Hi I need some tips on how to build a forum that can generate only $4 per day with Google Adsense. See a test forum I have made at http://hyip.ivoirelove.com Stéphane
The only way you can make any kind of money with forums is if you build a forum that has a lot of members, i.e. traffic. Forums are notoriously low at converting, and the constant Adsense publisher lament when it comes to forums is "tons of traffic, no clicks". This is how it is for everyone, so don't be surprised when it happens to you. Point is, if you want to make any money with any kind of forum, choose one that will prove popular. Otherwise you'll never make anything worthwhile. But if you're asking for steps on how to build a popular forum, that question is better asked in the Marketing/Design forums.
optimzing the ads is critical. check out my forum on where I place the ad http://wundar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3359 here's another example http://wundar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3305 Just like how DP does it here...one unit right below the first post.
Even if it is hard to make money from forums, the guy only wants $4 a day, I make that from my un-released website xP
What sort of clickthrough rate is typical for most forums? Am I right in assuming a lot less than 1% (I don't use Adsense on any forums)?
Very, very, very low. You can fill a warehouse with all the threads started by people whose forums are not converting. Just be sure to factor this into things so you won't be surprised when the ads don't go gangbusters for you. This is also why most CPM networks don't allow you to place their ads on forums.
A click-through rate of over 4% is easily attainable on most optimized forums in my experience, but I'm sure that depends on the topic.
LOL. I read stuff like this and I feel like such a dufus. I guess I can't say what I get on my own sites, but I guess I still have lots to learn.
Well, I had first thought of starting a forum for my site http://www.travelvideosonline.com, but decided against it, as there were a lot of forums on Trvael subject. However , now I am gaining Adsense clicks becuase of the way the Ads are placed, plus unique content I deliver. Hence, you need to have some true content that swarms in visitors. I would sugeest to stay away from forums, as there are too many now. Thanks
It's not that hard to achieve. Place ads in key areas and also do keep changing the ad colors, your members won't get banner-blind and revenue will follow eventually.
I'd say you're doing well with a clickthrough rate of over 1% on forums. Try & do a few things with the ads: Keep a banner above the fold at eye level when the post loads. Integrate another banner after the first post, PHPBB does have a mod that can do this for you. Depending on the type of forum you may also wish to let members over a certain posts not see the ads. I do this on a few of my forums to great effect. It means I'm making revenue from guests visiting the forums from search engines instead of relying on my posters.
I do over 3% by showing ads only to guests. If I show ads to members, the CTR falls sharply. So I prefer to show CPM ads to members.
I've just added adsense to one of my forums, i'm only showing adsense adverts to guests and not members too. I think this is the way to go.
Yes. And don't be shy to show big ads to casual visitors. For instance, I use two 336x280 boxes before the first topic message to visitors coming from search engines.
Haha.. i will say 1% is a good rate if you show ads to all. It depends on the kind of traffic actually. As your ratio of members / guests online at any time increases your CTR drops.
I cannot measure it exactly, but overall the revenue improved, since I replaced Adsense banners that would be 'unclicked' with CPM ones. Additionally, I think the rise in CTR helped with Smart Pricing.
I have had a forum that was earning over 500$ on adsense. Just depends on the placement of the ads. Put one below or above the link that returns them to the forum index (its one of the most clicked links on the site, and if its right below or above, it gets many, many clicks a day). Just an idea for you.