October 2021

Message from Paul Mercer. (webmaster)

I need your help. Could you please spare a few minutes to read this and give your feedback below.

You may know the KawasakiZ1.com website has been around since 2009.
Some of you even have your Z featured on the website.

I am considering adding a membership area to KawasakiZ1.com which would have similar features to Facebook.
This will have additional costs such as membership plugins and superior hosting.

Why would I do this when Facebook already offers this for free?

Some people do not want to join Facebook.

Some people prefer a website that is exclusive to their interests.

The site would be exclusively for Z2, Z1, (K)Z900 and (K)Z1000 enthusiasts.
(Depending on feedback, the site could be created for enthusiasts of all Japanese Classic Motorcycles. If so, it would be on the domain, JapaneseClassicMotorcycles.com)

The website would have a more personal touch than Facebook.

Ads on the site would, in the main, be motorcycle related.
If not motorcycle related, they would be considered useful for the majority of members.

All members could list their motorcycles and/or spares for sale… as well as put in ‘wanted’ ads for similar. (on their own posts and/or on specific pages)

Any business owners offering relevant products and/or services could advertise on their own profile page / posts… as well as on specific pages for products and services.
This would include a link to their business website if applicable.
This would be at no additional cost to their membership fee.

There would be an “Events” page for classic motorcycle events worldwide.

The site could evolve to include features suggested by members.
Maybe you already have suggestions.
For example, a monthly or quarterly competition with prizes offered by business owners who are members of the website… in return for a mention on the home page of the site for the duration of the competition.

The bottom line is…

All websites cost money to set up and run.
Facebook membership is free but much of their revenue is generated from business owners advertising to the extensive Facebook membership. This usually involves tracking their members’ activity to direct them to relevant ads.

Much like Facebook, if a niche website owner offers free membership, he/she has to cover these costs somewhere. Hence the need for ads.

An alternative is to offer paid membership with no advertising, or only relevant ads with no tracking. (or minimal tracking. For example, eBay affiliate ads)

My plan is to keep the individual annual membership cost down to around £10 / $10… but to do so, I would need to have a reasonable size membership base for two reasons.

1. Make it worthwhile for people to become members.
2. To justify the costs.

Before I take this any further, it would be a great help if you could answer the following questions in the comments section below.

Would you consider joining the website if the membership fee was around £10 / $10 per year?

Please answer “Yes”, “No” or “Maybe”.

Would you prefer the membership area to be exclusive to the above mentioned Zs?
…or would you prefer a site that covers all Japanese Classic Motorcycles?

Even if you are not interested in joining, please state “Zs only” or “All Japanese Classics”. You never know, you might be interested at a later date and your answer will help.

If you wish to expand on your answer, any feedback would be welcomed.

For example … What would you expect from a paid membership?

I appreciate your time in helping me with your feedback.

Thanks in advance.
Paul Mercer