Do Paypal Donations work?

This can work for specific kinds of sites that target specific kinds of people. Not a site that is all about getting FREE stuff. This means warez, mainly.

Use a little persuasion if you feel that you might have a chance at getting some donations.

Step 1. Offer a gift (make them click a link to get it) This activates the psychological law of consistency and commitment as well as the law of reciprocity.

Step 2. Ask for the donation on the gift page in a way as to make them feel somewhat guilty. (This is how charities do it.)

"Blah, blah, blah...I'm a poor simple webmaster who only survives on donations to the site. Please consider making a donation so I can continue helping others...if not, please enjoy the free gift anyways :(

Step 3: Let them choose the amount (from a few pre-selected denominations, of course) Use check boxes so they can check which they choose, in the example I'll use * to indicate check boxes.

*YES! I want to help the site stay alive helping others as it has helped ME!

Here is my donation of:

*20.00
*14.00
*10.00
* 5.00

Step 4: Show them OTHER people have donated. Always give amounts of what has already been donated. Churches do this...Ever seen a collection plate? Altar boys get the party started with 5s and 10s before it gets to you, this is called "Salting the collection plate"

"Donations To Date Total - $525.00"

"Highest donation ever was - $120.00 by Billy C. Buckwheat"

Does this make sense?
 
I might add a donation button to one of my websites because it is about hunger and poverty.

Last year I created a legit site for a former client of mine based on this showing how the money would be used, but they didn't get much at all. Did get a lot of goodwill comments on the guestbook showing support and such, then it got spammed to hell. Now the sites gone because they forgot to renew.

I do think it's how you present the site to visitors though, something people are passionate about.
 
Doese PayPal have the code for adding a donation button? Stupid question?

This is a great idea and I might have something in mind to use it on.
 
Depends on your audience.

Black hat folks are looking for sneaky methods to do stuff. I doubt there going to be handing out donations
 
Yes it can work. Most of the time you have to write or give really good information or advice. But in all it's great to have on your site.
 
As far as i know and guess, the donations work only if you build a website with this target in mind, and bring targeted traffic. What do i mean? If you have a blog and want to put a donate me button , you better spare the effort. However, if you want to make some money from donations, start building a website about an emotional subject and target the sensible audience. If you do this right, you have great chances of making some bucks.
I personally do not use paypal donations since the money you can get are too less compared with the other methods you could apply in that certain time.
 
Donations for content/added sections of content definitely work if you pick the right type of forum to run.
 
Back
Top