I have a file hosting site that receives over 1 million downloads and 280k+ unique pageviews a day. I make a decent amount off adsense, but at the end of the month, I put all my money into our servers. My site contains mostly music downloads, a lot of hip-hop and R&B. Any tips on monetizing my site?
Very simple suggestion that could easily be implemented, add a content unlocker where the user has to fill out a survey or submit (cpa) before they can download the chosen file.
That's an obvious idea, but that will drive away almost all my traffic. Uploaders will leave, downloaders will leave.
Well, how about making them wait. Either they fill out one survey per week or they can just sit around wait, say 5 minutes for each donwload to start.
Not sure if anyone here can help you out. You need to optimize your site to increase your earnings. (definitely hosting isn't cheap) At some point file hosting/video hosting websites won't bring any profit margin - that's the way it works, probably if you double the traffic you'll start seeing some results. Why didn't you post a link? ;-)
Do some distro to some other businesses and sell ad space. Maybe monthly slots? Sounds like you've already identified at least some of your traffic, so target hip hop companies.
Check out buysellads. You can sell advertising space and get paid via paypal. List ad space here at DP. There are a thousand ways to monetize your site.
Since your website is within music niche. Maybe you can try to put Amazon Widget that selling Mp3 player...
you probably have tried pop up/under ads such as from clicksor.. you could try cpa lead then..surveys are still profitable.