What should I do, End my dream or find help?

[Page]

This has been on my mind for a while now and I need to start to make that consideration since December 2023 will be among us as soon. BaysideGamers has been running for almost eight years and in the last two years, it's been going downhill, not the site to blame it's luckier to be me as life and other things going on that I can't get into it, plus I do not have the funds like I used to. I do not even know if I can able to renew it when December comes.

But got me thinking, however in the past, it has not helped in terms of people.

1. End up closing it fully, end it all. Yet I would back up and download everything so that maybe in the future if I want to return I have the site and database still, IPB. then again five years or maybe 10 years database or forum software is going to be different and might not be able to return.
2. Still being the founder of the site (CEO) of the site, however, I step down and let someone else take the role of an admin who would have full control of everything. Someone who takes over building and growing the site, still talking and contacting me for approval or ideas. I would still work doing the server backend related but the admin to take the full IPB-related stuff.

BaysideGamers is dead. I can't put enough into it myself as I used to. I love to keep it going for another eight years. however, it's eating up my cash for what! just sitting there idle. Whoever becomes admin has to accept that there is no money. You end up earning an x-amount from the ads or other related earnings that the site may receive. however, the amount of cash would need to go back into the server costs. I can't be looking at renewing in December for another three years if it's not going to grow.

I have hired many people in the past, from mods to temps admins. Most people that became mods have failed me. They came and the first couple of weeks get active by posting. however, they are helping themselves and at most; I end up dealing with simple jobs myself. Other times they don't return and so months later I had to remove them since they just lost interest. The only person that really has helped out and supported is Ash, Ash became a temporary admin who came out in his free time to change and bring ideas to the site and made it better, however, he had to leave since college and life; he had to retire the other sites that he had running and sold them.

 

[Deleted member 57615]

All good things come to an end, some day. Back it up, close it down for a while and restart whenever it's healthy to do so. I know you've been struggling to get staff and if no one from your community wants to take over, it's best to accept that a closure is for now the best thing to do. Once you gain your motivation back, you can revive the place or start fresh.

 

[Cam]

That’s a question only you can answer. When it’s time to move on, I think you’ll know. It doesn’t hurt to sit a project to the side and come back to it later on. We all have different aspects of our life that pull us away at times.

 

[Shortie_]

It's always sad when something you put a lot into ends up dying off and with forums that can happen a lot more than we care to admit. Sometimes it is best to back up the site, close it, and take a break from things and if you feel ready to come back someday, you have something there that you can bring back in time.

This however is something that only you can make a decision on as only you know how much time you have to put into the forum.

 

[Katrina]

I'm sorry you've gotten to that point. I have no advice to offer except this, make absolute sure that the decision you make is one you won't regret later. The ShouldaWouldaCouldas can play havoc with the brain.

 

[Carlos X]

Bro, if you can extract IPB out of there... Contact me.

I'm interested! I honestly don't care if you think the website is dead... Database. Database. Database. As long as you have access to a database, you can move it anywhere.

Coooonnnnnntaaaaaact me.

Typing "Dear god" does not turn up good memes. Oh my god. Lord. Please, tell me there's a pathway.

 

[Ravenfreak]

Ultimately it's up to you, do you want to sell the site to another person so they can take over or do you wish to just download a database and let the site go offline? I see that Carlos is interested, perhaps you can send him a private message so the site is at least still online and in good hands.

 

[NeoMetallix]

I know this is old and we're almost to December but do you really need IPB? Just port it to a free software. People these days who join forums don't give a crap about all the "features", they can't even be bothered to look at the calendar of the forum. There are plenty of free software out there that are adequate and will save you money. This is the Tiktok generation, having cool extras will go unnoticed.

 

[John]

I know this is old and we're almost to December but do you really need IPB? Just port it to a free software. People these days who join forums don't give a crap about all the "features", they can't even be bothered to look at the calendar of the forum. There are plenty of free software out there that are adequate and will save you money. This is the Tiktok generation, having cool extras will go unnoticed.

Yeah, I 100% agree with this. You don't have to have a flashy forum software, lightning fast hosting, and a one of a kind theme to have a successful forum. Doing that could allow you to keep the lights on longer, and if nothing else, delay the decision further to what you actually want to do.

 

[Saphira]

If you don't have the time for it: either sell/hand over to someone who has, or close it. Ask around in your community if someone is willing to take over the staff. If you think the person(s) responding are capable: go for it. Do not offer to "stay and do stuff in the background". If you hand it over, it's theirs, and their ideas to go for. You're basically offering your community a way to keep in touch and go on without you, because you don't have the time.
If no one steps up, or no one whom you're willing to transfer your community to, close it. Give your members a notice date ("this site will close on dd/mm/yyyy") and make sure you EMAIL all so that also those not frequently online will get the message.

I believe community founders/owners should be driving the content, to some extent. You're providing a platform to your users, and of course it shouldn't be a one-man (or one-woman) show, but you should be steering the community in the direction you envision. If you can't put time and effort in that, let someone else who can.

 

[BeautifulAngel]

Hey @Page

I’ve been following this thread and I can’t help but feel for you. Running a forum for so many years, especially when life and financial constraints hit, is no small feat. It’s clear you’ve poured so much of yourself into BaysideGamers, and I completely understand the emotional weight that comes with this decision.


It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, and the reality of the situation—having to make tough choices about the future of the site—is never easy. You’ve done your best, and sometimes circumstances just don't align the way we hope they will. I think it’s great that you’re thinking ahead about keeping the database and backups; who knows what the future holds? But it’s definitely smart to be realistic about the challenges you’re facing now.


You also brought up something really important about leadership. Stepping down and letting someone else take the reigns is such a big decision, but it can also breathe new life into the site, especially if the new admin is fully invested in growing the community. It’s important to have someone who can dedicate the time and energy it needs, and hopefully, that person will respect your vision for the site while bringing fresh ideas to the table.


In the end, though, it’s all about making the right decision for you, both personally and financially. If stepping away from it is what’s best for you, then that’s okay too. You've put so much effort into building the community and it’s tough to let go, but sometimes, letting go is part of the growth process.


Just know you’ve done your best, and no matter what you decide, your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.


Wishing you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do!

 

[Page]

@BeautifulAngel,

Thanks for the reply. Over time, I’ve gradually stepped back more and more, from days to months to years, to the point where the site has only declined. When staff members become inactive, the site follows suit. Finding reliable people isn’t easy; you can post openings, but most don’t stick around long enough or lose interest quickly.

I’ve hired staff before, but none lasted long. either they weren’t what I expected or they just couldn’t continue. There was only one person who truly helped me, but life comes first, and he had to focus on his college journey.

Then there are the costs, I can only do so much with the funds I have, just like anything else. But no matter what I try, it always seems to fall short.

What I really need is help, people who step up and say, “Hey, I can be a staff member, I can help.” All I ask from the owner is to give me full control and the freedom to do what’s needed, as long as they’re comfortable with it.

Anyway, at the moment with V5 out now, it's like looking for a all-new hosting provider

 

[BeautifulAngel]

@BeautifulAngel,

Thanks for the reply. Over time, I’ve gradually stepped back more and more, from days to months to years, to the point where the site has only declined. When staff members become inactive, the site follows suit. Finding reliable people isn’t easy; you can post openings, but most don’t stick around long enough or lose interest quickly.

I’ve hired staff before, but none lasted long. either they weren’t what I expected or they just couldn’t continue. There was only one person who truly helped me, but life comes first, and he had to focus on his college journey.

Then there are the costs, I can only do so much with the funds I have, just like anything else. But no matter what I try, it always seems to fall short.

What I really need is help, people who step up and say, “Hey, I can be a staff member, I can help.” All I ask from the owner is to give me full control and the freedom to do what’s needed, as long as they’re comfortable with it.

Anyway, at the moment with V5 out now, it's like looking for a all-new hosting provider

That's a huge shame but as you've mentioned it is very difficult to find help good help. If I was into Bayside Games I'd help you out but I am not a gamer so that wouldn't really work out at all.

Hopefully in time you will be able to find a solution that will help both you and your community. All the best =)

 

[Lord Saru]

Hey

I would have gladly helped, but unfortunately I am not a Gamer. Its sad to see BaySide go down because from day earlier days in FP, BaySide used to be a common name and place around here.