Are you an ethical webmaster?

[Beverly]

For me, being an ethical webmaster means always watching out for my blog readers to ensure that I don't recommend a product unless I think it's in their best interest. Though I want to earn money from my blog, I don't make random recommendations just to earn an easy dollar. That includes ad space sold for products or affiliate product recommendations.

Keeping my reader's trust is most important. That's another reason i don't sell tweets. I don't want my readers to be burdened with spam ads.

What's your own personal definition of being an ethical webmaster or blogger?

 

[lowrider.STi]

I'm the same. Only like this you will keep your readers and make the come back everytime.

 

[lucasbytegenius]

I am an ethical webmaster as well. I never trick my members into going somewhere or by shocking them with something.
I also never pirate web software, unlike some other webmasters I know.

 

[Shortie861]

Same with me, it's just not in my nature to want to palm off a load of lies and false information to my readers because it could help me earn money. I am always honest to gain my viewers trust. In the end you will always get caught out so I can never understand why so many do it to be honest.

 

[isuit21]

I am using a with extensions, in order for me to get more twitter followers, but I am not selling any tweets. My readers should only get what they have ordered.

 

[BigBigFan]

I am absolutely an ethical webmaster. While it's possible to profit by being a dirtbag, sneak or cheat you don't earn more money in the long run. I prefer that my web empire be built strong, not built quick and fast, I'm in it for the long haul.

 

[tommymaczoidberg]

For me, being an ethical webmaster means always watching out for my blog readers to ensure that I don't recommend a product unless I think it's in their best interest.

That's a very risky position to take. Remember, you're not their mother. It's one thing to try a product yourself and write what you think about it. It's quite another to hold some notion of knowing what's best for your readers. I think that's going a little far.

As for being an ethical webmaster.....I think you shouldn't confuse webmaster and web author. A webmaster develops and maintains web sites on a regular basis. A web author writes articles on the web.

 

[Jessi]

Yes, absolutely.

To a fault even actually. There are definitely plenty of revenue options that I turned down because I didn't want to sell out. I want to be someone that my readers can actually trust and often times that means turning away income.

 

[Jessi]

As for being an ethical webmaster.....I think you shouldn't confuse webmaster and web author. A webmaster develops and maintains web sites on a regular basis. A web author writes articles on the web.

Actually, it can refer to all of the above. A webmaster now tends to be anyone who runs a site...and that includes a 'web author' who has a blog and produces content.

"A webmaster (from web and master),[1] also called a web architect, web developer, site author, or website administrator, is a person responsible for maintaining one or many websites."

"An alternative definition of webmaster is a businessperson who uses online media to sell products and/or services. This broader definition of webmaster covers not only technical aspects of overseeing website construction and maintenance, but also managing website content, advertising, marketing, and order fulfillment."

 

[BigBigFan]

If you keep a page that details your internet activity then you're officially a site owner, content publisher, verified internet genius and probably somebody worth pitching an ebook to. That's the sad reality of the net, no longer is journalism accreditation the benchmark of being a *good* writer. I love the internet!

 

[Samurai]

Of course that I'm an ethical webmaster. I turned down quite a few offers to promote low-quality products. I would never recommend something that I didn't find valuable. Doing so would not only make me feel like a sleazy marketer, it would also hurt me in the long run. Always focus on providing value and sooner or later you'll get rewarded for that.

 

[OhioTom76]

I wouldn't post fake reviews or reviews for low quality products for many of the reasons listed above but also because you're essentially leaving a trail of activity out there on the internet, especially if you are using your real name on your site. If you were running scam sites in the past, it would be rather easy for people to do a search for your name and/or email address and pull up your activity on other sites, or even Archive.org copies of your own site.

 

[Tara]

I'm an ethical webmaster. Being ethical means following the guidelines and rules set down by my industry. I'm licensed and have to follow certain rules otherwise....it won't be good.

I provide accurate and current information. I let them know about the connection to the products that I sell. I'm completely transparent. I go beyond the guideline of my profession. Better safe and sorry.

 

[bauss]

Sometimes. I'll usually just recommend a product that I believe is the best for my users, but I'm always open to suggestions, because your members keep your website going, and it's important that you make it the best possible resource for your users.

 

[Nymph]

On some level, our ideas of "ethical" seem to branch out at a crossroads. Bloggers aiming to make a living will want readers, and more importantly buyers, to return to their advice more than once. Whether you buy a product or try a service out yourself, or pirate it for the sake of figuring out whether your readers will find success with the product for whatever their problem is, or even trusting the reviews of the most reputable review sites, does not make you more or less ethical either way. That's because you may not be looking to sucker people into giving up their money, that would be unethical.

Is it ethical to do this just because you want your readers to trust you because you want more money from them, or because you genuinely want to help people with these problems? It's a topic that is highly opinionated and the answer is; it depends on your values. What you consider ethical and unethical. Generally, you will want your readers to come back to you instead of going on a one time buy, never to listen to you again if the product doesn't fulfill their expectations.

I will personally do whatever it takes to verify that a product is a quality product to get my readers coming back for my advice, which they often do because of this. If you want to be successful, there are some values you may have to change. It's a necessary price for an online business where there is no such thing as FDA regulations or any regulations at all for that matter. This is only as far as promoting products go, however.

 

[Codi]

Yes, I feel like it is important to be an ethical blogger. To me, this means being honest--in product reviews, opinions, and thoughts. It also means disclosing items that I am being compensated for on my blog. I wouldn't feel right lying for money or tricking my readers into anything. I try to treat my readers as I like to be treated by blogs that I don't own. I think that's it...that it just all comes down to the Golden Rule, do unto others...etc.
I absolutely do not want to be associated with disinformation. I want my blogs to be trusted and reliable. To me, that is more important than money.

 

[Yorozuya]

I am ethical too because I mostly sell Clickbank products, and they have a 60 day money back guarantee in case the customer is not satisfied with the product. So there really is no point in selling them something that they will throw back at you. I only sell products that I have personally tried, and all of my sites have a "contact me" page, where my visitors can ask me any questions they might have.

 

[mkcookin]

I consider myself ethical, and I believe anyone serious about this online business needs to be. People are buying from people the know, like, and trust more now then ever.

So you reputation online is everything. It is even more important then the products you make, and the website you own.

The second, you start promoting useless products, and spamming your customers, they will grow weary of you and leave.

 

[Canadian Lover]

That's a very risky position to take. Remember, you're not their mother. It's one thing to try a product yourself and write what you think about it. It's quite another to hold some notion of knowing what's best for your readers. I think that's going a little far.

As for being an ethical webmaster.....I think you shouldn't confuse webmaster and web author. A webmaster develops and maintains web sites on a regular basis. A web author writes articles on the web.

]
I agree. I think being a ethical webmaster includes obeying copyright laws, not using pirated software to develop software, and not design annoy sites that take over or limit functionality of their computer.


As far as being a web author is concerned, I also do not hold the notion that I know better than my readers. I don't like the idea of a web content author believing they know better than anyone else readi ng their article.

 

[Teekay]

I would like to think that I am, however being ethical is quite subjective and principles/morals in life and business vary from person to person.