What do you think about tip jars on websites?

September 5, 2008 by John Dilbeck · 12 Comments
Filed under: Opinions 

Last month, one of my friends who is a very active Squidoo lensmaster asked me if I had a tip jar on any of my sites. She wanted to thank me for the help I’ve been providing and wanted to send some business my way.

The problem was, she wasn’t ready to be a customer for the products I promote as an affiliate marketer and wanted a more direct way to show her appreciation.

I told her that wasn’t necessary and that I enjoyed offering whatever help and ideas that I can.

About two weeks ago, more or less, someone else I’ve known for awhile asked me the same question.

I’m still surprised and really didn’t know how to respond.

I like a few extra dollars as much as anyone, but I’m unsure about tip jars on websites.

What do you think?

Is this an easy and valid way to show appreciation, or does it look like begging?

As a test, I’ve added two ways to tip me if you find what I have to say of any value.

If you look in the right column, you’ll see a PayPal Donate button. If you click that link, you can leave me a tip using your credit card or money in your PayPal account. I want to ask, if you do leave a tip, that you keep it under $10,000. (grin)

Of course, you’re under no obligation or even expectation to leave a tip. It’s entirely up to you.

Below the PayPal Donate button, you’ll see something that says, “Are you in my TOPSPOTS?”

This is another way to leave a tip, and it also uses PayPal to process the transfers.

But, this time, you get something more in exchange, a link to the URL of your choice.

Now, before you reach for your mouse, I will not accept links to sites that promote violence, gambling, porn, hatred, bigotry, or anything similar. So, save your time and mine. Each link will be moderated before it goes live, and I’m telling you now that I won’t approve those links.

On the other hand, if you link to a G or PG rated site that is acceptable, I’d be happy to accept your donation and add a link to your site. Each link costs $5 and a new link goes to the top of the list.

Whenever someone else leaves a tip and a link, it will go to the top of the list and push the other links down one spot. There is room for 10 links, so if there is ever an 11th link submitted, the site that was in the #10 spot will fall off the list.

This is a relatively new blog, so the chances are pretty good that your link will be presented for some time before it drops off the bottom. In fact, if nobody buys link #11, your URL will remain indefinitely.

I think that’s a pretty good deal.

However, unlike other links on this site, since this is essentially a paid link, it will have a nofollow tag that tells Google and other search engines not to follow the link and index the site it finds. This is Google’s rule, not mine, and the folks at ScratchBack.com, who created the widget, follow Google’s rules.

On the other hand, you can get live links that are followed by the search engine spiders if you leave quality comments on any of the posts here, and that’s free.

Your comment must add value to the discussion to be approved. If you just say, “I agree,” or “good post,” or anything similar, I’m just going to delete it.

While I have little tolerance for such self-serving comments, I welcome your experiences, opinions, and ideas. Whether you agree or disagree, or maybe even if you don’t have a considered opinion, I’m looking forward to discussing it with you.

But, if you want a link to your site in a visible part of every page on this blog, you’re welcome to leave a tip and a link. I’ve done it, myself, on a couple of other sites I like.

Still, however, I’m not sure about all of this.

What do you think about tip jars and TopSpots lists? As a reader, do you really want to buy a webmaster, blogger, or lensmaster a beer, coffee, or lunch?

Is this an easy and valid way to show your appreciation, or does it look a little crass?

While we’re on the topic, what’s your opinion of tip jars, in general. Have you seen them proliferating both online and offline? I don’t get out much, but I’ve read some complaints on other sites and it seems that more and more people and businesses have their hand out now, waiting for you to drop your hard-earned cash.

Have you experienced this?

I’m looking forward to hearing your opinion on this.

Act on your dream!

JD

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