As promised earlier, we have created an ad-free premium version of Curbside Classic…for a small price. Our new ad network is a bit more intrusive, but the income is significantly improved and essential to our long-term sustainability. So here’s an alternative to those that want to help support the site but enjoy it in an ad-free, quick-loading environment.
The cost is $10/month, about 33¢ a day. Or about 7¢ per post. Can I make it sound any cheaper?
I’m anything but a huckster; I do not like asking for money, and never have before. But it’s simply unrealistic to expect something of consistent quality for free, so the choice is ads, or no ads, for a small price.
And there’s another option: regular and recurring content contributors automatically get the ad-free version. So if you’d like to give that a shot, we’re always open to new contributors. No guarantees, as it does need to be up to snuff, but the great majority who try make the cut.
If you’re interested, don’t click on the image at the top here. The live one is on the side bar, or up on the newly-revised top menu bar, or the usual mobile version menu. As always my deepest gratitude for all of your support, whatever form that takes.
It’s lovely. Everything in life should be like this. And the option to work it off is a great one.
IMO subscription makes sense, but $10/mo is too steep for me. Most of us are paying for multiple online and video subscriptions and at a certain point, you have too many separate ‘affordable’ ones and the overall package is not affordable.
I pay less for NYT, which isn’t a direct comparison, but the volume of quality content is higher for less $. I am also not ignorant to the fact that there is an economy of scale for NYT.
One other strategy would be to offer a one-year or six-month promo for a lower price—maybe if paid in full up front. I think that you can entice more people in that way and then retain them when they are past the promo.
I wonder where the sweet spot is for monthly cost vs. the number of subscriptions that can be sold.
It’s absolutely reasonable, and the price is more than right in the U.S.
That said, in my environment that’s too steep, and that’s why I’m not subscribed to anything. To be absolutely honest, I might consider the subscription anyway if the ad version wasn’t available. As it is, I’ll gladly put up with the ads in exchange to being able to access content that goes far beyond vehicles.
Thank you Paul & Co for that massive effort. I really appreciate it.
Paul, is there a way those of us currently donating can be grandfathered in? I would hate to actually downgrade my support to become a member. 🙂
You already are. And thanks again.
Thanks Paul!
I guess I had better get something posted!
I might join if there was a mobile-friendly version, any plans on that?