Google AdSense (aff) is a most popular way to monetize websites. It is the most popular because it is the most efficient. As a website publisher now and then I try to place myself on the other side of the barricades – to become a visitor of my websites. I try to imagine how he browses my websites, what he likes and dislikes, what he misses, why he leaves so fast, etc. One more thing I occasionally contemplate on is why they click AdSense ads posted on my websites.

There was a discussion of this very issue on webmasterworld.com recently and I share some points and ideas expressed. I just list those points that I share.

So, people click on AdSense ads because:

- the ads are relevant to their search. It works in my case as well. If I search for some information I click on AdSense ads though I know what it is;

- well blended ads. I still come across the websites that are great at blending their adsense ads seamlessly into the website design and content;

- the visitor is not familiar with AdSense ads as he is a quite inexperienced Internet user;

- the visitor wants to leave the website asap. It is a case for many spammy websites that use PPC arbitrage technique;

- the visitor is a webmaster himself or knows about making money with AdSense. He clicks on an adv to support the website owner. Webmasters who actively use AdWords are likely to be indignant with this pint.

Summary: There are more reasons why people click on these ads, no doubt. But I share the ones you see above. And I am sure it is a mixture of different reasons why people click on these ads.

[tags]google adsense, adsense, seo, internet marketing, affiliate marketing, make money online, home based job, earn your living online[/tags]

A year back I started an auto website based on my research of high paying keywords lists. Inexperienced I was amazed at the prices people paid for Google AdWords for lemon car terms.

So, the website was up and running shortly, but a few months later as I had got more experienced with affiliate marketing I realized that it would be next to impossible to get high search engine rankings for these terms and website. And it was evident that I got very few visitors with no prospect to grow. I needed to reconsider the concept.

I gave up my idea to keep focus on lemon car cases only, added a blog and started to publish posts on new models, spy photos and similar auto information. As a result I witnessed an increase in traffic and better visibility in SERP’s.

Another thing that I noticed made me think abut using the similar approach with my other websites:

Blog posts that come with a few lines of text and a number of images. I think that those few text lines are not enough for Google to exactly define the page topic and it delivers the ads relevant to the website in general – ads on lemon cars.

Result? Now and then I get 1.00-2.00$ clicks. So, my initial plan to make a website on lemon cars and get expensive clicks works (though unintentionally).

Summary: The conclusion is that it makes sense to follow this path with other terms from those high paying keywords lists. Select a topic and build a website (10-20 pages) around those high paying keywords. Then add a blog and keep it running with another less competitive angle to be able to generate traffic and promote the website. Post posts with images and charts for Google to serve the ads on the basis of the general website topic.

Is it a black hat method? Probably, but not from my point of view.

[tags]high paying keywords, adsense, seo, internet marketing, affiliate marketing, make money online, home based job, earn your living online[/tags]

There are many articles published online with describing easy ways to become rich online. There are many information products (just check ClickBank and Amazon) on this topic.

Is it so easy? And is it true? Let’s see what opportunities a person has to make living online.

To begin with, I would like to refer you to some of my recent posts. Online business models is a good coverage of possible ways to earn online. Website types post is a detailed list for website publishers to make some cash online. In fact, my blog is nearly 100% dedicated to earning online with website publishing – you generate income with selling adv and products of affiliated partners.

Are there more ways to make some money online for an individual in addition to publishing websites? You can sell some products (information, software or tangible incl. drop shipping – e-commerce). But this type of activity still falls under making money with a website. E-commerce is not an easy way – you can hardly compete with big companies who sell much stuff online, you still can find a niche selling through eBay and website, but as my experience proves you can hardly make any good money with this. Probably, I am wrong.

What else? Read e-mails, take surveys, complete offers – all these sound like a waste of time to me. I do not doubt that you can earn something, but I also do not doubt that the efforts and time you invest would exceed your income many times.

Website development, design, and programming – that works if you have the required skills. But the arena is crowded with freelancers that drive prices down. Free templates, free CMS (content management systems) also cut the amount of this type of online work.

Blogging and content writing for others – possible. But not many opportunities.

SEO and internet marketing as a service – I will recommend not going this way. Just check with 1-2 projects if you can deliver results. It is next to impossible to manipulate search engines now (especially Google). And your potential customers would press you to deliver the promised results. You will be out of business in no time.

Data entry, transcription – there are open vacancies online (just check some popular freelance websites), but the number is limited.

Summary: Well, it looks like there are no many options for a person to make living online (I might miss a few, but most are mentioned). At least evident ways to make enough for living.

And do you feel like making some cash on the Internet yet? What can be done in this situation? Online income should be a supplemental source of money for you. Another option is to diversify your online activity – e-commerce, affiliate marketing, web site designing and developing, etc. Or you can partner with someone online. Your joint venture might be a good way to increase your chances to succeed.

One thing that will definitely help you with your online ventures – some great ideas. How can you make sure your ides are great? Test them.

[tags]make money, make money online, data entry, blogging, development, seo, internet marketing, affiliate marketing, make money online, home based job, earn your living online[/tags]