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Different revenue models of websites

“Free ‘aint free”, “If it’s too good to be true then it probably is” are common sense reactions to anything that’s free or suspiciously good value. However the Internet was built around free and so how do you recognise a decent revenue model for the internet?

The three main models are Marketing tool (so recoup through sales), Shop (recoup through sales) and Advertiser supported.

If we take for example dating websites then you can see a blend of all three in there. The marketing tool operates seemingly at a loss but promotes paid for dating services, the Shop site (can we say mail order brides?) allows you to purchase dream, and the Advertiser supported site provides the service but relies on rather risky support from advertisers of similar or perihperial products.

So, a dating site which breaks the mould is JustSayHi.com which offers a totally free service. However, just how long this will last remains to be seen - at some point the operators will have to develop a revenue stream or crash and burn like so many .com bubblers.