If you’re a regular internet user, you
have undoubtedly used Google recently. And why wouldn’t you? It’s a great
service.
It’ll find what you’re looking for faster and more
accurately than anyone else.Of course, Google is a publicly traded company that needs to make a profit
and in the process of commercializing their technology, the company has
created one of the most consistent revenue streams for webmasters today, AdSense.
AdSense is a pay per click program in which ads are targeted to search
results and website content with advertisers paying for each click received.
In contrast to other types of affiliate programs, AdSense can be more
profitable to publishers because it requires no spending on the customer’s
part. Advertisers are paying for the interested traffic.
Part of the reason the program is so successful is that the ads
are unobtrusive text that can actually be useful to visitors. By matching
the ads to the content, the message is relevant, and therefore advertisers
can convert more clicks into sales.
Once you have a site running, and if the content does not go against
Google’s terms (gambling and adult sites are not allowed, for example), you
can join the program. After applying, your site will be reviewed to make
sure it does not contain objectionable material. This should only take a few
days, then you’re in. There are no other requirements, such as the traffic
levels that other advertising networks require. You will now have access to
the code to add to your website.
However, there is more to profiting from your content than just joining
the program and pasting ads randomly on the page. For one, the content of
your page must be useful to readers (to keep them coming back) and at the
same time valuable to advertisers. Website hosting, for example, is a
consistently profitable phrase. Of course, that field has become crowded
now. The key remains to find an untapped niche.
Also, sites are limited to three units on a page so as to not overwhelm
readers. Positioning is crucial. Studies show that the most viewed area of a
page is toward the top and left (think of where you normally start reading).
Placing ads right after the content or embedding them in the articles are
also effective techniques. Google has examples of placement to guide you
once you join AdSense.
Last, but just as important, is the appearance of the AdSense units. The
program allows their colors to be customized to match the look of your site.
Use this ability to make the ads look like the rest of the links on your
site and be sure to match the background color as well. Visitors will
respond better as they see will give the text a chance instead of
unconsciously rejecting them as advertisements.
There is a lot more to explore and experiment with, but by now you should
have a general idea of how AdSense works. Good luck!