Hi everyone, this is my first post or thread - be gentle with me! Ok, I'm looking for any advice and preferably an answer to a question, but first, a bit of background! I'm starting up a niche directory and plan to have the links which are very relevant to the niche - no random links at all. It will be a free directory, and people won't be able to post their own links, they will have to conact me to have their links added (if they are successful!). I plan on making money from adsense and a few sponsors I have drummed up already Now, my question.... Will I still be able to use adsense on a directory? Will google think it's a link farm? I have well over 100 completely relevant links and they will be grouped accordingly (by location if it makes any difference?) but there will most likely be 50+ links on one page... is this a porblem? Thanks guys, really appriciate any feedback, and this is a great site, I've been reading through constantly for the past week or so but can't find the answer to my question. Cheers! Dan
Thanks for the reply pipes Well my thoughts are that if it's a niche link directory then people will be coming to the site to go somewhere else, be that the links I provide or the ads/sponsors. Reckon I'm quite lucky since the CPC I've generally found on adwords keywords tool is an average of 44 pence, I'm not sure how much that is in $ atm with all the ups and downs we're having but it must be just short of a dollar? As long as I can get good traffic then I reckon it should do well.
Be sure to follow Google TOS with regard to Adsense... https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?answer=48182
Theres been some change between UK - US currency, would currently be worth about 64cents, minus what google would deduct. Good luck with your new project.
uyma, thanks for the link, I've read that through before and just checked again - can't see anything that would prove problematic though, can you? Thanks Pipes Hopefully it will go well! Mikey1090, cheers Did you write all the articles? There aren't many to purchase in my niche but I've had plenty of experience writing them anyway! Also, is there some kind of set pricing on sponsor banner ads? For example, a header banner = $400 per year etc? Or is it purely upto the webmaster?
Maybe you can make more money by monetizing your site with ad networks other than Adsense, you can try Adsense alternatives or directory related affiliates: http://www.jimkarter.com/2008-05-16-google-adsense-alternatives.html http://www.rosswalker.co.uk/adsense_top10/ Good luck with your new dir...
I didn't write any. I bought them on DP or paid for them to be written! As for private ad sales, that all depends on your traffic and the advert location/displays/in rotation with other ads.
Thanks guys Am I able to use more than one ad program, for example using adsense and adbrite? Sorry uyma, what are the other directory related affiliates?
I agree with Pipes and Mike, Adsense is trusted and instantly recognisable, if blended in and not overdone it doesn't distract from the site's purpose. I have it on my niche directory and it certainly helps to pay the bills.
You will be able to use adsense yes. I usually dont like putting adsense on general themed directories - I think it devalues them a bit (just my opinion) but if its a niche topic you're probably more likely to get a few clicks so why not try it
Thanks guys, I hope this goes well, it should be set up in a few weeks, all we have to do first is buy the domain and setup the database to input the data - this won't just be a list of links, it will provide info about the linked site, so it may take some time ticking or crossing boxes to start with. I must say thatnkyou to everyone who's replied, all the comments are appriciated. hans2100, I've picked something that interests me and was lucky to find that there is a massive gap in the market for it.
I'll be the editor but my freind will be building the site - he's a web based sotware developer so it should be dandy! Also, we won't be relying on submissions at all, I will add links myself and do all the SEO etc. If people want their link adding then I'll do it and check them over first.