Web Hosting Poll
Okay,

We are very close to picking a new hosting provider. One is considerably more expensive than the other, but what they are offering us is 100% top notch service. The problem is that if we choose them we will not be able to keep our paid accounts the same price. We will raise them to $20/6mo or $35/year. If we pick the other provider, which is not as well known, and isn't offering us the same level of service we will not have to raise prices at all.

Please fill out this poll on what you all would want. Would you be willing to pay more for a more reliable InsaneJournal. Granted the cheaper option may never go down, but we will defiantly have more room to grow with the more expensive option.

Edit: I do want to note that once we get settled in and the paid accounts are coming in at a decent pace then we will consider lowering the prices back to a reasonable level.

Please spread word of this poll around as I want to get as many answers as possible. Also, when you do spread word of it, please don't encourage anyone to vote any particular way as I really do want honest answers.

Poll #1421 New Hosting Questions
Open to: All, results viewable to: All

What hosting option should I pick

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(Post a new comment)

	wolfsilveroak 2008-04-18 06:53 pm UTC (link)
	If my main account wasn't perm, I would gladly pay more for highly reliable service, especially as I feel IJ is well worth it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - earendil, 2008-04-18 07:05 pm UTC

(no subject) - hotfuss, 2008-04-19 04:19 am UTC

	toimhseachan 2008-04-18 07:07 pm UTC (link)
	Those are still really good prices, and if they mean more reliability (or even if it means the hosting company isn't going to cancel the wrong things) then it's worth it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - squeaky, 2008-04-18 07:14 pm UTC

(no subject) - ardath_rekha, 2008-04-18 07:34 pm UTC

(no subject) - akk, 2008-04-18 08:04 pm UTC

(no subject) - keieeeye, 2008-04-18 09:38 pm UTC

(no subject) - scorpio, 2008-04-18 11:01 pm UTC

(no subject) - toimhseachan, 2008-04-18 08:09 pm UTC

(no subject) - apotheosis, 2008-04-18 09:53 pm UTC

(no subject) - ardath_rekha, 2008-04-18 09:24 pm UTC

(no subject) - kaika_kaika, 2008-04-18 11:52 pm UTC

(no subject) - aristoboule, 2008-04-19 12:34 am UTC

(no subject) - randombastary, 2008-04-18 11:09 pm UTC

ilyat 2008-04-18 07:25 pm UTC (link)

My vote might be slightly skewed, since I already have a permanent account. However, I'd like to think that I'd still be willing to pay more for a better service. I still use LJ in addition to IJ; had I not previously obtained a permanent account there, I probably would not have maintained paid status with the recent shift of things. In spite of the fact that I do have a smaller network of friends whom I communicate with through IJ, I would rather pay for its service over LJ - especially if it means that it is going to be quality service. (Reply to this)

lilbreck 2008-04-18 07:33 pm UTC (link)

Though I have a permanent account, I will be getting a paid account for some of my non-main journals in the future. I'm willing to pay $20/6mo or $35/year for quality. Yes, LJ may be lowering the prices, but the service isn't near the quality you provide already just by keeping us up to date with what's going on and being honest with us. Obviously, I voted to go with the amazing service. (Reply to this)

greenwitch 2008-04-18 07:33 pm UTC (link)

I'm a little torn, actually -- I of course want to say to raise paid account prices in order to have better service and be able to expand the site. That said, at this point I'm not really putting my money where my mouth is because I have no plans to buy additional paid accounts (I have three accounts -- this one, which is permanent, and two free ones which I don't use enough to justify making paid.) Maybe for the sake of fund raising, but that would be the only real reason (could change in the future, of course.) That said, I know there's a ton of RPers who have many multiple paid accounts because they use all the features, so maybe that's where the bulk of the revenue will come from? And as word continues to spread about IJ, I'm sure many more people will continue to join and get paid accounts once they see that the service is great and site is reliable. I'm just worried that the site growth may plateau at some point and fewer people will be getting paid accounts if they're more expensive, that's all. So I'm going to register a "no opinion" on this one, since I don't think it would be fair to vote for the first option being that I don't plan on getting another paid account myself anytime soon. I'm rooting for it though *g* (Reply to this)

countrymouse 2008-04-18 07:44 pm UTC (link)

I don't know how to answer this, as I already have a permanent account. It would be better to have a much more reliable service; but if new people are looking to come here, they might not be willing to pay that much for a paid account. As an added thing, I don't know if there is anything you need to do on your end or not, but I have been agitating at Utterz to make InsaneJournal one of their Connections. Is there anything you need to do? Or just the folks on their end? (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - squeaky, 2008-04-18 08:08 pm UTC

(no subject) - countrymouse, 2008-04-18 08:15 pm UTC

	malfoy 2008-04-18 07:47 pm UTC (link)
	Quality service, yo. (Reply to this)

japoniste 2008-04-18 07:49 pm UTC (link)

Instead of focussing on price, I think competition in the service/quality/support/new designs/additions/informations areas sound like the way to go. Getting extras for paid accounts aren't expensive to develop, but it gives nice revenue, and gives a reason to go paid -- contrary to That Other Journal, were everything interesting is given away to people who want ads, and all paid users get are more voice posts. I have several perm accounts here, and I'll buy more (if the offer is still there in May). I have paid accounts for my RP journals, and I don't mind the price being higher, if my RPs are safe and sound with a good provider. I'd say, go for quality. IJ is already better than that Other Site, and along with getting the last updates and designs in order, together with a provider you (and the rest of us) trust IJ's creme de la creme. (Reply to this)

	huojin 2008-04-18 07:51 pm UTC (link)
	Those are still good prices, mister :) But yes, I'm willing to pay more than even what you've quoted there if the service is going to be "AMAZING" hehe. You do a great job as it is :) (Reply to this)

	bloodbeat 2008-04-18 08:03 pm UTC (link)
	My paid account was a gift, but I think that anyone should be williing to pay for top-notch service. I know that I will -- once my paid account runs out, I will more than likely be renewing it. As ardath_rekha has already said, you get what you pay for -- and exemplary service would be well worth the price. And really, even the raised prices are still good ones. (Reply to this)

	xie_xie_xie 2008-04-18 08:04 pm UTC (link)
	My main account is permanent, but all my secondary accounts -- my dog's journal (SHUT UP! HE WANTED ONE!), my asylums, my backup journal) are paid, because I wanted you to have the income stream. So when I voted for the more expensive option, it wasn't meaningless. (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - aristoboule, 2008-04-19 12:32 am UTC

(no subject) - xie_xie_xie, 2008-04-19 03:25 am UTC

(no subject) - squeaky, 2008-04-19 01:48 pm UTC

(no subject) - qilora, 2008-04-19 03:30 am UTC

(no subject) - earendil, 2008-04-19 04:20 am UTC

(no subject) - avenged, 2008-04-19 06:29 pm UTC

bethbethbeth 2008-04-18 08:08 pm UTC (link)

I voted for the "amazing service" option, of course, but in the interest of transparency, I need to say: a. I'm in a relatively privileged position (i.e., $35 a year would be no hardship at all for me); this isn't true for all users. b. I have a permanent account, so it's pretty much a moot point. I'm making a pledge to turn one of my other accounts into a paid or permanent account (not because I really need to, but to help out). However, would it be possible to create a two-tier paid account system? One at the old price, but the other at a higher price that allows the buyer to choose two of four extra options (like "X extra icons" or "X amount of photo-hosting space" or something). The reason I suggest going the option route is because when LJ says "Okay, we're raising the rates, but now you get blahblahblah!" the thing they offer is always going to be useless to a good chunk of the user base. I never used a single phone post in my lift, even though I could have. Giving people choice will make the higher price paid account far more attractive. (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - japoniste, 2008-04-18 08:38 pm UTC

(no subject) - missparkinson, 2008-04-19 09:51 am UTC

	stacia 2008-04-18 08:22 pm UTC (link)
	I have a Permanent account, but just started a new account yesterday specifically so I could have one to turn into Paid when you move to the new host. For that reason, I'm voting for the better service. I think new arrivals will be okay with it when they see the amount of icons, the better/faster service, and the customer service you provide. (Reply to this)

lucario 2008-04-18 08:27 pm UTC (link)

Even though this account and maybe two of my other accounts are permanent accounts, I'd pay for a paid account even if the prices were raised. Though something to consider would possibly be implimenting incentives for those who have faithfully paid for their accounts to hold paid status for x-amount of years? I've suggested something similar on another LJ-clone and think it might be something fun aside from the phenominal service we already get here. :) (Reply to this)

	fionnulaharp 2008-04-18 08:33 pm UTC (link)
	I'm afraid my answer may be skewed as well, since I bought a permanent account, but paying extra for better service is always preferable. (Reply to this)

mana_k 2008-04-18 08:55 pm UTC (link)

I am all for the better server. IJ is going to grow, we pretty much know this for fact, even if it's a slow growth. If you go ahead and choose the better server, though it's more expensive, you have a better chance of being prepared in the event of huge future growth. If you choose the less reliable server, traffic through the site may exceed what the servers are capable of handling, and that ends up in a big mess. Though I have a permanent account right now, I do have other accounts that are free now but will become paid or permanent within the next year or so (getting through nursing school takes top priority right now). I would be willing to spend a little more in the first year or so if it means that my service here continues to be reliably well. Granted, $35/year for a paid account seems a little high, but it's worth it -- on the other hand, if it would be at all possible to not raise the price quite that much (say, to $30 instead), it isn't a large enough difference from other journaling sites to make or break the decision to sign up here. Most people are willing to pay a little extra for the better service, so it shouldn't be a big issue as to whether or not a price increase, temporarily, is a problem. (Reply to this)

	lalique 2008-04-18 09:05 pm UTC (link)
	I have a perm account so I really don't care if the prices go up lol... However if I wasn't a perm account I would still pay whatever price you'd have listed for a paid account. I think most people would feel the same. Especially since the service they'll get is really good. (Reply to this)

	dragovianknight 2008-04-18 09:07 pm UTC (link)
	When I had a paid LJ, it worked out to $35 a year anyway, because I had to pay for extra userpics...and I STILL didn't have as many as I got here even before I permed my account and bought permanent extra userpics. So I'd have no problem paying that for my fiction journals. (Reply to this)

tasllyn 2008-04-18 09:11 pm UTC (link)

well, I'm echoing what many others here have said already, but: I voted for better service. I have a permanent account. I also have a free account and a community that I would consider getting paid and/or permanent status for, once I actually have a job that pays me money. Unfortunately, though, those accounts aren't priorities for me right now, and as my main account is already permanent, I won't be contributing more money yet. I will put in a point for the other side, though. I am a student, a grad student at that, and I don't have much money to spend on extras. To me, anything above $25 is a huge cost that I better either need desperately or have to think a LOT about before I buy it. A few years, ago, anything above $10 was a big purchase for me. That's probably what kept me from ever getting a paid account on LJ. (What kept me from doing it the last year or so was the crappy service they've been giving.) I definitely believe the better service is worth the price, but as you know, there will be people who will look on any price raise with suspicion, and those who, even though they may think it is worth it, will not have the extra money to put in. Well, there's my dollar. (Reply to this)

monster_of_hope 2008-04-18 09:30 pm UTC (link)

This is a tough one. I think an annual paid account price of $35 would hurt IJ's growth right now. But the percentage of paid accounts has always been small, so will it really matter all that much? If only 1000 people get paid accounts instead of 1500, does that really impact you? In the long run (two or three years down the road) going with the better service is the right choice -- as long as you can survive with less (or static) income from paid accounts for a year or two. Also, grill the service that is supposedly better. Rake 'em over the coals. They are offering you more, but can they deliver? Who else uses them? Talk to those people. (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - squeaky, 2008-04-18 09:57 pm UTC

(no subject) - monster_of_hope, 2008-04-18 11:38 pm UTC

	robertchase 2008-04-18 09:39 pm UTC (link)
	$35/year is less than $3 per month and still extremely affordable. I think there are enough people around here who are committed to making this server successful that a few cents per month more won't be a deal breaker. (Reply to this)

	xavienne 2008-04-18 09:42 pm UTC (link)
	If it means better service, I would even send an extra donation since I already have a paid perm. account. (Reply to this)

	lastscorpion 2008-04-18 09:48 pm UTC (link)
	If I were paying year-by-year, I'd have voted for the first option, but I already bought a permanent account, so I'd basically be saying "You guys pay more so I can have more reliable service." lol Does anybody else remember when TWOP used to have little fundraisers? I still have a bunch of the cute stickers they used to sell through cafepress. (Reply to this)

lilithilien 2008-04-18 09:56 pm UTC (link)

I'm of two minds about this. I always think you get what you pay for, so I did vote for the better service/higher prices. At the same time, the conservative side of me (aka my mother's voice) says to keep prices the same (or even raise them a little bit, say to $15/6mo) and bank the profits until we can afford to make the move risk-free. Still, personally, I don't think $35/yr is that much, considering the much better customer service we get here at IJ. My one concern is how you've figured the future growth rate of IJ ... if the # of people purchasing accounts declines, will we be able to afford to stay with the top-notch service? (Reply to this)

madlodger 2008-04-18 10:14 pm UTC (link)

No opinion Because I only have perm accounts, so raising the price won't affect me personally. Changing to a more reliable provider is a good idea and needs to be done. I can easily see IJ growing to 500,000 accounts very fast, so having a good host and a flexible contract is crucial. I am sure that new growing journals like IJ require more bandwidth per total accounts than old ones because the most of accounts are active. As opposed to the "other Journal" which has a huge number of abandoned accounts. $35 is a bit high, but could be ok as an expansion fundraser. For a long term the price needs to be comparable to other blogging services. Many users are students and people with low incoms. Many free account people would subscribe for extra userpics in bundles of 50 or 100 if the price is low. Some other features could be marketed this way. As long as the payment system is automated and the cost of transactions is low. Speed of upload of my IJ pages is an important improvement to me, because I have broadband and have multiple browser windows and tabs opened at all times. Which means that IJ pages are getting opened side to side with other sites and journals. Speed is the creed :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - madlodger_007, 2008-04-18 10:55 pm UTC

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