Quit pickin’ on us bagpipers!

Ian, I’ve had very little luck so far. I’ll likely do a post in the near future with details of the experiment. Stay tuned!

Hi John —
found your blog through Googling “paypal profit site donate”
Just wanted to ask if you have made any money from your Hiking Site’s Paypal button?

I’ll talk to the treasurer of the Mount Shasta Trail Association at our board meeting next week. Hopefully we made some money from the donate button.

I just added a donate button into a post I had written about the non-profit I work for but had not considered doing so for my actual blog… but you never know….

Gail, I can speak from my experience that your blog posts — and you — are very helpful. Please keep that info and insight coming.

I’d be surprised if I get much in the way of tips from my hiking blog. I do have higher hopes for the nonprofit Mount Shasta Trail Association.

Thanks for your experience with the Paypal donate button. I’ve also heard of other people having problems with Paypal over it, including having accounts frozen.

I’ve seen it before, of course, but haven’t seriously considered for my blogs. I look forward to seeing your results as that may influence what I decide to do if anything.

I can reinforce that PayPal polices sites using Donate buttons. Just after Katrina there were many con artists “collecting” money for “victims” online. (Some people have no shame!)

PayPal found a page where I had tested a PayPal donate button. Even though that page was not linked to from any other page on my site they threatened to close my account if I did not remove the button.

I had forgotten I even had it so removing it was not an issue and I did the same day. I almost missed their email though because back then PayPal phishing scams abounded and I thought it was a spammer and not them until I read it.

John is correct that you should ensure whatever graphic you use makes it clear somehow that you are not a non-profit.

Michel is one of the few worth reading every word. He’s that good.