Google Adsense for site revenue

What is Adsense?

Google AdSense is an easy way to generate revenue presenting ads on your site. The ads presented are relevant to the site content. I thought It would be nice to share experiences with those considering using it and Adsense participants who would like to increase revenue.

Now at first that seems easy enough. But if you want this to turn into a serious money making effort you need to know a bit more. Presenting an ad is one thing, if it's not clicked by your users it doesn't do a thing for your wallet.

AdSense, how does it work?

Google Adsense enables you to show a number of ads on your pages. There are various formats. You must've seen the image and text based ones labelled "Ads by Google". Implementing AdSense is not a big deal. You specify preferences in the Adsense backend tool, and the JavaScript is generated for you to copy/paste into your page's source code where you would like the ad to be displayed, in the selected format. If you are using a CMS (content management system) like I do, you may only need to place your unique adsense code to be integrated into your site's template or page generator.

Each time your page is viewed, the AdSense script queries Google for ads to display, based on the content displayed. The ads are selected from the Adwords program. Click here for the page if you're not familiair. AdWords is program allowing advertisers to "connect with potential customers at the magic moment they're searching for your products or services as they advertise it. The model (PPC - pay per click) is based on an amount (CPC - cost per click) for each time the Adsense ad is clicked and a user is lead to the site rela. Advertisers may want to appear in the Google search results as well.

Adsense, What's in it for me?

So each time an ad on your site is clicked, you get a slice out of the amount paid by advertisers, it's a rewarding programme. Some ads are worth more (and are therefore more costly) than others, so it all depends on your choices and perception of Google's service. There is basically no limit to what you may earn. Its a bit more complicated that "just" selecting the words that are searched, clicked and cost most, but the techniques to turn your site into a 5 figure source of income are there.

Even if you attract only a few hundred pageviews a day, you wi'll receive. In fact, light traffic sites can generate quite some revenue if their topic covers a very competitive nice market or product.

Adsense Do's:

1. Put statistics and reporting in place
2. Customize the ads
3. Position your ads where they are seen (and clicked)
4. Make your ads blend in the rest of your site
5. Try out what works for your site
6. Get traffic to your site
7. Read about SEO, keywords, adsense, etc

Adsense Dont's:

1. Do not click the ads yourself or ask anyone to click! (you may be banned)
2. Do not try to fool Google! (you may be banned)
3. Don't overdo it (too may ads scare users)
4. No ads on a blank page
5. Do not leave your site alone too long; regularly update
6. Don't just put up content, make sure you fill in the meta-tags
7. Do not give up if you don't succeed at once

Google Adsense First Steps

If you're just thinking about using Adsense and get some additional revenue, or just started placing Google ads on your site, these "First Steps" may be helpful. If you're already using Adsense and want to know how to get more out of it check out the "Next Steps".

Things to consider

1 You need good content
2 SEO - Build a findable site
3 Optimize ad placement

But, while its not basic, setting up a site still needs to get done. And you need to do it the right way. You decide on the right layout, colors, font, tone of voice, use of (multi)media etc. And you need the right tech stuff. Tools that are user friendly yet secure, have SEO (search engine optimization) capabilities, ads (like Google Adsense), banners, etc.
If you get in place first time right, you'll benefit all the way. That is, if you appreciate the revenue. I for one, appreciate the Joomla CMS. Its free, stable and easy to install. Lots of templates and extensions. You can download the latest version, install it on a laptop with sample data and start implementing your design ideas. When you're ready to go online, just create a backup you restore on the net. You can do it yourself, or you can have someone else do it. Sites like Virtual Worker (former Rent-A-Coder) or Guru are good places to pay a visit. You can invite designers and coders to place a quote. Be sure to check their history.

Content 101

But this is not the article dealing with building and optimizing content to maximize revenue. Just a friendly basic reminder: without the interest of your visitors (and Google) in mind it'll be hard to get traffic and clicks.
Visitors will leave your place within a second if they don't like it. If you've joined the Adsense program, you must know that Google places ads using their indexing mechanism with the purpose to present the best ads to the user. Don't forget Adsense is based on Adwords and businesses pay Google to make the most out of their money.

If you want to do well, write your own content, make sure it stays fresh and have users come back for more. The idea is that, every so many visitors will click an ad placed on your site. The more traffic you attract, the more clicks. With more clicks comes more revenue.
Just make sure you check out Google Adsense Terms of Service. If you don't stick to the rules you may be banned from Adsense...for life.

If you got the content basics covered, check here for more in-depth hints.

SEO - Build a findable site

Now you got all this great content for the world to read. Better make sure I stumble upon it when searching, see it linked when browsing, read about it in a newsletter, etc. Remember Google is a search engine using an index. Feed the animal with the right keywords and other meta-data, maintain a logical site structure, 

Ok, now get me to the SEO section. 

Optimize your ads

What I think the most interesting part of this business: how to present an ad in a way it is actually viewed and clicked. Just a few rules of thumb on this page, more in detailled sections.
When creating the site design, think for logical places to put your ads. Your site is scanned in seconds. If you got no idea how this works, do the research first. Check Google's Adsense site on formats and ad types.

Then there's a lot of tweaking to do you can read about here.

And just one more thing: make sure you got statistics and reports in place.