Do you look at high Adsense earnings as a bad thing?

[One_on_One]

For those of you who make a lot on Adsense, do you consider this to be a bad thing for your online business? Obviously this doesn't apply to all niches, but a lot of times you can get "closer" to the money by becoming an affiliate or, best case, run your own e-commerce store. I was just curious if you earn a lot on Adsense, do you try to convert to affiliate and e-commerce models or do you just stick with what you've been successful with?

[europeforvisitors]

For those of you who make a lot on Adsense, do you consider this to be a bad thing for your online business?

For some of our forum members, AdSense is an online business.

For others (such as publishers of information sites), AdSense is the most practical way to monetize content pages that aren't likely to generate affiliate revenue.

IMHO, asking successful AdSense publishers if they've thought of converting to an affiliate or e-commerce model is like asking magazine publishers if they've considered switching from magazines to mail-order catalogs. If a business is successful, why would it want to become something else?

[One_on_One]

I don't think a switch would be that drastic when you talk about switching from advertising to affiliates. Of course e-commerce is a whole nother ballgame.

[peewhy]

I have sites specifically modelled for Adsense, they exist to generate revenue from Adsense.

Equally I have portals that I don't encorporate Adsense because they generate excellent revenue from Banners and I have no desire to change either.

[europeforvisitors]

I don't think a switch would be that drastic when you talk about switching from advertising to affiliates.

Why switch at all? AdSense ads and affiliate links can coexist nicely--and profitably.

[mojomike]

>>If a business is successful, why would it want to become something else?

from a business standpoint, I would rather risk 10% of my revenue ( we are talking AdSense ) and supplement it with something else. for example, I am a ford mustang web site, well then I would make sure that I have something that would click to eBay for ford mustangs. given It might not generate a lot, but it blends in a bit. Also I might do amazon with books and calendars, posters with a poster company. tires affiliates ......

now what have I done, I have created multiple streams of revenue and I am not dependant on 1 source only. what would happen if you got kicked off ( for whatever reason ). so diversify our income stream.

Mike

[One_on_One]

Yes, a combination is probably best. The point is that when you sell advertsing, you are leaving money on the table. With the web, it's worthwhile to investigate if you can rake in more of that money.

[ember]

Diversification is the key to survival on the web. We have several revenue streams, including AdSense. It is very tempting to put all eggs in one basket, for example AdSense, if it is doing well. But after making a living on the web for 6 years, I have learned the hard way that nothing lasts. AdSense most likely won't either, or it will evolve into something different in 5 or 10 years (or soooner). Maybe it will be as good as it is now, or maybe not. Diversify at least to the point where the loss of no one revenue stream will devastate you, and preferably to the point that each one in and of itself can the pay the bills. Then work on what works best and make it grow. That way you are covered if disaster hits. As someone once said, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.