Point Systems?

[Clarendon]

Many forums these days have a points system which allows members to buy things. Do you utilise a cash/points system on your website?

Normally I prefer to use post count rather than cash as it encourages activity if a user wants something in particular and benefits both our site and them.

 

[Cam]

When I first started creating forums back in the day, I thought that having a virtual currency on my forum was this super cool thing. Nowadays, I don't really see the purpose in having it. Most forums with virtual currencies seem to have no real monetary value. We've seen this problem with FP$ on Forum Promotion for at least the last few years. There's entirely way too much FP$ in circulation, and there isn't enough services and other opportunities available to spend that FP$.

 

[s3_gunzel]

Most forums with virtual currencies seem to have no real monetary value.

I'm going to stop you there.

I wouldn't care if the virtual currency could go to something on the site that is worthwhile. Not necessarily money. Problem is that forum currency is generally under-valued because site owners are only in it to make money.

 

[TheWhiteNinja978]

I always loved the idea of point systems but, unless setup is automatic I wouldn't do it.

 

[Bizarrio]

Point system is normally useless, unless members can exchange their points for cash or something. If a forum has a point system and members can do nothing with the points, then the point system is useless.

It all depends on what members can do with the points.

 

[ChrisG2010]

Point system is normally useless, unless members can exchange their points for cash or something.

This would require the forum to implement a revenue earning system. This could be adsense, automatic referral links to any links posted on the forum, etc. The money for the posting wouldn't just be able to come from no where. Plus, with the amount of users using adblock now days, it would be hard to earn money with advertisements from adsense. Although, cloudflare does offer an app you can enable that will refuse access to anyone using adblocking software on their browser. I don't think we are willing to block more than 50% of users just because of adblocking.

 

[Bizarrio]

I totally agree with you. Tools like AdBlock have changed the landscape and webmasters now earn much less than before.

Also, revenue sharing system may cause many users to abuse the system. It can bring the quality of discussions down.

 

[xXInfectedXx]

Didn't have a point system. A Point system can encourage users to post, but this can also encourage spam and low quality posts. You could set a character limit before they get rewarded with the points, to prevent this. This is one of the reasons why I didn't have this plugin installed along with the fact I was using a free host so I had limited to access to what I could do on my forum.

 

[jyy]

I've started utilizing one once I found a free solution. However, I still need to fix the name, though. It says "money", but I want it to say a certain currency like FP (Forum Promotion). Anyway, I think the answer is simple and I'm almost there.

 

[edenwax]

I'm not a huge fan of a point system. I feel like it encourages people to post for the sake of earning points rather than partaking in the conversation because they're genuinely interested.

Quality over quantity and all that.

 

[Empire]

I don't mine the points as long as the site has allot of options for the use of the points you know. Like having points and you can not use it lol

I seen many sites that I think, HAY! no need to use the points system.

 

[Mozzie]

I used to have one and a shop, but not a lot people were using it

 

[ChrisG2010]

I've started utilizing one once I found a free solution. However, I still need to fix the name, though. It says "money", but I want it to say a certain currency like FP (Forum Promotion). Anyway, I think the answer is simple and I'm almost there.

Some point systems have the name in Xenforo "phrases" and others are within the points system directly. Be sure to check phrases.

 

[jyy]

I don't mine the points as long as the site has allot of options for the use of the points you know. Like having points and you can not use it lol

That can be a problem, but at least username changes can be an easy thing implemented.

Some point systems have the name in Xenforo "phrases" and others are within the points system directly. Be sure to check phrases.

Is that a css file?

When I first started creating forums back in the day, I thought that having a virtual currency on my forum was this super cool thing. Nowadays, I don't really see the purpose in having it. Most forums with virtual currencies seem to have no real monetary value. We've seen this problem with FP$ on Forum Promotion for at least the last few years. There's entirely way too much FP$ in circulation, and there isn't enough services and other opportunities available to spend that FP$.

Occasionally a poster will pop up and take it. That makes it worth it. However, though, there can be weeks or months between these times.

 

[Empire]

That can be a problem, but at least username changes can be an easy thing implemented.

that's on option but still. need like 50 options LOL

Like able to use it for buying things, like posts or even get banners

 

[jyy]

that's on option but still. need like 50 options LOL

Like able to use it for buying things, like posts or even get banners

One attractive option might be an entry into sweepstakes for $100 or something. Also, there could be a prize for the best posts.