Ever since Google changed its Terms of Service to allow publishers to place other ad programs on AdSense pages -- provided those other ads don't look like Google's ad units -- publishers have been wondering how to make the most of this bonanza.
It's like telling a child he can put as many different types of cake on his plate as he wants.
On my blog for example, I'm using Kontera's text links to supplement my AdSense earnings. I love the way that their ads are both unobtrusive and complement my Adsense units.
But there's no reason why you couldn't go the whole nine yards and create a range of different ads that let you generate income through each of the different online earning systems.
So you could use AdSense to make sure that you were earning on a Cost-per-Click (CPC) basis. You could apply to one of the Cost-per-Mille (CPM) networks that will place banners on your site and pay you a small amount every time your web pages are viewed. And you could also sign up for an affiliate program such as Amazon's or Clickbank's to get commissions every time your users take a particular action, usually making a purchase.
Obviously, the more you combine different types of earning systems, the greater the chance that a user will do one of the things that bring you money. But you might also find that the different ads compete against each other. A user will either click an AdSense ad or surf to an affiliate site. He won't do both.
One solution then is to bring traffic in cleverly. Once you've placed an affiliate ad, focus one branch of your traffic generation efforts on people who would be interested in buying that product. Focus another branch on people with a close interest in the sort of content that's generating your AdSense ads.
And keep a close eye too on the amount you're receiving per click to make sure that the affiliate traffic doesn't affect your Smart Price. (The extra traffic will only boost your income from your CPM ads.)
Combining earning systems can be a very effective way to maximize the revenue from your website... but you have to do it with care.
What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below!
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
March 21, 2007 08:18 AM
Its a very valuable idea.And i believe it is one of the way to make a person visit on the page to click on the any of the adds of any advertiser. The most important factor is that all advertiser have different way of projecting their adds on the web pages, that makes a page a unique one.
I need you help,that is how can i increase traffic on my site, if possible...
Keep it Joel!!! you are really an Adsense Guru and I mean it...
March 21, 2007 08:25 AM
Yes, multiple streams of income is the only way to go. Joel, you mentioned CPM networks to monetize one's site with. What are some good CPM companies? I googled it but couldn't find anything.
March 21, 2007 09:23 AM
A very informative and helpful blog, Joel. I think this is one of your best, though I do enjoy reading your more personal ones as well, such as the one about the Grand Canyon.
March 21, 2007 10:35 AM
Can the Kontera ads be changed so when a user clicks on the text link, a new window opens up? Otherwise the user will leave the site.
March 23, 2007 09:58 AM
IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING VISITING YOUR BLOGG.I AM DELIGHTED ANDINTERESTED IN YOUR ENTHUSIASIM IN THE DEVELOPMENT, AND I AM SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN FLOATING ABLOGG /WEBSITE TO HARNESS THE GREAT POTENTIALS IN NIGERIA,ESPECIALLY THE SOCIO-POLITICAL SCENE,NOT TOMENTION THE VIRGIN OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO FOREIGN INVESTORS VIS AVIS THE GREAT ADVANTAGES WE CAN TAP INTO IN NIGERIA. I STUDIED ART EDUCATION IN WISCONSIN STOUT,AND I HAVE TRAVELLED TO AMERICA TWICE WITH MY WIFE.
I HAVE CURRENTLY RETIRED FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, AND I AM INTERESTED IN WORKING ON PATNERSHIP WITH YOU TO DEVELOPING INTERNET ADVERTISING AND MARKETING IN NIGERIA.IWILL BE INTERESTED IN VISITING AMERICA TO SEE YOU ON THESE ISSUES PERSONALLY IF YOU GRANT ME AN INVITATION
March 23, 2007 10:00 AM
IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING VISITING YOUR BLOGG.I AM DELIGHTED ANDINTERESTED IN YOUR ENTHUSIASIM IN THE DEVELOPMENT, AND I AM SERIOUSLY INTERESTED IN FLOATING ABLOGG /WEBSITE TO HARNESS THE GREAT POTENTIALS IN NIGERIA,ESPECIALLY THE SOCIO-POLITICAL SCENE,NOT TOMENTION THE VIRGIN OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO FOREIGN INVESTORS VIS AVIS THE GREAT ADVANTAGES WE CAN TAP INTO IN NIGERIA. I STUDIED ART EDUCATION IN WISCONSIN STOUT,AND I HAVE TRAVELLED TO AMERICA TWICE WITH MY WIFE.
I HAVE CURRENTLY RETIRED FROM THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, AND I AM INTERESTED IN WORKING ON PATNERSHIP WITH YOU TO DEVELOPING INTERNET ADVERTISING AND MARKETING IN NIGERIA.IWILL BE INTERESTED IN VISITING AMERICA TO SEE YOU ON THESE ISSUES PERSONALLY IF YOU GRANT ME AN INVITATION
March 24, 2007 09:28 AM
Wow Mike, you really are an annoying person. STOP SHOUTING AND STOP POSTING THE SAME THING TWICE!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 25, 2007 09:47 PM
Hi Mike
You might be a perfectly nice person, but it's rude to post in all caps. It's just not good Netiquette. :)
Shana
March 27, 2007 10:01 AM
I see Nigeria has weighed
in. Seems as if a lot of
people worked at that bank.
I kept getting e-mails wanting to offer me millions of dollars for
letting people into the US
of A. of course they are
scams.
Still learning.
from Victoria
February 24, 2008 08:45 PM
Hello, I would like to know what can you do about Smart pricing. I have a website which is too general and My revenues from adsense has been affected negativly. My eCPM is like $.04; I used to earn from $15 to $20 per day with another site and now with both sites I make like $5 or $6. I think after I introduced Adsense to that site it droped dramatically. My CTR is good, or at least regular (%1 to %1.5). I don't suffer from lack of clics but for the eCPM! So, what can I do? Is it really necessary to quit adsense from the general site and join other program? I'd like to hear it from the Adsense Guru Joel Comm!
April 27, 2008 11:10 AM
For me, Kontera doesn't work well because very often the ads are irrelevant and they tend to distract rather than help out. Also, the revenue from Kontera isn't working out well for me as well.
June 28, 2008 02:56 AM
Hi reall nice post. I think to make multiple income stream is when yout pay per click is low. The lower pay per click you have the site more site you needed.