What holds back the Firefox conversions?

clicks, but no conversions

[Tearabite]

as i've posted before, i really push FF referals on my site - they pay well and my readers DO have a legit need for it..

the problem is, i get a lot of clicks, but not everybody converts.. according to G, to convert they have to install FF from my referal, then RUN it.

Of course, i dont know where i'm losing the conversion - do they back out at the download page, or never install it, or install it, but never run it?

Does anyone have any insight on improving FF conversions and/or suggestions?

[Hobbs]

It depends on your type of visitors, and if they are savvy enough to install stuff, and if they trust you enough to click and download, not all of them think of it as a Google download, some also install FF but not the toolbar so no coversion there..

[Hobbs]

Does anyone remember AdSense Advisor saying that it is ok to put a recommendation to download and install FireFox below or above the banner?

[Hobbs]

It was a thread about FF but I can't seem to find it, can anyone give us an URL?

[Tearabite]

I asked this exact question a few days ago, but nobody ever really answered.. (here [webmasterworld.com...]

Where IS ASA? I would love to know the answer to this..

[Hobbs]

Thanks martinibuster for finding the thread.

Here is what ASA said on the issue here:
[webmasterworld.com...]

To clarify, you cannot use language like, "click here" or "click on this button to download Firefox", or display a giant arrow drawing undue attention to your referral button.

However, in the content of your site you could provide an endorsement for the product you are choosing to refer. For example, you might say, "I recommend the Firefox browser." or "If you have a site with lots of high quality text-based content, I recommend trying AdSense.

[Hobbs]

What do you think?
Does ASA's reply cover putting a one liner near the banner?

[laurmi]

I personally feel that adsense publishers should not encourage use of FF. There is a FF extension by name "adblock" if installed even google ads will not appear.

Personally speaking FF is an excellent browser. But from adsense point of view it is self immolition?

Do you promote FF?

[Hobbs]

Yes I do, and there are numerous plugins for IE to do the same, try Norton for example, it's a much better browser, better controls, better security, 5 megs to download compared to hundreds of megs for IE and its daily security hole patches.. And I get paid for it too!

So does any one think a line saying:
"This site recommends FireFox for a faster browsing experience"
below or above the banner is a breach of TOS?

[Tearabite]

I should not say that i get NO conversions.. i get a lot.. but i get a LOT more clicks.. i'm just looking for ways to improve the conversion rate..

currently i put my FF referal in a 250x250 table with a different BG color than the rest of the page. i put text above and below the referal button - so it looks like an 'ad'. The text explains why Firefox is so great, but nowhere does it say 'click here' or "download now" .. (i hope this is not pushing against the TOS? )..
I wrap this in some PHP so that if a user already has Firefox, they see a regular Adsense unit - if they have anything else, they see the firefox referral 'ad'..

For the last several weeks i've been making more from FF referals than adsense clicks.. but because i have a new (low-traffic) site, overall earnings are still low..

[Hobbs]

I contacted Google for an answer to my question and they responded.
Tearabite I will PM you their reply, probably this will help you convert better.

[miguelito]

none of you have mentioned that if you have installed firefox on your PC before, the click is not converted, the program checks to see if a previous firefox installation has been used on your PC.
Some clickers may simply be clicking to update the browser version they already have, in which case, no conversion, even if they install the google toolbar etc.