Google Adsense

[HHI Golf Guy]

If you have a popular web site you may want to consider adding Google Adsense to some or all of your pages. If you are not familiar with Adsense, they are sets of ads supplied by Google that you can display on your web site. Every time a web surfer clicks an ad, you earn money.

Now, your first thought might be, "Why would I want ads from my competitor to show up on my site?"

They don't have to. You can actually filter ads by URL. Plus, you don't have to place the ads on your "real estate" pages. You can place them on your relocation pages, mortgage info pages, or links pages. If you optimize those pages correctly, then your local area real estate ads won't show on those pages.

Will you make millions? No. Although I have heard some people make thousands a month by building dozens of sites kust to make Adsense revenues. But more than likely, you can make more than enough money to pay your web hosting fees and put some $$$ in your pocket. Google will send you a check each time your balance hits $100.

Here are a few set up tips:

If you have multiple sites, you don't need (or want) multiple Adsense accounts. You want the money to build up in one account.

If you have multiple sites, be sure to create "channels". This way you can see which sites are producing revenue.

NEVER click on your own ads or scheme against Google with other web surfers to drive revenues across a bunch of sites. Google is VERY GOOD at detecting click fraud.

Google tips on ad placement and layout (https://www.google.com/support/adsense/bin/static.py?page=tips.html)

Best of all, it's zero maintenence once you set the color scheme and ad placement.

[Phoenix Realtor]

It's only money and while most do indeed need more, there are more important things in life.

I only have homes for sale (http://www.phoenixhomes.com/ListNow/Default.aspx) at my websites. That is it. Period.

I know there are a lot of people who will strongly disagree with me. But, I think that it would be like selling out my site to add those to it. My site, my visitors and my outlook on life are too important to consider a few extra bucks in exchange.

Talk to me about $100,000 a year in extra income and my mind changes quickly though. ;) (I know some that make or used to make that per month).

[HHI Golf Guy]

It's definitely not for everyone. On most of my sites I use it on links pages. On my client sites, it's their decision and we set up an account for them so that they get the revenues.

[chachi]

I think with a few well positioned real estate websites (as most here have or will have in the future) $100k/year via Adsense is possible.

Plus, it beats the heck out of up calls. :)

[Phoenix Realtor]

I don't know, I was brought up old school. And in that school we were taught: "If it sounds to good to be true, than it probably is."

So, if one can easily make $100K a year with two or three well placed real estate sites, there would have to be a downside. Maybe people would stop bookmarking your site and coming back because they are so sick of seeing advertisments everywhere they go in life, on the net and on TV?

[HHI Golf Guy]

You are NOT going to make $100k with a few real estate web sites. You might be able to make that much if you set up a bunch of ambulance chaser web sites geared towards the latest civil lawsuit. The only problem is that are about a billion other web sites competing for that same piece of the pie.

BTW, according to the Google TOS I cannot disclose my income that I receive from Adsense, so please don't ask.

[chachi]

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. :)

[Corey Bryant]

BTW, according to the Google TOS I cannot disclose my income that I receive from Adsense, so please don't ask.
Didn't Google actually get rid of that part of their TOS? I thought I read that on a few other boards

[HHI Golf Guy]

Didn't Google actually get rid of that part of their TOS? I thought I read that on a few other boards

I stand corrected - the TOS has changed. If I choose to I can disclose my payment information, but not CTR or similar information. :o

Confidentiality. You agree not to disclose Google Confidential Information without Google's prior written consent. "Google Confidential Information" includes without limitation: (a) all Google software, technology, programming, specifications, materials, guidelines and documentation relating to the Program; (b) click-through rates or other statistics relating to Site performance in the Program provided to You by Google; and (c) any other information designated in writing by Google as "Confidential" or an equivalent designation. However, You may accurately disclose the amount of Google’s gross payments to You pursuant to the Program.

[Phoenix Realtor]

I don't need to know your CTR's or total pay outs.

I know there is a ton of money in it, or there wouldn't be five ba-zillion websites made specifically for adwords out there. (Yes, ba-zillion is a real number...) :rolleyes:

Money F's up so many good things. It's F'in up email with all the SPAM for sale crap, now there's ba-zillions of new websites with adwords... and so on.

Ad's, ad's, ad's... they are verywhere we go. They say the average MTV generation kid is so sick of things being pushed in their face that they litterally have shut down their listening skills to block it all out.

Sad isn't it.

[Phoenix Realtor]

BTW, Shawn after re-reading my posts, I thought I should add that I am not picking on you. I have a lot of respect for you, your knowledge and generosity. :D I guess I'm just a little fed up with all the ads... :(

[HHI Golf Guy]

BTW, Shawn after re-reading my posts, I thought I should add that I am not picking on you. I have a lot of respect for you, your knowledge and generosity. :D I guess I'm just a little fed up with all the ads... :(

Don't worry - it did not even cross my mind that you were being negative in any way. The whole idea of this forum is to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Having two different viewpoints is a great way to see things in a different light and usually spurs deeper debate.

Absolutely no offense taken on my part - it never even crossed my mind.

[Phoenix Realtor]

<Insert huge smilie here>

[cutreal]

That will do I will try to do that on my new wesbite realestatecut.com