Mumsnet looking at subscription model

[hepy]

Just seen on the BBC that Mumsnet have started a subscription model due to falling ad revenue.

Wonder if PH will look at something similar?

[Drawweight]

One of my forums has a voluntary subscription of a tenner a year.

You don’t get a lot for it apart from ‘full member’ under your profile pic and a bit more messaging capacity.

Fine to help the upkeep of a small niche forum but I’m not sure I’d do that on a regular basis.

Edit. I’ve just looked at Mumsnet and it’s £.4.99 a month. Unless you get big benefits from that I wouldn’t pay any forum that amount.

Edited by Drawweight on Saturday 25th April 06:52

[LaurasOtherHalf]

It’s what I’d have done if I’d have bought PH.

As long term members we get free adverts, we should really pay for that privilege. The caveat being that the classifieds would need a major overhaul to make them function way better.

The success of eBay motors, collecting cars etc, PH has the model and user base already there but is lagging way behind. These forums as a tag on to a great buying/selling platform for anything to do with cars, motorsport etc could be very good.

Anyone gets to use the forums for free, but if you want free adverts, member messaging, other benefits (for private sales) you pay an annual subscription. Traders then pay a traders premium.

I honestly think as collecting cars grows their next step should be a forum.

[S100HP]

£4.99 a month?!

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Jesus I didn’t realise it’s £4.99 a month! That’s more than we’re paying for Disney+

I was thinking more like £12 per annum or something, how many users does mumsnet have?

[lampchair]

PH is creaking and old anyway.

It would have to be on a good platform for me to consider paying, and £5/mth

ETA I’d just stop using PH anyway if I’m being honest.

Edited by lampchair on Saturday 25th April 07:39

[So]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

Jesus I didn’t realise it’s £4.99 a month! That’s more than we’re paying for Disney+

I was thinking more like £12 per annum or something, how many users does mumsnet have?

Has anyone seen a site go from free to paid for successfully?

Bloomberg TV used to be free, then it wasn't and then when I last checked it seemed to be free again.

I cannot help but think a site like Mumsnet will fall on its vajayjay if it tries to charge.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

So said:

Has anyone seen a site go from free to paid for successfully?

Bloomberg TV used to be free, then it wasn't and then when I last checked it seemed to be free again.

I cannot help but think a site like Mumsnet will fall on its vajayjay if it tries to charge.

Vajayjay

I'm not sure, I guess people expect free stuff on the net now. That's why I'd propose the model for PH to include free extras. Let's be honest, we all know it's the advertising revenue that keeps the site going and it's the classifieds that's the bigger picture.

Like it or lump it however PH is a community. There are thousands who use it extensively, the user based content is fantastic and a great resource.

I just can't help but think it's an underused resource. The classifieds can provide content for the community and the community provide viewing/sales for the classifieds.

[anonymous-user]

lampchair said:

PH is creaking and old anyway.

It would have to be on a good platform for me to consider paying, and £5/mth

ETA I’d just stop using PH anyway if I’m being honest.

Edited by lampchair on Saturday 25th April 07:39

There are enough owners/interest groups on Facebook with good content and engagement (and without the trolls or professionally offended) without paying £5 a month on this!

[SCEtoAUX]

If PH cost a single penny I wouldn't pay anf if mum's net charge £5/month they will be gone within a year.

[anonymous-user]

I think it's a voluntary sub for mumsnet. The experience is identical to users whether you pay or not, at the moment anyway?

[jimPH]

I used to like the PH classifieds but its really poor compared to the likes of AT and eBay and needs a massive overhaul.

AutoTrader have done a great job with their app and the search functions are great. Limiting gearbox type to either auto or manual is excellent.

The PH way listing 10 different types and only able to search for one at a time is just frustrating. When you open an ad on your phone (after scrolling through ten pages of only 15 ads at a time) you go back to the start when you close it. I could go on, but I don't use it anymore so i'm not surprised one bit they are losing revenue. It's appalling.

and POA adds should be BANNED - massively irritating

Edited by jimPH on Saturday 25th April 08:44

[Jamescrs]

I used to be a.member of the STOC forums which was a group of forums for different Ford ST owners, they used a paid membership system and all the technical forums and I think the classifieds were behind a pay wall for paying members but the membership wasn't particularly expensive.

I don't think it would work in the same way for Pistonheads.

[FunkyNige]

So said:

Has anyone seen a site go from free to paid for successfully?

Bloomberg TV used to be free, then it wasn't and then when I last checked it seemed to be free again.

I cannot help but think a site like Mumsnet will fall on its vajayjay if it tries to charge.

I was a member of the Straight Dope Message Board about 15 years ago when that went to a paid subscription (it was part of a newspaper so didn’t want to do adverts), think it was working fine for a while.
Looks like now it’s changed to a “if you pay you don’t get adverts” model, I fires the Internet has moved on now adverts are everywhere.

[Spidersleg]

Mums will pay anything if they think it's to the benefit of their kids. Just look at all the expensive tat they buy for kids/babies.

[RC1807]

If ladies don't want to pay Mumsnet, they might move here!.....

[hotchy]

Used to be on a car site that was £5 for life, but you made your £5 back instantly because you got the satnav update and access to the members area. Probably a bit shady but charging £300 for an updates shady aswel. I didnt have a satnav, I just wanted the free sticker.

[gizlaroc]

I think that each section, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, VAG etc. should have a Classifieds section at the top of it, one for cars and one for parts and related items.

Every forum that I have used that have moved away from that format to a dedicated classifieds has struggled and put it back again.

Not saying get rid of the main classifieds, but personally I never look for a car on them.


Also, charge £2 a month to use the forum, keep it cheap and people will pay. Just do it through Paypal revolving monthly and make it really easy for people to set up.

[The Mad Monk]

I would have thought that almost all of these various online internet thingies are sailing very close to the edge. PH, Whatsapp, Facebook, etc, etc.

I have an adblocker running on everything. Occasionally one or other site won't let me in unless I turn off the adblocker. I won't, I don't.

Since this corona virus thing started I have been persuaded to join facebook and whatsapp for a family group and a local area group. I have never seen so much tosh and drivel in my life!!

The day we recognise that Covid19 is over, if not before, I am deleting the facebook and the whatsapp things. If I won't have those apps, I won't accept ads, what chance has anyone got of persuading me to pay to be on an internet discussion forum?

[So]

gizlaroc said:

Also, charge £2 a month to use the forum, keep it cheap and people will pay. Just do it through Paypal revolving monthly and make it really easy for people to set up.

The people that post under multiple user names won't like that model.