Yes most of the other sites have already or are converting to a paid model. ( You pay a monthly or annual fee to access the site and features ) .
We did experiment a little with a paid version but we were not happy with the response so we decided to stay free. We've adopted a Yahoo type model where we try to add content for free that should provide lots of traffic.
The challenge with this model is that we need sponsors to fund the site and keep it free. Some sponsors love sweepstakes traffic while others don't like to deal with sweepstakes oriented traffic.
Our History:
Me and my wife started the site on March 19, 1997 and we have only 2 employees ( me and my wife Diane.. can't count the dogs

. We have 2 kids Jeff (22) and Kristine (10).
The site always had tremendous traffic but I had to work doing tech support while my wife kept the house and the site going. We did this for quite a few years up until the past year.
For the past year we have been doing many upgrades and we have developed many new features to improve the site over all. Keeping the site going and hosted, upgrades and development is costly because all of the data ware housing from sweepscheck and my sweepstakes keeps expanding.
Its a 12 hour daily struggle but we are keeping at it and we hope that sponsors or potential sponsors take notice.
Our Commitment:
1. Free Membership
2. More sweepstakes that any other site on the net.
3. Good quality, ( sweepstakes are reviewed 3 times )
4. Positive place to be, Friendly atmosphere
5. Easy to use features
How you can help Keep Us Free:
1. Tell people about us
2. Use our google search or visit the google advertisers.
3. If you shop online try going thru us instead ( amazon and ebay links on main page )
4. If you already have Broadband Try Vonage & Save.
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/search.php?keyword=vonage5. These sponsors really help us and don't cost anything
a. American Dream Card Sweepstakes
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/go.php?id=50745b. Away.com - Trip of your Choice
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/go.php?id=48059c. Club Mom Sweepstakes
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/go.php?id=47392d. Direct Scholar Sweepstakes
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/go.php?id=50328e. Term in a Minute - Free Quote
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/go.php?id=51264f. General Freebies
http://www.sweepsadvantage.com/browsenew.php?cat=76. Most of the newsletters have the sponsors at the top, please visit them.
If everyone can help keep our sponsors happy then we can keep the site running fast and keep making improvements and most important of all keep the sweepstakes coming!
When you think about it taking advantage of our sponsors is not much
diffrent than watching TV and viewing commercials in exchange for the free entertainment. :D
Thank You,
-Ken