Ads on Team Website
 

I haven't been able to look at the criteria for the websites due to FIRST has changed their website. I was wondering if anyone has ads on their teams websites. Not like pop-ups, but maybe some AdSense from google. Or has some industry related companies that you advertise for. Hoping to use the website to raise some money, but wasn't sure how it makes people feel about your website.

Re: Ads on Team Website
 

Teams put sponsor logos and links on their websites as well as on their robots and shirts. It's expected that a sponsor be recognized for their contribution.

ChiefDelphi used to sell advertising banner space to a number of companies for these forums. This may have changed since IFI now sponsors CD.

As long as the ads are appropriate to FIRST, I don't think you'll have a problem. If your ads are "overkill", you'll probably get feedback from the community.

Re: Ads on Team Website
 

As [David] said, usually teams prefer to seek sponsorships, and let any ad space on their websites be used for recognition thereof. The thing about syndicated ads is usually you get paid per view, and so unless you have a very strong viewership, I doubt you'll get much revenue (even the most popular teams probably only get a few hundred hits a month, Chief Delphi not included). It becomes a question as to whether it's worth giving up the screen real estate.

The other aspect, as this quote alludes to, is that FIRST teams are supposed to present a professional image to others, so if your site has too many ads, you may not be representing FIRST well to people, organizations, companies (potential sponsors ;)) that may be visiting your site.

--Ryan

Re: Ads on Team Website
 

Drawing funds for your team based on internet advertisements could be thought of as innovative in a business plan sense, so long as you don't disrespect your primary sponsors by putting their logos in an insignificant spot. Of course, to generate the revenue you need to generate traffic, and to do that your site should probably have something more than the typical "About Our Team" type-stuff.