Here is a list of questions we’ve been asked about The Clever Boater.
If you have a question we haven’t answered, Contact Us!
How much does it cost to run The Clever Boater?
Our fixed monthly costs are $87.00 per month for hosting and newsletter service. Local business licenses, taxes, and LLC fees cost $850 on startup and run another $250 per year. While building the website, we invested around $3,000 in software and design tools. Many of the software tools we use charge a yearly update and support fee, which can amount to up to $1,250.00 per year. For example, this FAQ tool costs $29.00 per year.
In creating our content, we must license images and pay a fee for the AI image generator we use to create our post graphics. On average, we spend $45.00 per month on these services.
Finally, there is the cost of promotion. One of the challenges in building a new online presence is that the adage, “Build It And They Will Come,” doesn’t work in today’s digital age. While Google and Bing search engines will drive traffic eventually, it takes them six to nine months before they start sending any volume of traffic in your direction. Also, the frequency and ranking of a website in search results are determined in part by how much traffic that website receives. So, you don’t get traffic unless you have traffic!
Promoting a website is the way to jump-start it. This means purchasing advertising on sites like Facebook, Pinterest, Reddit, and Instagram. Since we went live in July, we’ve invested $1,600 in paid promotion. Hopefully, as search traffic improves over time, we can lower our monthly advertising spending.
(We will update this FAQ occasionally as our costs change.)
How much do you earn on advertising and commissions?
In our first six months of operation, we’ve earned a whopping $16.34 in Amazon affiliate sales commissions and $45.22 in other affiliate earnings. Our hope is that we can earn enough affiliate revenue over time to cover our fixed hosting costs. Much of our display advertising is donated to help promote organizations and businesses that have helped us become better boaters.
How can we support The Clever Boater?
The best way to support us is to spread the word! Tell your friends, family, or anyone you know who is interested in boats. Also rating our articles and adding comments helps as well! There is a comment block at the bottom of every article.
Other ways to support us are:
- If you use Facebook, you can like and subscribe to our page @TheCleverBoater.
- You can patronize our advertisers by clicking on their ads in the sidebar and bottom of the page.
- Get some “It’s A Lifestyle” stickers and display them on your boat and car!
- If you see a product in one of our articles with an Amazon product link, you can click the link to buy it.
- You can browse on Amazon.com by clicking this link.
- And if you just want to say thanks, you can Buy Us A Coffee!
Are you connected with the AGLCA?
We are very involved in the AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association). The Clever Boater is a proud Corporate Sponsor. Personally, Brenda and I are Lifetime Members and Platinum Loopers. We also volunteer as Harbor Hosts at our Palm Coast, Florida, home port.
Aside from the above, there is no connection between The Clever Boater and AGLCA. All opinions expressed on this site are those of the Authors and do not represent the AGLCA or any other organization. The AGLCA does not explicitly endorse or sponsor The Clever Boater.
Do you accept guest articles?
Yes! We would love to have you send us an article. We’ll provide you with your own Author Profile and a link to your personal blog, website and/or Facebook page!
Just drop us a note using our Contact Us form.
