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- The Offer -
The affiliate/advertiser's site is not a fly by night operation and has been around for some time.
- A little about my site -
My site has a good amount of traffic. I only use adsense and have never participated in anything else other than adsense or ypn type programs (no selling of links, link exchanges, etc). Any outgoing links are those I found would help my visitors and I'm selective on those links.
- Ramifications -
What are the ramifications of accepting such an offer? Am I being taken for a ride? Here is what I imagine could happen:
What would you do? What are your thoughts? What am I missing or am I being overly protective?
Place a graphic on the main page of my site that points to a landing page (also on my site) that then links to affiliate site.A link in my navigation that points to a landing page (also on my site) that then links to the affiliate site.
A text link ad on a large number of pages that goes directly to the affiliate site.
That is a lot of "leakage" for an existing well established site. It is sure to raise a flag somewhere. If not, someone will make sure it does.
I'd be a bit more strict in how much "leakage" I would allow in a situation like this. I'd be looking at the first option only...
Place a graphic on the main page of my site that points to a landing page (also on my site) that then links to affiliate site.
And a possible price renegotiation. ;)
A link in my navigation
This is an ad, it has no place in your navigation.
This is the kind of offer I wouldn't even respond to.
For what it's worth, I've communicated back and forth with this person, verified the company and talked in person over the phone. It is a legitimate company, but I'm not sure what the real motive is… I feel like I'm missing something.
but I'm not sure what the real motive is… I feel like I'm missing something.
Based on the above requested arrangements, the end result is that it will "leak" a good portion of your PR to their affiliate site. They want to leech off of every single page and I believe they've covered all their bases with the above requests. Personally? I'd steer clear of that one, no matter how "legit" the company may appear. Man, it sure sounds like a proposal I received a few months back too...
After going through the "over the moon" period I realised its just another mlm scam.
Me too. And yup, my research tells me this is a MLM scam.
Good idea on the nofollow, will do should I move forward.
I love the idea of dealing directly with the advertiser rather than depending on Google, but if this change is going to impact my rankings and my traffic dies, then advertisers won't have any interest in the site.
Sounds like what everyone is saying is to forget it and keep doing what works?
Doesn't sound too bad to me if the product is legit.
I put the links on my site with a "nofollow" and I've been enjoying the extra income.
It is possible that this advertiser has run site-targeted ads on your site through Adwords, and knows that he gets great conversion rates. If it's about conversions, I would definitely give it a try (with a "nofollow").
If the advertiser is just looking to by links that pass PageRank, I would not do it, since that could get you in trouble with Google. The advertiser will probably be open with you about his motives, especially if you mention adding "nofollow" to the links :)
What is that being worth of $5K/month for those guys? It takes a lot of valid traffic to make $5K in commissions.
In theory, they could be one of those that have their ads on your site through AdSense. …but just in theory, and BTW, if they are having them, you should know that already.
Have you thought about possibility that your visitors would be capable of spending that much money through their site, so it is OK for them to pay you $5K/mo?
Does your site earn much more than $5k/month? If one makes a claim they’ve figured your site converts well for them, they must be spending at least 10K on AdSense already (your site only). You get a portion of it through your AdSense.
Finally, the seller writes the contract, not the buyer, right? For example, if you were to sell links, you would put the rules out.
2. If they are running adsense, and want to by-pass Google, your TOS with google requires you to contact google about it. (New version of do no evil.)
Just don't let them string you along. No ifs, ands or buts: If the check doesn't arrive, the links come down. This is a variation on an old stock market adage - don't let a profit turn into a loss.
If they are running adsense, and want to by-pass Google, your TOS with google requires you to contact google about it.
Got a number of these emails...deleted immediately. Smells like a scam from the get go.
Nothing wrong with selling links/ad space as the one who says don't sell links, sells links.
The home page title for this thread says:
Affiliate Links For Top Dollar - Are We Blinded By $$$
Funny, but the offer is not all that different than having adsense link units with a splash of adsense images on your site.
Does that mean if Google doesn't get a cut, it's a dangerous (risking G penalty) scam (blinded by $$$) as some have suggested, but if Google does, then it's ok?
I don't think his offer sounds too bad, just make sure you get the money up front and I think it would be fine.
RJ
$5,000 monthly fee in advance.
Usually, any offer that sounds to good to be true - isn't true and is a scam.
Blue chip companies that advertise directly with quality websites can and do pay significant amounts for static ads on Index and other pages with great visibility.
Do your due diligence and make sure you understand exactly what you are getting into. This includes the topic and quality of the ads. Moreover, ensure that you have an “out cause” in your best interest on the agreement or contract. Don't be afraid to ask for contract modifications and don't do the deal without a signed agreement, purchase order, or contract of some flavor.
Business is business…
[edited by: Edge at 1:11 pm (utc) on Mar. 12, 2008]
Their check ends bouncing and you're out of the "extra" funds you wired back.
It's hard to say without knowing your market, your site, etc.
You definitely want to get the cash in hand which you already mentioned you would be. I'd also want some wait period if it's a check to make sure it actually clears and possibly do some initial verification on the check.
Lastly, as another poster pointed out, I'd definitely nofollow the links, but I'd go a step further. Any links that are leaving your site, I'd also run through a redirect that I disallowed in the robots.txt file. I'd also consider doing the same thing to the landing page links, but definitely any links leaving your site.
It all depends on the variables
Also, this is NOT an outrageous amount to spend on a link. As an affiliate marketer, I pay a lot of people a lot of money every month to advertise my sites. It's just a numbers game. My guess is that they are/were an adsense advertiser and decided they can cut out the middle man (Google) and deal directly with you, allowing both of you to make more money. I have one such site I advertise PPV on through adsense that I would GLADLY pay 5k a month for a static ad.
2. >>>I cannot imagine that I would ever put $5K/mo into links from one site only, no matter what that would be about
Then you are not in a highly competitive industry, because I can tell you that for seo value, many industries would pay this for a link from certain sites. Hell, even not for SEO value, there is a top celebrity gossip blogger who gets that a WEEK for a redirect ad on his site. All depends on your purpose, intent and the site in question.
>>>3. Unless the offer is from someone running adsense on your site, there is no way they can offer and pay you 5k a month
@michaelwebster you're so wrong... I have affiliate programs paying me five figures a month for commissions being generated from one site... and they're not the only affiliate we work with or website we own in that position...
Also agree with @incredibill's advice *IF* this is a site you care about Google rankings for.
Additionally, if the company is willing to pay you 5K a month to promote them, it's because they're making more than that. So, you may want to look into the affiliate space for this product/service and give that a try as well.
My two cents...
