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I'm building a site and community around a particular disability which I have. I have a number of ideas that I'm sure will make the site a success in terms of getting visitors, but I'd also like to monetize the site. Ideally, this would be full-time work for me, but obviously it would have to pay. :-)

I'm wondering if anyone has ideas as to how I could go about monetizing the site? I don't want to plaster it with ads (not that they seem to generate that revenue - particularly in this niche) and the only good idea I've come up with so far is to build a number of online services (subscription based) that would aid those in some way with this disability, which I could then promote via my community site.

Does anyone have experience in monetizing what could be seen as charitable work, helping the disabled, without offending people and still doing okay?

Thanks.

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4 Answers

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Might it be worth actually speaking to those who would be your site users first to find out if they would pay for certain things, does their disability limit their income?

Do they already pay for other online services to do with their disability?

Getting visitors to the site wouldn't guarantee keeping them there for long enough and the free info/content will first need to be good enough to keep their interest long enough to sell the services.

It wouldn't be seen as charitable work if you are asking them for money for services, you would be selling to them.

You're helping the disabled but as a business, dont suggest you are charitable to the community by selling services, that could offend them.

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Hi John. I know they would pay as it's something I've discussed before with a number of people I know that are typical of my target audience. As far as I'm aware there aren't any other products/services like I'm planning or for the niche I'm targeting, so they wouldn't be paying for anything else at the moment. The site is going to be very 'community-based' so it would be something users that like the site would return to often. Thanks for taking the time to answer. :) – Anonymous Dec 18 '11 at 23:17
Good news that you know they will pay :) also good that there are no existing products/services, i can see how it would bring people back to the site often, wish you all the best with it, hope its very successful. – user14718 Dec 19 '11 at 13:40
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Can you clarify your reason(s) for forming a for-profit instead of a nonprofit? Your answer to that question could really influence the solution to the issues you've raised.

Can your target consumers afford to pay for the services you want to offer? (Have you studied your target population and figured out if they can/would pay for your services?) This is one of the primary reasons nonprofits exist -- because they enable third parties (governments, philanthropists, etc.) to foot the bill for goods and services that the intended recipients cannot afford.

I understand that your target consumers are disabled -- not necessarily financially strapped -- so you don't need to operate as a nonprofit. There are lots of for-profit businesses that provide services to address sensitive/societal/etc. issues, so you definitely don't need to feel hesitant about charging for services. You just have to tread lightly, make sure you are fairly transparent about your mission and business model, and do your best not to take advantage of your target population -- or you'll risk your credibility.

If you haven't already, I suggest you read up about social enterprises and (B Corps), and how to build for-profit businesses that address social and/or environmental issues. That literature should provide you with many examples of successful social enterprises and help you to figure out what business model(s) would be appropriate for your company.

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Hi Lauren, thanks for taking the time to answer. My reasons for wanting to form this as a for-profit business are fairly generic - I'd like the financial freedom success would (or could!) bring, I'd like to be able to work online so I'm not tied to a particular location for work - and due to this particular disability I struggle in the workplace. Given my past experiences I'd like to help people that are going through the same thing. My target audience can definitely afford the products/services I have in mind and I have built a couple of sites in the past which have had thriving communities – Anonymous Dec 18 '11 at 23:12
within the particular niche, so I do already have a bit of a following and know the audience very well. I'll take the advice you've given (and a couple of others here) and be up-front/gentle with my 'mission statement'. I'll read up on the material you suggested. :-) – Anonymous Dec 18 '11 at 23:13
up vote 1 down vote

In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with being upfront with your intentions. You could have an "about" page where you write something like

Hello. My name is Rick. I have (the disability) and I decided to set up this website to help people who are in a similar situation. Portions of this website are free, and I've decided to offer some additional features to persons who are willing to pay a small subscription fee. Funds generated from subscriptions allow me to invest more time in developing and maintaining this site. Please note that, at this time, this website is owned and operated by a for-profit company.

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That's a good way of going about it I think. I think my question should have been two questions - the first part being what you've answered, the second being how to monetize sites like the one I have in mind... Though that might just be something for me to think about. :-) – Anonymous Dec 18 '11 at 21:20
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Why don't you try to convince companies to sponsor the site?. If you´re legally a non-profit (which is not clear from your description) this could be a solution to get some revenue (but you´ll still be far from having a full-paid job).

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Hi Jordi - I should have stipulated, it isn't a charity of any sort. I want to treat this as business, I'm just a little uncertain as to how to go about it - Providing premium services that will make those with this particular conditions live's a little easier... at a cost. It sounds bad when I say it like that - that's the problem. – Anonymous Dec 18 '11 at 17:09
I see. I don't think there´s anything wrong in trying to make money by helping people with a given disability as long as the web is clear about not being a non-profit. Then, though, how to make money will depend a lot on whether your "premium" services are worth or not (as in any other kind of business) – Jordi Cabot Dec 18 '11 at 18:31

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