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Just curious, how many here use Google Adwords/Adsense and how beneficial (in terms of sales) is it to you. How do you track how many sales were specifically procured from the advertising? (generally, $X amount of advertising produces $XX amount in sales) (Is there a tracking code used?)
Also, how many use Inktomi and other paid advertisement programs, and again, how is your 'conversion' rate?
And finally, does anyone offer referal codes to folks - along the lines of an affiliate program? I was asked about the other day, and I haven't a clue as to even how to set one up or 'track' them. Is there a software program which does this?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
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Now this is a interesting topic. I use adwords on all my websites. I turn them on and off depending on my mood and budget. Adwords does have conversion tracking but i only use the basic form. It will give you the keyword that converted for you and how much it cost you.
I have used Adsense for a number of months and I love it. A lot of people think it's wrong because you are sending your customers to your competitors. Heck the way I look at it is people are going to leave your site because they didn't find what they were looking for or just plain didn't like my site so why not get paid for it. As best I can tell it hasn't had an effect on my sales.
I just started using Amazons affiliate program about 2 months ago and so far I'm impressed. You can set up your own affiliate program also but at this point I'm not interested in moving in that direction.
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Oh one more thought on Adwords. I only use the keywords that I'm not on first page of Google. For example I may be on page 1 for Cobalt Blue Glassware but not for Cobalt Blue Glass so in that case I would Adwords for Cobalt Blue Glass.
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Thank you, Mike!
I tried Adwords back when I started both sites (when adwords was still pretty new) and quite frankly, I spent WAY MORE than I ever converted into sales. That is, after I FINALLY got approved for the words/phrases I wanted. Shesh, was THAT an adventure in futility!
Excellent point about not using it if you already rank high, though!
I haven't done any paid advertising in over a year, but am investigating the usefulness (in terms of potential sales) for 2005.
With the "AdSense" program (which I barely knowledgeable bout), can YOU decide which page/pages to place the ads, or is it site-wide? If I understood your post correctly, YOU get paid if someone clicks the ad/s? Or is it performance based - ie, a sale has to be made in order for you to get 'credit'?
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Adsense pays you for clicks. It depends on what amount the Adword advertiser paid. For example I have been paid as high as 1.00+ for a click and as low as .03 it just depends on the keywords. Of course the high paying words are sex, gambling and real estate related. You can place your ads on the pages you choose. You now have the option of placing more than one set of ads on the same page if you choose to do so. I tried that and didn't like it. I only use one set of ads. You can choose the colors you want and they have 4 different sizes to choose from. You also can block advertisers you don't like or in direct competition with you. I mainly block the ebay affiliate sites. I have a personal dislike for those.
Amazon pays for performance. They pay between 5-7% of the sale. What I do is select the items I want to put on my site. For example they have some nice Cobalt Glassware that I can't get so I advertise those. You can select very specific items to put on your site. Some things they just don't have available so I will list a few of the reference books they have available.
Between the 2 programs I average $150-$200 a month which pays for my crazy adwords and my business expenses (web hosting, internet ect)
Mike
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Ok, I'm reading over the program now.
Looks like something good if one is 'on vacation' - some income can still be generated. Thank you for your very detailed explaination of the program.
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If you have more questions just let me know. Google has a tool you can download which will show the ads that will be displayed on your page. Called Google adsense tool.
https://www.google.com/adsense/previewtool
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Kathleen what did you think of Adsense? I thought about it for a long time but was afraid it was some big complicated ordeal but boy was I wrong. I found it very simple to do and monitor.
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I tried Adwords for a while, got some sales but eventually it was to expensive.
I now use Adsense, makes some $ not a lot, but my sites have very low traffic.
I also set up an ebay affilate program on my site. Again, some $, but not a lot. If people go to ebay from my site then bid on something I get 10 cents (and no, my site is not one of "those" affilaite site.
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Mike-
I signed up for Adsense, but haven't had time to really 'work it in' yet.
Should have it up and running by .... well, at the rate things are going, New Years? The Amazon program seems pretty good, too. But like all things, everything in moderation.
Mike, have you looked into Commission Junction as a source?
I've been with them for a while, and they're pretty good.
For my sites, I've found that paid advertising (PPC) just isn't worth the $$$.
I'm so glad to hear that someone is doing well with the ads, though!
Good for you!