bill
  
 
| #1 posted August 2, 2005 at 8:49am (EDT)
edited August 2, 2005 at 8:50am (EDT) |
Special Announcement for all Game Trading Zone Users
The End of Subscriber-Only
I have decided to drop the requirement that traders be subscribed to GameTZ in order to make full use of the site's key trading features. Non-subscribers will now be able to send offers, get contact information, post in the forums and use the chat system.
Essentially, the site will go back to the way it was before February 2003. GameTZ Subscriptions are once again voluntary. Subscribers will get several additional features, but the core trading features will no longer be subscriber-only.
The additional features that subscribers receive are: Ad Control (turn the ads off), Filters, Color Schemes, Personal Forum, Forum Avatar and Signature, Font Size Control, GameTZ email forwarding address, Graphics filtering, Swear Filter Disable, and Welcome Page Control. More details are available on this page: http://gametz.com/SubWhy.html
This is a major change for the site and it's not something I take lightly. When I took the site to subscriber only, my hope was to devote myself to the site, making a living off of it and grow the user base. But, after 2 and a half years, and several adjustments, it has become clear that the user base is not growing. In fact, it has been shrinking slowly. While we've retained a core group of regular traders, we've had a lot of trouble gaining new members.
I did manage to make several significant improvements in that time, but the income I got was quite low. It saddens me that I wasn't able to make this work. But, life goes on. I'm still dedicated to trading and keeping the site going. But, it will need to be a hobby for me, not a
career.
The most common complaint we get from new users is that they don't want to pay to use the site. Other sites provide a similar service without the subscription requirement. So, it's hard to compete with that. It's clear that the subscription requirement has been the biggest factor
preventing us from adding new users. Thus, I've decided to take the site back to the way it was and get rid of the subscription requirement.
As part of this change, I have also eliminated trial subscriptions and the "setup" mode (which required new users to make 10 listings and a welcome post). Although, I have kept the requirement that new users take the Trader's Oath.
This change will be a financial challenge for the site. Subscriptions have been the primary source of revenue used to pay the bills and provide some income for my efforts. However, in recent months, I've managed to improve the revenue from advertisements. I'm also hoping to
switch to a less expensive Internet service provider in January when my current contract is up. I believe I can get the site to at least a break-even level and thus ensure its long term survival.
Personally, I will need to spend less time working on GameTZ. It is not going to provide the income I was hoping it would. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I may get a regular job or I may try to develop a new website or two.
To those of you who are currently non-subscribers: Welcome back. Please feel free to use your account to the fullest. Check your matches, make some offers, use our forums and chat. This change will create a big wave of excitement and trading that you'll want to be a part of.
To those of you have been subscribers over these last 2 and a half years: I thank you for your loyalty and support over the years. I know this change is likely a bit shocking for you and I'm sorry for that. I'm doing what I feel is best for the site. In the long run, I believe this change will put the site back on track and bring you all more success with your trades.
Thank you.
Bill Marrs
Owner Game Trading Zone
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