[Golden]

It depends. Some companies want to sponsor and some don't. I hope we get more sponsors soon.

[xdude]

The problem is what providers can expect from sponsor forums like these. You can not expect paid customers from it. Well you might get couple of customers for really juicy offers but not a lot. I have bought servers from several sponsors we had at freevps.us and Here I still use a paid vps bought from Host4fun. But majority need a free server because they can't pay.

So what providers can get in-return for their investment is Brand Influence. Those small companies can improve their brand presence in Google because of all the links they get as well as mentions happening in forum posts. This would improve their search and online presence so it helps their business long term.

This is why those medium size hosting providers only interest to advertise in mega forums like BlackHatWorld , WarriorForum etc. These places have potential buyers who are willing to go for their specialize services. They spend couple hundred usd monthly for advertising in forums like those.

I think the best benefit can be offered for sponsors these days is social media influence. offer them to run their promise monthly in forums social profiles. members can Like and Share spreading the word. But this needs strong social media profiles.

[deanhills]

The problem is what providers can expect from sponsor forums like these.

Agreed with this, but I don't think sponsors are banking on members of the Forum signing up for paid VPSs.  I'd have thought their intention would be more along the lines of marketing their business and making people aware of the quality of their products.  Think you mentioned this too - like the way you put it - brand presence.

I like your idea about social media.  Maybe if one can get the membership to get extra credit if they click on "like" of our sponsors - or thank them for their great product - provided it is great of course - do you think that may be an idea?

[Conan]

@deanhills
imho, its more likely that those kind of users will just invite them to join these kind of forums.
Brand presence? I think it"s better to just take their bet on LET/LEB since a lot of people buys VPSs for idling lol. (Much higher chances of getting customers and brand presence imho)

As for publicly "thanking" a sponsor, that"s a very bad idea. Would be considered shilling tbh. Because they get free products.

[deanhills]

@deanhills
imho, its more likely that those kind of users will just invite them to join these kind of forums.
Brand presence? I think it"s better to just take their bet on LET/LEB since a lot of people buys VPSs for idling lol. (Much higher chances of getting customers and brand presence imho)

As for publicly "thanking" a sponsor, that"s a very bad idea. Would be considered shilling tbh. Because they get free products.

Possibly agreed.  But I'm sure there are subtle ways in which sponsors can be rewarded via the social media.  Such as reviews, ability to advertise, one could also give more information on the sponsors by linking them with a profile page.  Just ideas that occur spontaneously.  If one puts ones head on it, I'm sure there are many other ways of doing it too.

[xdude]

@deanhills

Agree with you on this. There are plenty of ways to do this like Facebook reviews, Likes and shares. Also Google product reviews. All we need to do is give a feedback/review about the service we used. It doesn't matter it's free or not im sure it would be something valuable for those sponsors.

[Lampard]

@deanhills

Agree with you on this. There are plenty of ways to do this like Facebook reviews, Likes and shares. Also Google product reviews. All we need to do is give a feedback/review about the service we used. It doesn't matter it's free or not im sure it would be something valuable for those sponsors.

I also agree with this idea, at least this will give something a sponsor a valuable thing which sponsors actually deserves.

[Honey]

I'd say there defenitely is, this forum used to have some amazing VPSes, and while some of them are still there, the new additions have been very small VMs, and not to mention that most of them are from USA, meaning It's useless for someone who is not in USA or near it.

[Golden]

I think there is not a decline. I think the VPSs we are getting are good. Even tough some are small in size, they are worth it.