I checked my email this morning and found a Newsletter that Google is celebrating 10 year Anniversary of its Adsense program. It was a message I received gladly because the Google Adsense program has significant influence in my online business model. It got me thinking about how much I have benefited from the program. So I decided to check my Adsense account for my ‘All Time’ earning – wow, was I impressed.
I registered for Google Adsense Program since 2008 but started earning substantial income from the ad serving program in 2010. In 2012, which was my best year on the programme, I made a total of €11,092.54 – N2,362,711. I Know. I know. That is not a lot of money. People make more than that in one month or less, but it adds up.
I’ve heard a lot of publishers, bloggers and online business owners, talk about how Google Adsense is a failed business model, except for the big players. While I see their reasons and fears, and don’t agree with them, I admit there are pros and cons of using this program.
Pros of Google Adsense Monetization strategy
The sweetest thing about Google Adsense is that it allows you to start making money on your blog or website once you are approved into the program. All you need is copy a code from your Adsense account, paste it into your content site and concentrate on building your site with quality content and traffic.
Cons
Relying on Google Adsense as you sole monetisation strategy will frustrate you. Did I tell you that it took me years to build my site to earn up to €1000+ per month? Are you willing to wait that long to start making reasonable income from your effort? Google Adsense works best when you have other source of income from your site, so you concentrate on offering your other service or product while Adsense runs on the background.
If you are just starting out or only few months old in the business, don’t expect to get much from the program until you have put in reasonable time and effort into your product – blog or website.
Trust me, it’s not a lazy man’s business model.
What has worked for me
- 1. Build a content rich website/blog
Since I started sharing my web business story and how I’ve used Google Adsense successfully, I’ve had dozens of people, create clones of my site and copy and paste contents – Simple dumb. Yesterday, I had to send a warning mail to one that has copied and pasted dozens of my work on his site as his own. I guarantee that these people do not last in the business. If you want to do it right, come up with idea you can stick to, build a web platform around it and stick to it.
- 2. Be not the jack of all trade
This is where a lot of content publishers get it wrong. Unless you are Facebook, trying to build a website for everyone is a Failed strategy – Failed in capital F. Don’t fall into that trap. Even if you intend to make your blog/website for general topics, start with a small niche and as you grow your audience and establish in that space, you can gradually expand.
- 3. Test. Test. And test. Optimisation
From the screenshot of my earning, you will notice that my earning almost doubled between April and May. Do you think that is due to increase in traffic? No, it is not. It was due to a particular change I made on the ad placement and positioning. That shot my earning to almost double the previous month. The lesson: don’t be satisfied with a particular ad placement. At the Google SYNC Nigeria invite-only event I attended, about two weeks ago, the speakers from Google Adsense team US advised that you test once in 3 months. But I do mine like once in 6 months. Do whatever is suitable for you.
- 4. Choose one or two promotion strategy and maintain stick-to-itiveness
The curse of the information age is information overload and overwhelm. Everyone is playing caught up while the big players keep creating more distractions. The worst thing you’ll ever do in your online promotion strategy is to try to do everything and be everywhere. If you think that will make you an expert, guru or whatever, you need to think again. Sticking to one or two promotion strategy at a time has really help me in growing my site’s audience.
In the end, it all about your interest to serve your defined audience. If you are just in it for the money, you will burn out like a stick of cigarette.
With this, I’d say, Happy 10 year anniversary to the team at Google Adsense. We look forward to a more prosperous and Euro spitting years to come!
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