My Dept.s Website

[Rice09]

My dept. has decided to build a website. I'm the webmaster and have been chosen to get things going. I have it under control, but was wondering if anyone else has built their own site and how my dept. can make a little money utilizing the site. I think we're heading towards a paypal donation button, but any other ideas or thoughts would be great. thanks a lot.

[tree68]

We didn't go into anything like Paypal - we just provided information on how you can make a donation, and where to send it.

If you want to do the legwork, you could probably solicit some local business sponsors. You might not make any money on click-throughs, but for an $X donation, they get to have their logo or other info on your page.

Aside from that, we just use ours to showcase the department and keep people up on what's going on for our other fundraisers.

[Rice09]

We didn't go into anything like Paypal - we just provided information on how you can make a donation, and where to send it.

If you want to do the legwork, you could probably solicit some local business sponsors. You might not make any money on click-throughs, but for an $X donation, they get to have their logo or other info on your page.

Aside from that, we just use ours to showcase the department and keep people up on what's going on for our other fundraisers.

Good info, thanks.

[mncowboy96]

I think we're heading towards a paypal donation button, but any other ideas or thoughts would be great. thanks a lot.

I can think of pro's and con's of this but what about selling t-shirts with your department name on it? I would probably make a "resident" version of the shirt but just spitballing an idea.

[tree68]

I can think of pro's and con's of this but what about selling t-shirts with your department name on it? I would probably make a "resident" version of the shirt but just spitballing an idea.

Actually, we do do that, as well as trade patches. Not a big profit center for us.

[Rice09]

Actually, we do do that, as well as trade patches. Not a big profit center for us.

Shirts and hats are a good idea, but you're right. I looked into it and the cost is high to profit any. I'll keep working on it. Something will come of it.

[tree68]

Shirts and hats are a good idea, but you're right. I looked into it and the cost is high to profit any. I'll keep working on it. Something will come of it.

Unless you can develop a "Hollister" type following, there's only so many people who want your T-shirt (or anybody else's, for that matter - it's certainly nothing personal). In ten years I've done about three. Patches, we do 5-6 per year, and those are generally all trades.

[Rice09]

Unless you can develop a "Hollister" type following, there's only so many people who want your T-shirt (or anybody else's, for that matter - it's certainly nothing personal). In ten years I've done about three. Patches, we do 5-6 per year, and those are generally all trades.

I agree. The majority would most likely be other members.

I think I'll focus on informing the public of our dept. Our fund raising events, etc. Start there. I do think there is a potential for your logo idea, kind of like a sponsor. I can see that working.

[Rice09]

By the way, if any of you guys have a site send me the link and I'll submit it to my site's link page.

[OGFR1404]

Another good way is Facebook pages and they are free. We have alot of good response off ours Oak Grove Fire & Rescue on facebook

[mcwops]

I can think of pro's and con's of this but what about selling t-shirts with your department name on it? I would probably make a "resident" version of the shirt but just spitballing an idea.

We have always been careful when giving out or selling items to the public with our name on it. The last thing you want is a picture of a person wearing your department's name showing up on the front page or news for something bad.

[tazhog54]

Have to totally agree with that !