Google Adverts

[stu]

I have to agree with Bam, the top advert spoils the clean look of your site. It also shots the main search box away off to the right on my iPhone's Safari and another iPhone browser. The bottom ones look great and will be clicked on plenty - we all scroll down there when we're catching up on the daily threads. Stu.

Edit: I'm a bit slow typing on this here iPhone!

[PhilT]

I don't have an iWhatsit... Could anybody provide a screenshot so I can see what it looks like?

[amanda1]

Here you go Phil.

[stu]

What about those text-only adverts see on the top and sides of my gmail and other sites? I'm sure you've seen them - they are all the same colour with some text in bold, all hyperlinks. Would they be possible and would they give the similar returns?

[stu]

same thing happens if resizing the window on Safari and Chrome (latest versions)

[PhilT]

Thank you all. It's great to have this level of support

I think the latest changes should address the "keeping our premium space" and the iBrowsers

[PhilT]

What about those text-only adverts see on the top and sides of my gmail and other sites? I'm sure you've seen them - they are all the same colour with some text in bold, all hyperlinks. Would they be possible and would they give the similar returns?

I put the text adverts on the homepage. In comparison to banners, they seem to bring in significantly more revenue but would not be in keeping with the clean style of the forum.

I'd like the ads to be tasteful and not look like this place is powered by greed. I put a lot of effort into the Sponsored Keywords to try to try to "keep it clean" and with respect to those that didn't/don't like it, it seems to work pretty well (I track the stats using Google Analytics).

[AdrianD]

For those that don't like them I can wholly recommend the AdBlock Plus pluggin for Firefox... I'm not seeing any of the adverts

[Mr Footlong]

Due to them causing another forum that I use to hang on a couple of machines here, I am afraid that I have them blocked via a simple HOSTS file alteration. The one niggle with this is that I do sometimes have to double back click when going back through affected pages. I appreciate Phil needing to put them in as expecially these days, you have to make money wherever and whenever you can!

[stu]

Just a quick update. Having used the site the few weeks now, I think the ads look fine now. Never anything of relevance to me (I don't need any 911 parts/servicing, thanks...!) but I might, as a wee experiment, turn on that google advert thing. Can't remember the name: it essentially gives our googly overlords permission to track us and place adverts that are relevant to our browsing and buying habits. I'm wondering how accurate it'll be

[AdrianD]

Still not seen a single advert.. the AdBlock Plus pluggin for Firefox rocks

[PhilT]

Phase 1 is complete - Image banners averaged about £2 per day, which is a nice £700 per year.
Phase 2 is in progress - Seeing if mixing image and text ads increases revenue by placing more content focussed ads.