Some can, and might leave since some people think you are "selling out" and not caring much about the community and its members.
I don't really care if people make forums solely to earn money since web hosting can be expensive for poor people. As long as the community is decent and the forum is spam and pop-up ad free. I will visit the forum providing it is interesting.
Re: Can people tell when you are making a forum just for $$$
I know some people here have gotten a bit of a reputation for it, but I figure most of the members at said forums won't realise it until the deed is done.
Re: Can people tell when you are making a forum just for $$$
I've never created a forum for the purpose of making money solely, I did place a Google Adsense ad but after a while I removed it and that was because I needed money to maintain the forum.
Re: Can people tell when you are making a forum just for $$$
I'm guesing sending affiliate links via mass PM and mass e-mails to tell people to buy stuff from affiliates or donate, so you can make more from affiliate marketing and donation is a big clue that you mostly care about the $$$ and not the community.
Re: Can people tell when you are making a forum just for $$$
Yeah it's pretty obvious when someone makes a forums to generate cash, and when someone makes a forums because they want their slice on internet domination.
The person doing it for $$ will put in the least amount possible to make things happen. Both money and effort usually. Where the person wanting internet domination will stop at nothing to get things started, keep things going, and make sure everyone has a good time along the way.
Huge difference IMO and it usually shows within a few minutes of being on the site.
Re: Can people tell when you are making a forum just for $$$
As long as the management balances generating revenue as opposed to managing the actual community, I'm not really fussed. If the adverts get in my way, however, then I start to turn green.
