Forum Moderators: open
1. Google Ad Words - obviously important, but no MSN
2. Fast/All the Web - not sure, but yes MSN
3. Lycos In Site Select - not sure but yes MSN (same as FAST? confused...)
4. Overture - obviously important
5. Inktomi - not sure, but yes MSN and others
6. Looksmart Listings - not sure but yes MSN and others
7. Ask Jeeves - not really in the running, but can't leave him out
8. Altavista - haven't heard good things, usually free works?
Ok, now I know some of these are PPC and some are PFI, and some provide results for same places, and I don't really care either way. I have read SEW, and others, and just feel that I need actual experienced people to help, not just an article. I have an extra $50 and need to get *decent* amount of traffic going while I play the waiting game with the realllly big ones. Any suggestions guys?
Sincerely,
Confused and in Limbo..(aka kstprod) :)
One of the biggest disadvantages of search engines/directories (the big ones and particularily with PPC) is that geographic "local" click-throughs are difficult to predict.
Unless you can distribute internationally (physical products that is) a good chunk of your money (PPC) can go to "untargeted clicks" simply because shipping can be very expensive to send everywhere/anywhere.
If you have already considered this... extremely targeted Google Adwords maybe the best choice (short of another member indicating another engine/directory can better target your specific niche).
The biggest problem for most new sites is deciding how much you can afford to invest in getting each new visitor and still make a profit. As PFI will spread your traffic over a year, it is hard to measure how much a visitor costs. PPC (especialliy Overture who seems to ber tracking well) gives you instant data (well, within 24 hours) of how much each visitor is actuually costing.
Once you have some "converted" traffic, you can say right, I made "X" dollars yesterday from Overture visitors and there were "Y" visitors. This means that I can afford to spen "Z" on each visitor.
If the bidding on Overture is too steep for your math, then you either need to improve your conversion rate or watch the other bidder as they go bankrupt.
Dixon.
Thank you for responding. I do work with international folks as well. I don't ship anything, I merely provide a service, so the geographics part in the decision doesn't apply to me, I don't think.
I too, had considered AdWords as my best possibility, but with only $50, and my 3 word keyword phrase (which is very targeted), at last check had a minimum bid of $0.81 cents per click, would mean that I would not get very far in terms of time. Which blows my mind because on Overture, the #1 spot can be achieved with approx. $0.18. What also concerned me is, what would prevent a competitor from using up all of the few clicks I would have?
I seem to prefer PFI, as opposed to PPC, but would scratch that preference if it meant getting more valuable traffic. So, basically I'm back at zero with no idea what to do.
.....Oh my god I am so indecicive..... :(
Thanks again for your input and time!
Karen
Thank you also, for your input. That does make alot of sense, however, considering my previous post, do you agree that your advice would still apply? Speaking in terms of the high bid amounts?
Karen
In addition, you need to get over that pessimistic point of view! :)
It's all about risk management "yes" but thinking you only have $50 means you don't intend on having any sales even before you start.
In the military there is a saying: "If a man believes he is going to die tomorrow... he will usually find a way to do it".
Sound advice... in any profession! :)
It may be a very limited budget but $50 can turn into $100, and then $200, and so on, in a very short time if some percentage of sales is turned back into advertising.
<on Overture, the #1 spot can be achieved with approx. $0.18>
Well - for my money .18 is MUCH better value than .81 from Google. Since you only pay per visitor, then I would say Overture makes sense - for now.
I would say that in the long run PFI is generally a better bet than PPC but in the early days, it is all about knowing how to make a profit, and knowing how to make a profit is all about measuring. PPC measures like nothing on earth, If you can't make it pay at 18 cents per visitor, then you won't make it pay at 81 cents per visitor. What's more, if you can't make it pay at 18 cents per visitor you have to ask yourself "what will it pay at, and is there a realistic way to get enough traffic to buy that dream house at such a low CPV (cost per visitor).
Dixon.
But to be honest, $50 is not that big a budget to start from scratch so you want to spend as little as possible and focus only on the most targetted and cheap visitors first. I try to get at LEAST 10,000 visitors before trying anything knew to determine trends because you need a decent sample space to factor out other anomolies.
Also, if it's a service you're offering, consider getting 1) an 800#, and 2) PPC management software. You can configure the software in such a way that it will bid down for you after hours you specify, so that most of your visitors will only come to your site (and call) during times you're open.
Good luck.
I think I better hold off on deciding quite yet. (Which, if I know myself, then I will probly be impatient and decide anyway in a few days...lol) Anyway, I really appreciate the feedback from you guys! Thanks for the attitude adjustment fathom! ;)
Karen
What is the #3 spot?
What is your gross profit?
on Overture, the #1 spot can be achieved with approx. $0.18. What also concerned me is, what would prevent a competitor from using up all of the few clicks I would have?
Not bidding for the top spot is the best way to avoid this.
You'll attract much fewer clicks from competitors if you go with the #3 spot while still achieving page one results on most Overture partner sites.
Many people have observed a much greater ROI on the lower positions for a number of reasons...
- Less illegitimate clicks
- Lower cost per click
- Serious buyers tend to click more than just the top result
Only your own testing will tell the tale for your specific keywords and site.
