Wahm Forum - Your "Work-at-Home Moms" Support Group

wahmannounce

I love getting Google checks. (And I do not own the google ads on this forum, by the way. :wink: )

It's really easy to sign up. Google leads you step-by-step on creating your code to paste on your site. (You will be able to manuever the size and color schemes, etc. to make it a part of your site.) Google Adsense also automatically picks up keywords on your page that you place the code, so the ads are very targeted...which encourages more clicks.

Is Google Adsense for everyone? Not really. It depends on what your business is about. Some say, they love it. Some say, when they took Google ads off their sites their sales increased.

So, here's the factor. If you're using a lead page or mini site to promote a signup for your ezine or email list, you probably do not want any ads distracting your visitors to lure them "away" from your site.

If you're selling products, sometimes this isn't good either. Google allows you to "filter" out your competitors, but you still have the potential of new competitors showing up on your site through Google ads or the potential of distracting your visitor from making a purchase.

Google ads are great for informational sites. Informational sites often rely on providing great content in order to get great search engine ranking, and then profit on the google ads. However, any site that offers information can optimize on this. If you have several articles (or informational pages) on your site, this is a great place to profit.

Whatever your article is about, take time to do a keyword research to find the most popular keywords on your article subject. Then, write a real short paragraph above introducing your article using popular keywords on that subject, then place your google ad next, and then your article. (Of course, if you're really intent on your reader reading your article, you can place the Google Ads below the article.)

By choosing high pouplar keywords and writing your introductory paragraph, you do not have to change or mess with any of the written article, and google adsense picks up on these higher paid keywords, which in turn increased your profit-per-click. The search engines pick up on keywords higher in your page.

The only other downside that I can see on Google ads is that you have earn $100 in your account before they send you a check -- and they do not send your check until the following month after your account reaches this amount, but this really is no hindrance. Your profits will build up one way or another, and the check is nice to receive.

Also, they have a very stict rule not to click on your own ads or have friends do so. They have high technology for detecting fraud and will quickly ban anyone they feel who has gone against their policy.

If you do a google search on this subject, you should find even more valuable information on this subject. There are webmasters out their who make this their full-time living -- and earn big profits. Of course, they are also the ones who have created 1,000 informational sites...and have invested alot to make alot. :)

Does anyone here use Google Adsense? What has been your experience on this matter?

my52cents · Sun Sep 10, 2006 2:01 pm

Rhonda,

I think you summarized the pros and cons of google ads very well. They certainly are more appropriate on informational sites than product sites, and anyone who uses them must be aware that the customer is going to leave their page and follow on with the google ad, so placement is important, too. Obviously a lot of people make a lot of money with google ads or they wouldn't be so popular!

I can't think of a thing to add to what you said. Thanks for a great write-up. Very well done!

wahmannounce · Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:23 pm

Thanks, Susan.

Yes, when you're selling products, it can be a big distraction. I have been on sites myself with great products and then start looking over to see the google ads. So, the basic things is to "test" it out. Try a couple of months with and a couple without and see if there's a big difference. Some people do it because it helps pay for the hosting and brings in a little extra cash that they might otherwise not have gotten from their visitors...however, as you have said, "placement" is going to be the key here in making or breaking your business.