To ads or Not to ads, that is the question.

[Xrproto]

Okay so I've read several different takes on launching a site with ads at the start and launching a site without ads from the start.

And yet here I am still trying to decide to run ads on my new site that I'm going to be launching right away or wait...

What is everyone's thoughts on this?

This is going to be a decent site and I'm buidling it with my interest in the hobby first and making money off of it second BUT I do want it to generate some cash if you know what I mean.

 

[Agloco Hype]

My impression of it is 99% of all internet sites are displaying some sort of ads, some to make money and others are just displaying them, what I like to do on this is place ads right from the start.

But I try to be smart about it, if I'm not expecting to get large amounts of traffic right off the bat I'll only place small inconspicuous ads on the site, nothing that draws too much attention to them, by doing this I don't give the impression that I'm trying to make money, I'm still giving them the feeling of value.

Then once I obtain a reader base and my site is getting that traffic I'm looking for I'll switch it up a bit by making the ads a bit bigger or I'll make them stand out a bit more, almost attracting people to them, but again I don't over do it because you never really want to give the reader the impression that your out to make serious money from them.

You always want them to think their getting some sort of value from reading your content or buying your product or service.

Its really up to you but I've personally never had a problem following this technique.

 

[Xrproto]

Yeah I think I'm going to go that route, warm 'em up. Instead of one day throwing up some ads.

 

[SonicReducer]

If it's more for a hobby and want to build a quality site I would definetely avoid putting Adsense or YPN on there. It's not worth losing visitors for a few pennies per click. Nothing says lame site like contextual ads. You could promote some offers similar to your topic that would look a little more professional.

 

[Xrproto]

I'm not putting adsense or YPN...I agree there.

I will only pick targeted offers towards my niche & only one or two at the beginning.

 

[Joey]

Well it is a site you just want to develop since you enjoy doing it, or would you really like the maximize the revenue from it?

Obviously your ad strategy will change over time, but IMO it's a pretty big mistake to develop your layout and site model without taking into account where your revenue is going to be coming from--and where your ads are going to be placed on the site.

This doesn't necessarily mean you have to place ads immediately, but just be sure that you know where you'll put them when you want to start making some cash. It sucks having to hack up a design because you didn't think of all this stuff beforehand.

 

[Xrproto]

Well it is a site you just want to develop since you enjoy doing it, or would you really like the maximize the revenue from it?

Obviously your ad strategy will change over time, but IMO it's a pretty big mistake to develop your layout and site model without taking into account where your revenue is going to be coming from--and where your ads are going to be placed on the site.

This doesn't necessarily mean you have to place ads immediately, but just be sure that you know where you'll put them when you want to start making some cash. It sucks having to hack up a design because you didn't think of all this stuff beforehand.

I have it set up so I can add them in several different spots. I took that into account because they will be paying for the sites. As long as it breaks even I will be happy but I will, once my installed base is up, work on maximizing my revenue on the site.

Just because I'm building the site out of love for the hobby doesn't mean I don't want to make some good cash off it.

 

[ReveueGateWay_J]

The advise I usually give is only use targetted banners and such, viewers either will be turned off or not click at all seeing untargetted banners/pops because they will think it's a site only looking to make $$ and not actually give viewers ads that might be worthwhile to them.