I dont do ads or affiliates - for a reason

but I think that it makes the site 'less' credible

[Frank_Rizzo]

I hate ads. Flashing distractions here and there. Patronising guff. Tacky dumb down stuff. This is just a personal opinion.

I also think that ads and affiliates slow the site down and can lose visitors if, say, the site the ad is in is slow to respond.

But what I'm thinking is, that by not having ads my site doesn't look credible enough. I used to think that by being ad free would make the site stand out "hey, joe, this site is easy to read - no clutter". But maybe this is having a negative effect. Punters are expecting to see a large banner at the top and a few 100x100'x on the side.

If they see a site which is not the same as other shops then it could be putting them off.

I get lots of feedback saying the site is wonderful, but this could be from those who are fanatic about the content and not the froth. What I don't know is how many casual visitors I get who could be potential customers but go because the site looks 'unprofessional'.

Does this sound right? What you recomend I do?

[jaytierney]

It sounds strange, but I do agree with you. Of course it's better to have no ads then too many, but what's nice about them is (besides any revenue), if used correctly, they fill up a page very nicely where there would otherwise be a big gap of white space.

[stlouislouis]

What about keeping the layout they are used to seeing with some self
marketing .gif or even banner in the place at the top of the page where
an external ad would go?

Whether a banner, .gif or even .jpg, it could be served from the same
server your page was, eliminating the problem with slow external
ad servers.

From a marketing point of view, could use for marketing purposes.
Try various click thru end-points -- a site map, buy now, a more
sales focused page one step away from the order form...or something
else...bookmark this page, a "special section" of the site,
testimonials...or...?

I do think this may very well have a hidden value. While it's familiar,
it's also different....and may just register in their mind, so your
site get "noted" in their brain rather than forgotten as part of the
blur of the web.

Hope the above is helpful,

Louis

[weisinator]

I don't put flashy graphic ads on my sites. The one in my profile only has a 125x125 hitbox banner, since my host (ISP) doesn't give me access to the logs.

Conversely, I do have advertising, but it's fairly non-intrusive and looks like part of the content. They're simple affiliate links. HTML text, no gigantic graphics/flash animations that remind users of the back button. I get good CTR according to Commission Junction, and the best performers are niche items.

I plan on taking this experiment further with a future project.

[JamesR]

I think the other way. If I see a large site with great content and no ideas, I think it looks more professional. I know their revenue comes from doing something right or they are just a high quality public service site.

[jdMorgan]

Frank,

I get lots of feedback saying the site is wonderful, but this could be from those who are
fanatic about the content and not the froth. What I don't know is how many casual visitors I get
who could be potential customers but go because the site looks 'unprofessional'.

Why not ask them what they like about your site? In a very carefully-worded way, of course. Maybe
multiple-choice with "No flashy distracting ads" as one of the choices. I'd check that option
myself... :)

These "fans" have already demonstrated their willingness to talk to you by sending you the feedback.
Ask them to respond to a very short e-mail survey and ask them what you'd like to know about their
reaction... Depending on your business, you might even offer a small (but nice) gift in exchange.
Now that could be a real loyalty-builder, and your exposure is minimal because you control how many
customers you ask to respond to your "survey".

I like the "fake ad" for promoting on-site pages idea a lot!

Take care,
Jim

[brotherhood of LAN]

I hear the concerns voiced here.....a bit ironic !

I think "joe average" the web surfer has came to realise that there are a million and one sites that are there purely because the webmaster thought that if they generate X amount of views, they can fill the page with ads and live happily ever after.

A page without a banner IMO is a good page....(pub conference banners excluded of course) ;) But no, I think most people are aware of the "banner hungry" webmaster in that respect.....

great topic....I think there may be a complex about ads.....stemming from how annoying they can be (pop-ups for sure are included) - but indeed I suppose its possible that a banner ad can make a page look more "professional" if not only to provide some different colours and an element of action on a page :)

[Frank_Rizzo]

Ehhh, this is a tricky one for me. You see, my site is pitched in a difficult game. There are a lot of charlatans out there and a lot of punters who get sucked in by charlatans.

My position is clear to me and my loyal customers, but I dont think it is so for new customers.

I have the 'customer referals' and stuff, and I know that a lot of sales is generated by word of mouth. But I'm having trouble getting joe public to take the plunge.

Advertising is a big problem for me - I just don't have the budget. Bank manager is on the level, but the bean counters above him don't want the risk. (new thread - raising venture capital). I don't want to risk the house so what to do eh?

Do I sell out and shove up a dozen tacky banner ads like the competition are doing? Or do I hang on in there?

[bird]

Interesting questions.

I can see that for a certain target audience, you might not want to look too clean or even "academic". I'm not sure if a site that deals with a very entertaining and exciting topic deserves to look like a school book. You don't want to bore your visitors, do you? ;)

I can imagine that adding an ad here and there might really improve the credibility of such a site. This is particularly true when the topic of the site has something to do with money. If you make it visible that you're interested in earning money too (within fair limits), then it may become easier for your audience to see you as "one of them".

[michaelday]

bird,

I would disagree with you on "school book" look. I think that it gives that particular site an academic touch in a field populated by charlatans.

[skibum]

IMHO, the site looks very professional and any advertising added to it should be highly relevant and highly targeted. A few well placed affiliate links might be worth a shot.

Nothing flashy, just a few "sponsored" text links or a tame banner here or there. If the site has a following and people realy like it, affiliate programs could prove very successful if whatever is being promoted is inline with visitors interests and stays tht was after they buy it.

[gettoefl]

Frank,

I'm coming from the same perspective as you on this one. I dislike ad cluterred pages and in your face hard-sell ads distractinfg people from the real content; and my site takes the high road on this one just like yours.

The key I think is still to make good partnerships that are not contingent on advertising but are more subtle. Affiliate programs can fall under this category. I strive to make my affiliates part of the fabric of my site such that the visitor doesn't even realise it.

Yeah it is hard resisting the lure of the greenbacks offered for my page views; but I maintain and recommend - hang in there. You have something to offer which people will realise by frequenting your pages. It may take longer to get a self-sustaining site but the benefits are worth it and it will be by dint of your hard work.

Mark