Advertising on the blog
by DannyUK
After umming and ahhing for months over this, I’ve finally decided to introduce Google ads to the blog. Why? Well quite simply because I could do with some extra money.
I don’t suspect that it’ll make me loads, but even a couple of quid is better than nothing.
It’s a bit of a turnaround for me. In the past I have always been wary about what products to plug on the blog. I’ve turned down offers of cold hard cash to write honest reviews for products that don’t interest me. So to suddenly hold hands with Google and let them post what they want is a step into the unknown.
I’m hoping that I will get to a stage where I can really narrow down the type of ads that Google puts on the blog. They have that functionality available, it’s just working out what works best.
I’ve also got to tread the fine line between getting people to click the ads, and not having too many people click them that Google think something dodgy is going on. Kip had this problem last year when I clicked on a few of his ads, and Google suspected (wrongly) that he had gotten someone to do it on purpose to get his payments up.
By playing around a little, I’ve managed to get ads showing on the blog headers and side bars, but also managed to fit them into the posts themselves, which I think may be less in the way whilst still getting clicks. I’ve also managed to change the ad colours so that they blend in with the blog itself.
These are the three in-post ads. Do you have any preference, or any suggestions?
The first in-post ad (Horizontal medium)
[wp_ad_camp_3]
The second in-post ad (Horizontal Half Banner)
[wp_ad_camp_4]
The third in-post ad (Responsive ad)
[wp_ad_camp_5]
That said, I don’t know many people these days that don’t use an Adblocker to filter out any ads. Personally, I find that AdBlock works well for me and its available for Chrome, Safari and Opera. You can get it here http://getadblock.com
In the meantime, any feedback on the ads is welcomed - Especially if there’s a preference as to which one is best (or worst) - just drop a comment below.
I don’t really have a preference!
I definitely do not like the first option. It doesn’t invite to be clicked really and this is what you want – drive your traffic to the advertisers.
I think the third option would do better.
dont really have a preferance
I agree with Monika S, the first two don’t draw the eye at all- they look more like unintended clutter. The third is the clearest option.
Brilliant, thank you.
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I use an ad blocker as I don’t like that you can open a page and see non family free ones.
I’m the same – I use an ad blocker simply because I don’t want to be bombarded! Hence why I linked to one in the post – I think everyone should have that option.
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Oops I meant family friendly 🙂 I do feel bad about blocking them sometimes because I know thats how you earn a bit of cash. Have a lovely day.
Third option if I had to choose one.
Ads are fine as long as they’re relevant and helpful to the blog, in my opinion. Especially if the blogger has put a bit of legwork in for me and I spot something I like!
I don’t have a website!
The horizontal ones, they come at the end of the post and it stops the eye sliding to them and detracting from your blog.
I like the responsive ad as it’s a reminder for the products I’m already using or considering.
Twitter: moonlightlady2
on July 7, 2014 at 3:51 pm
i think the 3rd one too as it doesn’t take the attention away from what we come to see and that’s your blog
I like the horizontal ads best
Don’t have a preference really
I don’t like the first option (Horizontal Medium) but like both the second and third options, with possibly a slight preference to the third (responsive) ad.
I don’t even notice the first two – the third is definitely more appealing if you actually want people to click on and notice the ad.
If I was using one to try to encourage people to click through I’d go for the second as it’s less intrusive and more informative than the third, but more eye catching than the first.
Don’t have a real preference (except less is better), usually skip over ad unless something catches my interest (doesn’t usually happen).
in my opinion, Ads are fine as long as they’re relevant and helpful to the blog..niche is important while placing Ads (advertisements) ..
Definitely the horizontal medium!
All of them are good!
The horizontal one, it just fits in and yet stands out better.
I prefer the 3rd option
I prefer the third. On mine the first 2 appear as text, and the third one appears as an image. This is more eye-catching and I am more likely to click on an image ad than a text one. Image ads look more legitimate and trustworthy than plain text ads in my opinion
That’s a very good point, thank you
not impressed by any of them, but the third one is most eye-catching
Don’t really have a preference but if I had to choose one I’d say the third one.
I prefer related ads in the mian body of the text, but relevant to what I’m reading
Definately the 3rd one, draws you in the most out of the options!!
Don’t like being a sheep but the horizontal one is the one I prefer.
Don’t have a preference.
Definitely not the first! Looking from my iphone & it’s a disaster!
Second is small & more subtle – probably my preference if you don’t want the whole screen taken up by the add!
The third’s ok too – I just scroll past to be honest! I’m not aware that I consciously read them at all (which is probably very nieve!)
I think the best ads are the ones that you CAN scroll past without really noticing them. If the ad fits in well with the page it’s on then it’s more likely to be clicked while still being unobtrusive.
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