Content site information

Should I make it available for download?

[Essex_boy]

Im setting up a content site the clicks from Adsense are rather tasty so I want the vistors to turn, however the info given on the site is a warmer. I.e it helps point them in the right direction so once read your unlikly to need to come back to reread.

There I came up with teh idea of making the content downloadable in noneditable PDF files - the content would have a water mark with the sites URL right through it. Reason being that its possible this info would be passed around to other people more easily than a web site.

I do this on a site offering Elizabethan recipes and it works well although this new site is altogether diffrent in terms of informations.

Is this a good idea of bad? Or would it work only for certain types of site/information?

[shigamoto]

I have downloadable PDFs on longer articles, for example features and guides (to how you set up your own blue widget or something similar).

One problem might be that you loose people coming to your website and taking part of your ads. I've not experienced this, maybe downloadable content is good since it might lure people not acquainted with your site to it?

Maybe I'm providing more questions than answers right now, but..

[iamlost]

I recommend bundling the content into one or more e-books depending on breadth of site.

The rationale is:
* the content is presented as normal with ads (do mix in others besides AdSense) for the readers.
* those who want to 'copy' the content for free can do so...but have to work at it...page by page...on their own. As there is no practical method of stopping copying why bother?
* those who really want the content plus convenience can (and do) pay for it. Of course it must be worth the price requested.

How you want to handle 'upgrades' is something to consider when setting price(s). Note: offering 'extras' in the e-book can boost sales if the 'free' content implies the quality of the extras.