Best way to make money

Ok, What is the best way to make money with a forum on the web?

Now I see a lot of forums on the net, and I have yet to figure out why people would pay for the software, and monthly server cost then put the site on the net for members free of charge... Aren't they losing money that way?

 

Having a website that receives hundreds of thousands, or millions of views per month is extremely valuable. You can use it to jump start other businesses or you can simply monetize the forum itself with advertising. If the forum is very specific, like cars, you can get quite a bit of money from the companies that sell custom exhausts and things like that.

Digitalpoint could easily make 40-50k per month if they had sponsored links. If you take a look at the advertising on the top right corner, they make big bucks for having that there and it's not intrusive either.

 

BEcouse not evry one is for money and becouse if even for a forum you have to pay to join ... then wtf .....

 

Majority of forums DO make a profit, it's just not apparent to the users because they don't have pop-ups or instrusive advertisements.

Charging someone a membership fee isn't the only way to make money from a forum. Think outside the box.

 

Me too I want to know which program works best on forums.Adsense?Affiliates??

 

I actually hearn forums are not the biggest money makers..its actually the content based sites- like blogs, article sites, news sites, etc.

 

How can blogs, article sites and news sites make the money and not forums? I am asking these questions because I have 3 forums now and non of them are doing very well even with all the advertising.
Now, I have a reseller server and I can add on accounts and I am wanting to start a site that will be a desent money maker.. it doesn't have to make lots of money.

I have been thinking and I am really not coming up with anything...

 

Although forums can be huge money earners if you have loads of traffic, they tend to have an extremely low CTR compared to some of the other sites that you mention simply becasue of ad blindness.

 

So, if I were to have popup ads or ads that are all over the forum thats how it will make money? See I think whats no to cool when it comes to forums because most people do not like popup ads. Now ads on the pages I am not familiar with.

I think I am going to have to do a lot more thinking to come up with something.lol.

I have found that everyone wants something for nothing and there is always someone out there willing to give it...lol

Thanks for all the input.

 

Try selling text link and banner ad space directly to advertisers.
Charging members is not a good idea and you will see people leaving your site to go to other free forums.

 

Thats an idea.... I will have to look into that. Thanks ablaye

 

Actually the large majority of forums (and sites of any type) don't make money and are run because people actually care about the topics that are being discussed.

You just don't see those people posting on boards like this so you're not exposed to them.

 

You have a point but, take a look at almost every car forum. They all have sponsored sections. I'm sure they do it because they enjoy cars, but they are making money at the same time.

 

There really isn't a "best" way. Otherwise, everyone would be going after it.
It really depends on what you want to do. Think entrepreneurially.

 

forums blogs articles..............

according to me "mailing list" is the best thing to have

if u have a mailing list ( a real one, not just spammy) of say 10 000 or 20 000

then u got some power.... u can launch a forum... a blog... a whatever and get visitors

 

Make a site after that promote that and building high quality backlinks finalley you can sell your links and earn money from adsense or etc.. programs with your visitors.

 

Very good topic---I am also looking for the same solution and it has been a real enlightening to read not only about forums but also blogs/article sites etc.

Thanks DonR

 

advertising

 

Let's not forget - PPC isn't the only way to monetize a website. You
have to think more about your visitors rather than the type of site
you run.

What do you need to do to convince them to part with their money?
How can you provide real value that they feel is worth paying for?

You can do that through your own products, affiliate products, private
forums, services, selling text links... and if you must - PPC.

 

PPC should only be used as a way to generate funds to support the website. If you really want to rake in the money, you should focus on selling text links and banners.

If you can figure out a way to link an affiliate program into your forum, it would be even better.

Another idea is to send out a decent newsletter. That gives you an extra place to put an ad or two.