example of what the front page will look like in the future
So what’s the deal? Actually there is no "deal". I'm trying to make $5m (US) by selling 5,000,000 dots (pixels) for a $1 each, which is why the site is named "Five Million Dots". My main motivation is to pay off a massive amount of bills, pay for my daughter’s college education and donate the rest to my church, Fletcher Memorial Baptist Church, so they can build a Family Life Center which is going to cost around 2.3 million dollars to build. My church will get the bulk of the funds (about 90%). I don't want my church to go into debt to build the center. Anyone and everyone is welcome to buy my "dots", they are available in 100-pixel blocks (each 10x10 pixels). I would sell smaller blocks of dots, however anything smaller would be difficult to display anything that was very visible. I have a dot "size" legend on the buy dots page.
You can buy as many dots (pixel spaces) as you like; as long as they are available (see the page stats in the top right corner). When you buy your dots you can display any image or logo you want in your space. You can even have the image hyperlinked to a site of your choice. A text link ad and link will also be placed on the "Dot List" page for each dot purchase. If you don't know anything about graphics, don't worry about it, I can create the graphic for you.
Please no pornographic, obscene or offensive images or site links please.
I will display your images and links permanently. The main page and Dot List page will not change. I guarantee to keep your images, text and links up for at least ten years, hopefully longer God willing. Think about it, you and your dots will become part of Internet history and you will have your own spot on the Internet!
If you already advertise on other websites, I encourage you to advertise on Five Million Dots. Be bold, try something new, I guarantee you will get results! Who am I? My name is Allen Harkleroad; I am currently 42 years old and live in a small Georgia town called Statesboro. Due to an extended illness about two years ago I incurred a lot of debt and my small business suffered. It's been quite a struggle trying to earn a living since then, more of the money the company makes goes out than comes in, it's hard to make ends meet. So why do I need 5 million dollars and what will I do with the money?
I have collectors breathing down my neck and I have been living off my home equity loan account for the last two years as there hasn't been enough company income left at the end of each month to write myself a paycheck. I have to do everything myself because I can't afford to hire anyone to assist me. Sometimes there is more to do in a day than one person can do. In the fall of last year my daughter started college and a good bit is covered by the Hope scholarship, unfortunately not all of it. I want so badly to make sure she graduates from college.
The church that I am a member of started a fundraising campaign (Imagine What God Will Do) a little over a year ago to raise funds to build a family life center (projected cost 2.3 million dollars). My wife and I made a weekly commitment towards the life center building program in addition to our weekly tithing. It's been a struggle and we cut corners and budget our money to ensure that we can meet our commitments. I want to be able to help my church and church family as they have helped us so much in the last several years. I want to help build the family life center at my church.
I work 5 1/2 days a week from about 4am till 5 or 6 pm (sometimes later) just to make enough money to pay our basic necessities. I owe a huge amount to credit card companies and for medical treatment that I had received. I cut up my credit cards two years ago, thanks to Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, so I don't have any new debt, only old debt to pay off. I just never have seen to be able to break even since my illness and recovery. It's been a constant struggle just to make ends meet each month.
If I could get the debt off my back and start back on square one, I know that things will be better. At the same time I can help my church build the new life center. Whatever is left after I pay off all of my debts and put away enough to cover my daughters college tuition will go to my church. You can find me at Fletcher Baptist nearly every Wednesday evening and on Sunday's. I am a Fletcher Sunday School Ministry volunteer, my wife and I help with Wednesday night supper once a month, I coordinate Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Class twice a year (13 weeks per class), and do whatever else is needed there. It is a blessing to be able to serve, I want to do so much more than I am currently able.
I also have a couple of ideas for my business but don't have the funds to pay for an additional employee or fund the projects I have in mind.
 Me with my huge box of bills and my folder full of collection notices
I could also use some new clothes, I'm tired of buying my clothes at Goodwill. 
I will post on the blog page (on this site) as I pay off the debts, put aside monies for my daughters education, and offerings to my church to fund the life center. I want you to hold me accountable for these things and know that the money spent to buy your dots and spots are going to good use.
I have complete faith that if it's God's will for this idea to succeed that it will. God knows my heart and that is all that matters.
Some people will probably think this site is funny or stupid, its neither, but that's okay. I really am selling dots (pixels) on this site for $1 each. Yeah, I am hustling dots, and I am proud!
Why should I buy your dots?
Because you will have an image and link to your website that could possibly be seen by millions of people over the coming years. This site will be online a minimum of ten years, hopefully as long as there is an Internet, I guarantee that. You really can own a piece of Internet history and have your own personal spot on this website. Even if you don't buy a spot on Five Million Dots, please share this site with others via email, blogs and social networks.
From an advertising standpoint, where else can you get ten years of online for such a small amount of money? If you have ever purchased banner ad, text ad or Pay Per Click advertising you know a hundred bucks is only a few days worth, maybe a weeks worth at most. Here is your chance to get a incoming link to your website for ten years for literally nothing. If you look at the per day cost of the dots (10 years = 3,650 days of advertising) it's a great deal. Images and links that are displayed on the front page also get a text link ad on the "Dot List" page. Even more important is the link to your site, these will help you with the search engines, Five Million Dots is an advertisers dream come true.
What can't I buy just one dot?
Having thought about this for quite a while, it would be neat if people could buy a single dot on this site. The problem is that it wouldn't be visible to the naked eye because a single dot (pixel) couldn't display anything very meaningful. Just image 5,000,000 random colored dots the size of a pinhead, it would make your eyes water and look awful.
I also thought that this idea would appeal to people with businesses and websites as a form of advertising that could be seen by millions of visitors for many years to come. If you really just want one dot, consider teaming up with some friends, family or business partners and buy a 10x10 block together.
If you wish to make a contribution less than the minimum you can still use the PayPal secure link on the Buy a Dot page and donate whatever you feel lead to give, unfortunately I can't give links or images unless dots are purchased. Every dollar helps towards my goal!
How long will Five Million Dots be online?
I guarantee this site will be online for at least ten years (January 17, 2018), my goal is to keep it up permanently and online forever (or as long as humanly possible).
Think of it as an Internet time capsule that is unique and permanent. You can be a part of it!
At some point very soon (as soon as I can afford the programming) I will have a dot count widget that you can put on your own website, that will update automatically each time a dot is sold.
Can I track your dot sales on my own site or blog?
Sure you can! Just download the text file below and paste the HTML code into your own site pages:
Where did you get the idea for Five Million Dots?
I can honestly say it wasn't my idea. A few years ago an college student in the U.K., did something very similar. He managed to pay his school and a few other things. I know this idea isn't new and that it has been done before. I figure what have I got to lose, so here I am hustling dots!
If anyone can succeed with this idea a second time it is I, God willing of course.
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