32 votes

Let's talk about possible UI changes to make donating to Tildes more obvious.

How do you all feel about making some UI changes to prompt more donations to Tildes?

For newer users' edification, at the very least we need to pay Deimos enough to keep working on this project full time. If I understand the situation correctly, Deimos has put around 2 years into this project and I know that we are really lucky to have someone as skilled as he is, working on a project as noble as Tildes.

I feel that the current UI which prompts users to donate is much too passive as compared to a normal "call to action." All we currently have is:

It has no advertising, no investors, and is supported by your donations.

The subtlety of that donate link is part of the coolness of Tildes, but I have come across users' comments about how they were not aware of the Tildes Patreon.

So how can we do better without being annoying? What design patterns for this do you like on other sites?

edit: phrasing

14 comments

  1. [3]
    Neverland
    (edited )
    Link
    I have no clear solution in mind, but two aspects I would like to see improved are: A more obvious Donate link on each page of the site Some improvement of the donate page. a) I personally feel...

    I have no clear solution in mind, but two aspects I would like to see improved are:

    1. A more obvious Donate link on each page of the site
    2. Some improvement of the donate page.
      a) I personally feel that the theme in docs should be the same as the default Tildes theme. (the cream/beige looks dated to me) this is done already
      b) The Patreon, Stripe, and Coinbase links might belong on the top of the page, currently you have to scroll down. Maybe make the link style more button-y for these?
      c) Would it be good to have a progress meter on the donate page? (Can't take credit for this good idea.)

    edit: formatting

    9 votes
    1. [3]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. [2]
        Neverland
        Link Parent
        That’s weird, prior to writing this topic I opened it in a FF private window to make sure and saw the old theme. Must have been cache somehow. Thanks.

        That’s weird, prior to writing this topic I opened it in a FF private window to make sure and saw the old theme. Must have been cache somehow. Thanks.

        2 votes
        1. aphoenix
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          If you open in a private window, it defaults to solarize light. Otherwise it respects your theme choice from the content site.

          If you open in a private window, it defaults to solarize light. Otherwise it respects your theme choice from the content site.

  2. CrazyOtter
    Link
    We could add a donate link in the User Menu under misc, I don't think many people read the footer on any site. Another idea is that we have a Wikipedia style push for donations each year.

    We could add a donate link in the User Menu under misc, I don't think many people read the footer on any site.

    Another idea is that we have a Wikipedia style push for donations each year.

    6 votes
  3. [2]
    Droplet
    (edited )
    Link
    Maybe have a donate button or Patreon logo at the footer or header of each page, and get someone to write up Patreon updates on the status of the site and it's development. Another option is...

    Maybe have a donate button or Patreon logo at the footer or header of each page, and get someone to write up Patreon updates on the status of the site and it's development.

    Another option is having a nice donation page like this.

    5 votes
    1. Neverland
      Link Parent
      I think a more campaign-style donation page would be great.

      I think a more campaign-style donation page would be great.

      1 vote
  4. [3]
    PineappleMan
    Link
    How about a 'Donor' tag to users who have supported the cause? Sounds very reddit-y and hopefully it wont reach the money whore which it has become, but I kind of like the idea of gilding a good...

    How about a 'Donor' tag to users who have supported the cause?

    Sounds very reddit-y and hopefully it wont reach the money whore which it has become, but I kind of like the idea of gilding a good post or comment.

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      unknown user
      Link Parent
      I received it once in my use of reddit and really disliked it. Felt like money thrown at a stripper or a belly dancer on stage. I am not participating here for financial gains.

      I received it once in my use of reddit and really disliked it. Felt like money thrown at a stripper or a belly dancer on stage. I am not participating here for financial gains.

      8 votes
      1. PineappleMan
        Link Parent
        Oh.... I just thought it's a good way to support... maybe a paypal support me button will be the winner then? I dunno

        Oh.... I just thought it's a good way to support... maybe a paypal support me button will be the winner then? I dunno

  5. asoftbird
    Link
    Please no 2002-style yellow Paypal button, though paypal support would be nice.

    Please no 2002-style yellow Paypal button, though paypal support would be nice.

    2 votes
  6. [2]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. Neverland
      Link Parent
      Regarding the Donate link, I just mean something like a Donate nav item at the bottom of the page, maybe to the left of Docs. But maybe, just maybe, there is a non-annoying way to put that link...

      Regarding the Donate link, I just mean something like a Donate nav item at the bottom of the page, maybe to the left of Docs. But maybe, just maybe, there is a non-annoying way to put that link somewhere else even more obvious, possibly in the sidebar.

      4 votes
  7. [2]
    user2
    Link
    I think there should be a pop-up everytime you do a mouse-click! I suggest a bright-yellow-colored popup that flashes and asks for donations, all in capslock.

    I think there should be a pop-up everytime you do a mouse-click! I suggest a bright-yellow-colored popup that flashes and asks for donations, all in capslock.

    1 vote
    1. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. unknown user
        Link Parent
        I would say so

        I would say so

        3 votes