Running a site on a 'tips jar' basis - any experience?

[eteb3]

I have an idea for a website offering info that people find valuable, possibly valuable enough for it to get enough 'tips' to pay its way.

I'd run it as my personal business for the convenience of not setting up a non-profit, but it's the sort of thing that would do well as a non-profit (hence my optimism about the tips)

Does anyone have any experience of this?
Any recommended practices to maximise income?
Any preferred platforms? (kofi, PayPal, etc?)

Thanks.

 

[ThatDevAaron]

So, generally, this will not bring in a lot of money, likely won't even cover your hosting costs, until someone randomly tips you like £50 (depends on how expensive your hosting options are, I'd love to hear more about what you're using and how much you're paying).

I recommend using services like https://publisher.linkvertise.com/

 

[Mark T Jones]

To pick up on your analogy

The 'tips jar' functioned well on the basis that people were handed change and dropped (some or all of) it into a jar as a fairly fluid process

Electronic money has hugely impacted it. As soon as it becomes less easy or fluid, people will stop doing it

How motivated will your audience be to go through a payment process after you've delivered the information?

 

[Alfred Ng]

some websites give users the option to donate a small portion of their remaining balance (such as a few cents) if they wish

 

[Zenzephyr]

Provision is provision - it comes in many forms, including tipping & I think this could be an interesting case study.

I would say this is a faith-based strategy that's going to be confused if you try to prioritise financial metrics - have faith and patience and you never know how full your fishing net may become.

...And if you're free and single along the way take a look around our dating tips.

 

[eteb3]

I realise I left this without substantive response - latest has put it on my radar again.

Thanks @ThatDevAaron and @Mark T Jones for sound advice.

My conclusion is run it at a loss until I see what the usage is, then pass it on to a charity if it looks like being good ROI from their pov.

 

[oliviabanks]

I think the idea is working if the content is useful. The main thing is honesty, convenience and transparency.