Day 4.1: What I've Learned about Monetization

If you've been following this blog for several days, you have probably noticed how I keep changing the ad/monetization format. When I started, I thought it was simple: I'd go with Google Adsense. But I also decided that I should take a look at the alternatives, especially since the process of becoming monetized through Adsense can take a while. After scourging the Internet, I found a site called BidVertiser. The premise of BidVertiser is intended to be a win-win. Other companies bid to put their ad on your site. You get the money both from the bidding and from clicks. It's a free and easy service, so I decided to go for it.

Two things I've learned about monetization is this:

1. If visitors are annoyed, they won't click your ads.
2. If I'm annoyed at my own site, it won't stand a chance against visitors.

Off the bat I was suddenly bombarded with pop-ups and flashing ads and everything that I hate: most of all, ads for the very scams that I've already warned against. I was not happy, and of course, didn't make a cent. These ads were in direct opposition to what I'm saying, and there's no way that it could work.

Today, I'm trying a new approach: only advertising for things I personally use and recommend. Amazon's been there from the start, a fabulous way to buy anything online at a good price. I've had those widgets there this whole time and am going to keep them because it really is that awesome and I want you to see what I recommend.

The other ads? Clixsense is a site that I joined recently, the best PTC site that I've found so far. I haven't  made much from it, but in addition to viewing ads you can play games and enjoy yourself. Even if you didn't make money it would be a fun site, so I decided to support it. I also left one more of the Bidvertiser ads running, just in case. But one thing I do not want to do is to force things on visitors that I myself won't support. I want to help you avoid scams, not lead you to them.

That being said, if I support something that turns out to be a scam, I'll be getting scammed first. I am sorry if the old ads annoyed you as much as they annoyed me, and hopefully you're still willing to give me a chance!