Adwords - Good For Informational/Directory Websites?

send2paul · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-2006, 05:11 AM

Adwords - I've skimmed around this subject for far too long... so here's goes -

I've got a few informational/directory websites that do okay with Adsense.

How would opening an Adwords account help me? How does Adwords help a directory type website?

All help/knowledge/experience gratefully appreciated :)

send2paul · #2 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 12:12 PM

21 views and no replies.... guess I must have stumped everyone! :)

ADAM Web Design · #3 (**permalink**) 03-26-2006, 04:34 PM

I think it's because you're confusing two ideas.

Are you talking about AdSense (from the publisher standpoint) or AdWords (from the advertiser standpoint)?

send2paul · #4 (**permalink**) 03-28-2006, 03:57 PM

Adwords.

I use Adsense already.

Can Adwords help me on informational websites which are SEO'd for top paying keywords, where the only revenue off the site is from Adsense?

RegDCP · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2006, 05:54 PM

How are your organic keyword placements doing?
Are you near the top of the lists?

It seems to me if yu are getting top SE results for your keywords you would be wasting your money puttin in paid listings.

SemAdvance · #6 (**permalink**) 03-28-2006, 06:06 PM

HI Send2

I have done what you are asking and here are my findings.

Adsense for most publishers, make about 0.50 per click.

Adwords costs approximately 0.50 per click

1 for 1 if you have a 100% ctr which we know you don't.

at a 20% CTR you will spend $2.50 in Adwords to make 0.50 in Adsense.

If you can get the CPC down to 0.05 then you could maybe break even.

Yahoo also costs about 0.50 per click and Ask.com is at 0.25

7search, abcsearch, mamma, etc do not send very good traffic even though they may less expensive. If you have seen the site their ads appear on you would not be quick to buy their services.

So your answer in my eyes is to not to bother.

Even if you found high paying keywords in Adsense such as mesothelioma... you'll also pay through the wallet in Adwords to get clicks.

Stay with SEO and viral marketing for Adsense.

Hope this helps.

Keimos · #7 (**permalink**) 03-28-2006, 07:30 PM

Hi send2paul,

Quote:

Adwords - I've skimmed around this subject for far too long... so here's goes -

I've got a few informational/directory websites that do okay with Adsense.

How would opening an Adwords account help me? How does Adwords help a directory type website?

All help/knowledge/experience gratefully appreciated :)

Adsense makes money for other people, you pay for adwords. Simple or what.

If you use adwords wisely you can find out the keywords relevant to your site or you can use keywords where you have problems attracting traffic. There is a way to use adwords to your advantage and far cheaper than paying someone else. (0.20<)

I will say no more, think about it!

Keimos

adebold · #8 (**permalink**) 03-29-2006, 04:23 AM

I've seen that there are some people playing the AdWords Arbitrage game but I can't see how it would be possible to sustain this over the long term. It seems a lot of work and quite risky when your effort could be better spent elsewhere.

Obviously I don't know the subject of your directory sites but AdWords could still be useful for other reasons if there were other ways to monetize your traffic.

send2paul · #9 (**permalink**) 03-29-2006, 02:54 PM

Hmmmmm... food for thought here...

I think the math(s) of this issue will be the deciding factor - looking at my CTR, average click payout - and seeing if it's worth it to go ahead with Adwords.

Yes - it's true Adsense is free - and Adwords cost money - but you also have to speculate to accumulate - as long as the deal is right :)