CPM how much to charge?

automotive site

[intellivision]

Automotive site, ~250k monthly pageviews, 125x125 and 60x468 image ads.

I have no idea... I've poked around with my AdWords account and found I can buy CPMs of around $.50 US ... but that's text links not images. Any thoughts appreciated, even if they're wild guesses.

Is $.50 too low?

I've searched the archives, most topics are < 2006.

[eljefe3]

YOu could always inquire with a few other auto sites that have an "advertise with us" link.

[Admaster]

$0.50 is too low. Although it does depend on the products or services
on your site. If it is B2B you can charge more. If it is B2C then I would advise you to do what the other post said and enquire about advertising on two or three other sites. I work on over 20 B2B sites and none of them charge less than $15 per thousand! If you can create something a little different for potential advertisers then you can charge over the going rate. Companies are prepared to pay more for sites that don't just rely on network ads. You may even be able to charge a set fee for prime ads and positions, so always create these whenever possible. Always here to help.

Admaster

[peterdaly]

Do you know the EPM of an adsense ad of that size in that location?

Google is paying you less than the advertisers are paying them, so bump it up by a little bit, and you've at least got a good starting point.

The best deal will a) make you more & b) cost them less.

I've used that pricing method with success in the past.

[intellivision]

Thanks Admaster and Peter.

It's B2C. I see individual ad unit revenues from AdSense of anywhere from sub $1 to $4, for various spots on my site.

Blended to a fine, smooth texture, I saw an eCPM last month of $1.40 -- link, banners, top, sides, footers, excluding search.

(I'm trying to sell run-of-site ads privately, for a fixed amount/month).

I should get off my lazy a** and create a comparable AdSense ad and run it run-of-site to get a oranges-oranges comparo.

Peter, do you mean eCPM?

[peterdaly]

Peter, do you mean eCPM?

Sure, whatever Google calls it. :-)

[Admaster]

Intellivision - If you are looking to run fixed ads (after you have compared figures) try and run one or two freebie ads from companies you know who are big players and advertisers in the industry you are in. You can bet their competitors are watching and you might be able to get something in return from them apart from cash. I know this is not ideal, but the best rates usually come from fixed price ads and it may open a few doors for you. All the best,

Admaster

[FattyB]

I would not use Adsense as a yard stick for CPM campaigns, they are always woeful CPM wise.

Automotive, Tech, Travel and other lifestyle topics tend to attract a much higher CPM than say news or entertainment. Auto might even be one of the highest, out of those.

Also I would get a 728 not a 468, not many big companies use 468 anymore...they will expect 728 I think and likewise prefer a 300*250 to a 125...in my experience.

As someone mentioned maybe contact a similar site posing as a advertiser and see what they say. I would think $10+ at least.

I know for instance on the adnetwork we are on our CPM for tech is about min $7 net and many lifestyle campaigns are $10 net (shampoos, women's cosmetics etc). That is with network taking 50%. So 14 and 20. THough of course we fill up with remnant ad.