingly until all the financial data gets stolen.

TheBogQueen · 29/05/2017 19:11

There's no way I'd pay for this

Hassled · 29/05/2017 19:10

Perfectplonker - yes, of course we can all install adblockers. But eventually then MN has no source of revenue, and as it's a valuable site which I use a lot I would hate to see it go tits up because of loss of ad revenue. Interesting article about adblockers here. I'd certainly be happy to pay a subscription, and wish it was an option.

BertieBotts · 29/05/2017 19:09

I do use adblock on MN because the ads are too intrusive. I used to whitelist them but they have become such a problem that I'm not willing to any more.

Gobbolinothewitchscat · 29/05/2017 19:09

I just use an ad blocker. I wouldn't pay to use the site.

Original poster

BIWI · 29/05/2017 19:07

I use adblocker. But I don't like doing it because I know that it's depriving MN of income. They do need to earn money to pay for all their staff!

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 29/05/2017 19:06

Plenty of sites have a premium version you access with a subscription, it's not exactly a unique idea.

I quite like the Reddit system where you can buy credits to give other members a month of "Reddit Gold" for any post you particularly like which gives them access to nicer features, no ads, etc. Sort of a virtual version of "I'd buy you a drink for that post". And of course you can buy it for yourself if you want too.

The site is perfectly functional without paying but it's a fun little extra.

CaptainWalker · 29/05/2017 19:04

Can't see mumsnet being the same with an paywall. I think it would work if you had same site with same users just money goes to get ads off plus maybe additional content?

Saucery · 29/05/2017 19:03

They would probably ramp up the ads as there would be an option not have them. So more people would use ad blockers anyway.

Perfectplonker · 29/05/2017 19:03

Why would you pay?

Ad blocker on my phone/tablet/pc already gives me an ad free verosion of mn?

mynotsoperfectlife · 29/05/2017 19:02

I imagine firms pay a lot to advertise here.

I can't imagine most of us would be able to or pay enough to compensate for that.

JennyHolzersGhost · 29/05/2017 19:01

Adblocker.
The only way that !
MNhQ will start taking the user experience issues seriously is if they are losing money hand over fist because everyone is using an ad blocker. So many people have tried to tell them how bad it is and they never listen. Hitting their pockets is the only way I'm afraid.

Highalert · 29/05/2017 19:00

Not a chance I would give any of my bank details to MN.

Saucery · 29/05/2017 18:57

Oooh yes, have some kind of payment interface with a site that has security so crap it can be hacked in an instant. Marvellous idea!

Original poster

BIWI · 29/05/2017 18:53

Of course I didn't mean two separate sites - sorry, I phrased that really badly

But two different ways to access the same site was what I was meaning - so you could choose to have it for free, but have the site with all the ads, or you pay a monthly subscription and get the site without any ads.

It obviously would have to be costed out - how many people would be prepared to pay, how much would they be prepared to pay and how much would it cost from a tech/site-running point of view - and would it be worth it for MNHQ financially.

I totally get that a lot/perhaps most people don't want to have to pay for a site where the content is (mainly) generated by its users - but there are lots of posters who have already said they'd pay for no advertising.

This way - assuming it's financially viable - both sets of posters are happy.

OP posts:

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 29/05/2017 18:04

I barely see advertising on my phone!

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 29/05/2017 18:03

Oh God, seriously? I left the last parent site I was with because if subscriptions. It closed not long after too. It was the kiss of death imo.

user1496069596 · 29/05/2017 17:59

People would soon give up on paying anyway, not like we would be paying for quality content written by professionals.
I recall seeing a post where Justine is comparing MN to The Guardian, that is hilarious and she is delusional!

peaceout · 29/05/2017 17:25

No way would I pay, all the content is generated by the posters if anyone should be paid it's them or rather us
No one pays to use internet forums

BillyButtfuck · 29/05/2017 17:23

I use the app on my iPhone mainly and the ads really aren't an issue. I get a Fairy laundry banner every now and then but nothing which gets in the way or pops out at me.

Is there more advertising on the desktop site?

Sparklingbrook · 29/05/2017 17:23

I guess so Lweji. It's a shame. But they could use some of the added revenue to do something about the trolls maybe? Because at the moment MN is hard going.

ErrolTheDragon · 29/05/2017 17:23

I mostly MN in the app on an iPad, and have an adblocker - the only ad I see is the not very obtrusive Fairy banner across the thread. I'm not aware of many if I use it on my PC via browser (maybe I've got some level of adblocking on that, though its not perfect)

gillybeanz · 29/05/2017 17:22

How can you run two sites one free with advertising and one free without, but everybody able to post?

This is what made me respond in the way I did.

Surely it would be the one site with ads blocked for those who pay and the remainder seeing the ads.

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