You know it always amazes me what some people will do for money. I’m talking about plastering ads all over your blog. To me there’s nothing worse than visiting a blog only to find two 300 by 250 ads right in your face before you even see content.
The first thing you should know is these ads are greatly reducing the chance of someone commenting, tweeting or socially sharing on any of your articles on their favorite networks. In fact I don’t even let the website finish loading I simply click the close option and continue looking for other blogs to engage with.
Take a minute and remove one of those ads! Get your visitors more engaged and excited about visiting your blog. Trust me two huge 300 by 250 ads is not the way to do it. If you’re wondering how crazy and ugly it looks here’s an example. If you can’t see the ugly in this, then your blind!
By removing one of your ads you’re going to make your blog more inviting. With it as shown above no one is going to share your articles or even bother sticking around to comment. I was just on a site like this, a good friend and longtime blog engage member. I wanted to comment but decided not to as I couldn’t share it with my friends.
So if you’re one of the bloggers that have these two huge ads at the beginning of your blog I strongly suggest you remove one and make it look more inviting for your visitors. If not I promise you’re not going to be getting comments from me and half the blog engage members that also find it annoying and too aggressive.
I hope this article encourages you to make the change and create an easier going and fun blog to visit. Remember it’s not always about making money you have to create a clean and fun environment for your visitors to read and engage in.
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Twitter, bbrian017
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Twitter: talktherapybiz
Hey Brian–
I couldn’t agree more–I was just reading (well, skimming actually) a blog article and chose not to RT b/c of the ads. I find them so distracting and tacky…
I’m sure there’s a classier way of making money, and some are able to pull it off, but as you mentioned, ads just take away from your credibility and make people want to click away.
In the end, it’s all about engaging and sharing. Unfortunately, for some the end and the beginning last about 1.5 seconds.
Linda recently posted..What John Wayne Can Teach Men About Depression
Twitter: rob_lindquist
Brian, great article. I just wrote about the same theme in my last post. It’s not only annoying but screams amateur.
I’m a big fan of text ads embedded in good content and purchase via these links often.
People have been conditioned to ignore ads. This is why banners have decreased in effectiveness over the past 5 years.
Rob Lindquist recently posted..Minimalist Blogging Secrets for Better Blog Results
Twitter: stevescott1
Brian,
A great point. I have no problems with the ideas of ads, even though I don’t have any on my sites. I will randomly even click on AdSense ads on sites I visit if I like the article, just as a “job well done”.
But you have a great point, there is a tipping point with ads. It can go pretty quickly from a small part that doesn’t detract to actually crowding out the article.
I’ve actually seen pages were couldn’t tell what was article and what was ad. There is nothing wrong with trying to make a buck but it needs to be tempered with common sense. Keeping and at a minimum and trying to make them flow with the content so as not to distract the reader is important part of this equation.
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Twitter: Mazzastick
Very true Brian and I had just visited a site that like the other day. I have ad blindness any way so it didn’t bother me that much but for many readers it is a big turn off.
Justin | Personal Growth recently posted..Use Online Income to Meet your Financial Goals
Twitter: IMRelations
As Justin said ad blindness is a huge factor to take into account. how many people are like him, and simply ignore them to the point of not even seeing them?
Too many ads at best is a distraction and at worst will drive people away. Focus more on great content, and incorporating a link or two into your content. you will get a better click through rate than ad blocks ( especially adsense that will pay you a few pennies anyway.)
Twitter: blogstashdotcom
Right on Brian. Although I use ads on my blog and I think everyone should if they want to make money form their blogs, I dont see the point of cluttering your page with ads. I mean, I see sites that have more ads than actual content on them.
I think juts like anything else, there should be a balance when ti comes to using ads. If ads are going to be in the way of readers and “in your face” kind of thing, you may lose your readers and ultimately your revenue earned from those ads.
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I think it’s a huge mistake to start adding banners on a blog before it’s well established. It’s a little sad to see a brand new blog with no traffic and half the sidebar lined with banner ads. The new blogger really doesn’t understand the damage and many of the blog themes are setup with banner ad widgets.
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HI Brian! In my opinion, it is better to make ads that can attract more readers. it is not I contradicted your post but it can be the only way reader would find interest what kind of blog you are promoting. However, the decision will still be on the readers!
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I absolutely agree with Brian! If a blog isn’t very popular, and haven’t yet got its own audience of readers and so on, then it will be a little bit silly to add banners from the very beginning