The Ecommerce Expert

Successful Ecommerce Businesses Start Here

  • Home
  • Services
    • Ecommerce PPC Management
    • Conversion Rate Optimization
    • Ecommerce Consulting
    • Website Design / Redesign
  • Free Resources

Facebook Hints at Charging Users for Service

By Eric Leuenberger 28 Comments

Facebook has been working on and is in the early stages of an internal payment system.

For a while now they have tried to work out a business plan that would generate revenue from its over 100,000,000 users. Lately word is stirring that they have hinted more at the possibility of charging users for their service. Exactly how remains to be seen but some thoughts have been possibly charging for the use of vanity urls (currently free so get one while they are) or even for allowing you to purchase credits that can be used to buy virtual goods from the third-party applications that run on the site, or from Facebook itself.

There has yet to be a full disclosure of the concept but it brings me to the new poll I’m running on the site (look to the right side of the screen and scroll down a bit in the navigation areas): “If Facebook began to charge for their service, would you still use it?”

Voice your opinion and let me know your thoughts.

****** UPDATE 1/15/10 ******

People, please take note of the original date of this post. The original date was June of 2009 (thus the reason you see no “poll in the right side of the page”—it’s long gone and was only there during June of 2009.) The report was based off of data gathered during that time period and merely passed on by me here. Not sure what has caused everyone to suddenly search for this online, but be aware that this original post is over a half a year old (funny how people’s search habits are.)

Here is a link to what apparently sparked the craze on the internet back then (early 2009) …
//www.snopes.com/computer/internet/fbcharge.asp

Here’s what Facebook had to say about this way back during that time (Second QTR 2009):

Regarding the issue of whether Facebook would ever charge users for its social networking services, that company’s chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, said in an April 2009 Business Week interview that: “The answer is no, we are not planning on charging a basic fee for our basic services. Once again, that question stems from people thinking we’re growing so quickly, we’re running out of money. We’re growing really quickly, but we can finance that growth. We’re not going to charge for our basic services.”

Sources:
Business Week. “Sheryl Sandberg on Facebook’s Future.” , 7 April 2009.

Point taken, case closed.

Related posts:

  1. Facebook Offers Fan Box Widgets, Live Fan Page Streaming for Your Site
  2. Should you create a Facebook Group or Fan Page for your E-commerce Site?
  3. Facebook Vanity URLs … Get ’em While They are Available
  4. Facebook’s New Privacy Settings: What Does this Mean for You?

Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: facebook, facebook charging users

Books by The Ecommerce Expert

Google Analytics Uncovered: How to Set Up and Maximize Ecommerce Data in Google Analytics
Available on Amazon Now!

About Eric Leuenberger

Ecommerce conversion marketing expert who has been helping store owners since 1995 increase sales and build more profitable, more sustainable ecommerce businesses.

Comments

  1. Jason Eyermann says

    June 20, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    I am surprised not to see advertising from high profile companies other than this very dodgy spam like ads that appear. People spend a lot of time on Facebook.

    Reply
  2. Eric says

    July 27, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    Facebook does get in front of a lot of people but I’m not sure how “targeted” they can make their ad system (I’ve never tried it.)

    If it’s not sophisticated enough to target (although I would doubt this) based on demographics etc… then that could be the reason bigger companies don’t jump on board. They like to target the right groups so they get the biggest bang for their buck.

    Just a thought.

    Reply
  3. jay galloway says

    October 28, 2009 at 11:51 pm

    If Facebook started charging users I would be done with it for good and ever. Most people I know feel the same way. Don’t do it !

    Reply
  4. Tiffany Rupp says

    October 30, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    The purpose of facebook is so that people can touch base with each other inexpensively. If facebook starts to charge it’s users people will stop using it especially with the economy the way it is and everyone is cutting back on everything…. Why wouldn’t everyone go to a free site like my space if FB started to charge…. don’t do it a lot of people will quit….

    Reply
  5. mark says

    November 4, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    they say time to pay, most will say “cya facebook” including me.. pay for this? LOL they have to be kidding. don’t they generate enough from the stupid advertising??? Sure way to kill the site!

    Welcome to the world of greed……

    Reply
  6. Chris Allen says

    December 6, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    If Facebook did this it would go under. Everyone would leave and a new site would get made. Unless there’s another one already that would suddenly achieve prominence. If there’s something just as good for free, why use a pay site?

    Reply
  7. Angel says

    December 19, 2009 at 6:21 am

    MSN closed their groups and message boards down, so people moved to other places; some lost out on friendships, but most are carrying on as normal.

    If they wanted to charge for all my pages I would simply move over to elsewhere, there is already My Space.

    Reply
  8. Tenna says

    December 20, 2009 at 11:01 am

    Sure with all the slow loading, cant find the site, lost goodies, Cant access games, Cant get on the homepage. missing Friends and the list goes on. Why not pay for such poor service, NOT. I’ll move on if they start charging a fee to use their site. Facebook does Not have the Monopoly even if they think they do.

    Reply
  9. Kevin says

    December 21, 2009 at 3:05 am

    Would I pay for Facebook ? Simple answer NO.

    Reply
  10. Karen Hardicker says

    December 21, 2009 at 7:47 am

    If Facebook start charging users it would be the death of it. Stupid lot!

    Reply
  11. Daniel Runfola says

    December 21, 2009 at 9:56 am

    I don’t need or want Facebook that much to pay for it.

    Reply
  12. matt says

    December 21, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    Another typical greedy move from a site that so clearly is trying to undermind its followers! something that has become such a huge success, which started out free so (conveniently) decides to introduce charges for its services! I mean its not as if they dont make enough money from advertising!! im sure the founders of facebook are astronomically richer than me, but there is no excuse for what is blatantly out and out greed! the day facebook starts to charge will be the day i delete my account. And believe me facebook, i speak the minds of millions!!

    Reply
  13. wanda says

    December 21, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    i wont use facebook if they start to charge. i have a myspace account and it is free i’ll drop fb and stay with myspace.. its better anyway u can do things to your profile and show the real you.

    Reply
  14. Anthony Dawson says

    December 21, 2009 at 11:10 pm

    A way better idea is for facebook to pay their users something for all the great and entertaining materials that is posted on there!
    I’d be for a web site that runs a monthly draw and awards its users for being part of the community.
    As for charging people for using facebook? Don’t make me laugh! I’ll be the first one to set up a free facebook lookalike!

    Reply
  15. Chris Lawley says

    December 21, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    I use Facebook regularly but would drop it in the blink of an eye if I had to pay for it. I use it simply because my mates use it, but there are plenty of (free or better) alternative methods of communicating.

    Reply
  16. Iain MacGillivray says

    December 22, 2009 at 5:23 am

    I can’t believe this is being suggested, given how tight peoples finances are.
    I do think it is an excellent way to cure peoples Facebook addictions however, like mine. I would definately leave and so would everyone i’ve spoken to so far.

    DON’T DO IT.

    Reply
  17. James Wilson says

    December 26, 2009 at 9:27 am

    No – absolutely not. An awful lot of people would just go back to Messenger, despite its shortcomings

    Reply
  18. annie from Fremantle says

    December 27, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    I wouldn’t use it. Another bright spark would come up with an idea to make a site similar to facebook and charge nothing. With time, people would gravitate there because they don’t want to pay for a service that was formerly free to all.

    It’s just greed.

    Reply
  19. Paula Jones says

    December 28, 2009 at 11:19 am

    GET REAL! Who makes the money off of us buying Farmville cash and paying to get advanced quicker?????? They are just like all the politicians, republicans and democrats. – — greedy, greedy, selfish, and deceptive. I won’t pay and neither will friends of mine I have talked to.

    Reply
  20. Rob Dove says

    December 28, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Many FB users are on FB because myspace sucks, and classmates wants to charge you to find old friends. Enough people would pay to make it profitable, I suppose, but I won’t be one of them. Start compiling all your FB friends email addresses now. Just in case.

    Reply
  21. kally says

    December 28, 2009 at 3:47 pm

    there’s no way i wood still use FB if they started charging… the only reason i have one is cuz its free… other than that there’s nothing ‘Special’ about it… they will lose to may ppl if this is true… if the start charging they can kiss millions of ppl goodbye (including me!)

    Reply
  22. Becky says

    December 29, 2009 at 7:57 pm

    IF they start to charge, I’m going back to myspace! as much as they stink!

    Reply
  23. kat says

    December 31, 2009 at 9:52 am

    IT WOULD BE “BYE BYE” FACEBOOK IF THEY STARTED CHARGING!!!!!!!

    Reply
  24. Concerned Canadian says

    January 8, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    If they charge all ads should stop why would I pay to be advertised to.

    BAAAAAD Model

    Reply
  25. Shari Shovels says

    January 8, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    Reletively speaking, facebook is a way for most people to communicate with other people in other states without the high costs of phone bills and such. Most people in this economy are cutting back and would they pay for an unnecessity in their life, not a chance. There are far more other sites that still go on free of charge, and there would be a mass exeduce from facebook, they would not have a clue what happened. Think about it, if there is a family of four that each have their own account, would they shell out the money to keep all accounts open, not a chance. Whomever is in charge of marketing for facebook should definately lose their job.

    Reply
  26. Crystal says

    January 11, 2010 at 3:05 am

    I can’t find the poll but if Facebook starts charging I will NOT use it and will demand a refund from the games I play that I have put money into.

    Reply
  27. jebba street says

    January 15, 2010 at 1:19 am

    YES do it, I cannot wait for the downfall of Facebook! It’s run it’s course now, everyone is sick of it, but everyone is slave to it. They don’y give you enough control and change your pages all the time without warning. Myspace is YOUR space, you have much more freedom! I only use FB out of necessity, otherwise if I had a choice I wouldn’t bother!

    Their customer service is awful, not once have they ever replied to my concerns! I’m sick of that Marc Zuckerberger, he’s supposed to be a genius coder, yet it never works half the time, it’s so painful to use I give up a lot of the time! Plus he stitched a lot of people up to get to where he is now, he owes other people for his success.

    I say charge, then FB will finally disappear forever and it’ll make a lot of people happy! All someone has to do is create a similar site that’s interactive, but gives you more freedom to personalise your space. Facebook currently sucks bigtime!

    Reply
  28. Georgette Wood says

    February 2, 2010 at 6:56 pm

    I will be one of the people that will be dropping FB, if FB starts charging people to use their site. Everyone is money hungry now a days and it’s ridiculous. I think they get paid enough considering that people pay them for advertisement on there page.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

  • Blogging
  • Conversion
  • Customer Retention
  • Design & Usability
  • E-Commerce Optimization
  • Email Marketing
  • Featured
  • Google Adwords
  • Increase sales
  • Marketing Strategies
  • Mobile Commerce
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Search Marketing
  • Security
  • Shopping Cart Abandonment
  • Social Media
  • Website Analytics
  • Zen Cart
  • Zen Cart Contributions
  • Popular
  • Recent

About

The Ecommerce Expert offers products and services that help move ecommerce businesses toward growth and success. Our products and services help store owners maximize their ROI, decreasing expenses and increasing revenue. The net result is sustainable growth and stability with above average results.

Services

  • Conversion Rate Optimization
  • Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
  • Ecommerce PPC Management
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Ecommerce Consulting
  • Website Design / Redesign

Copyright © 2023 | Privacy Policy

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT