» April 20, 2008 in
I recently removed all ads from 45n5.com (minus a few older random affiliate links) and a handful of people have asked me why I made that decision. It's just another move in my long struggle with an identity crisis here, but if you really wanna know a few reasons here goes:
Goals - The goal of 45n5.com is NOT to make money with 45n5.com. When I made the post Why I Blog making money wasn't even on the list. If I had to put it on the list it would be towards the bottom.
Obviously, that was in conflict with the amount of space I dedicated to ads or having them at all.
Looks Ads on blogs are ugly. 125x125 banner ads are some of the ugliest ads on the web and even worse when they flash. I wanted my blog to look nicer and the easiest way to do it was remove the ads.
Trust People trust people more who don't accept ad money or smother their blogs in ads/affiliate links than they trust someone with no ads or minimal ads.
For Sale I don't like being for sale ;)
Type Of Ads Many (maybe most) of the advertisers in this make money online space are products/services I wouldn't use myself.
I Make REAL Affiliate Money I don't need to sell your eyeballs to eat, I sell products doing real affilaite marketing.
Selling You Most of you are my friends. I don't want to take money from the highest bidder to have you leave my site and I don't want you to go ;)
Conclusion
There are many other reasons but those are some of the ones that come to mind first.
There are two sides to every point I just made, and removing ads isn't good for everyone's situation. Removing them is good for me at this time, always do what is best for your situation ;)
(another reason was I wanted my videos/posts to appear higher above the fold ;)
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Charles Lau says on April 21, 2008
This must be a really tough decision you have made. Because as a blog grows, it simply gets even more exposure and advertisers are simply flooding in to ask for some exposure on your blog.
Mano says on April 21, 2008
That was a smart move on your part I like visiting Gary Halbert letter website and staying there for a longer time because there are no ads or pop ups just chock full of rock solid information.
Homebizseo says on April 21, 2008
I am confused Mark. How is having ads on a blog about "making money online" a problem? The ads would help your readers seeking info.
Steve McGrath says on April 21, 2008
Why not use openads and only show Adsense for those that found you from Google for example? Your regular readers won't see them in that case. Vic is using that method on is blog.
Kevin says on April 21, 2008
I think it's a good decision. As you say, your main focus here isn't to make money.
In the future if you launch or recommend a product or service then no doubt you would be in a good position to make some money indirectly through this site because your readers trust your judgement.
Homebizseo - In the past Mark has always mentioned sites and services he has liked so I don't think it's a bad thing
:)
knupnet says on April 21, 2008
Mark,
Always a tough decision. It's a fine line when dealing with ads. I really struggle on a few of my sites with "the look". The bigger it gets and more money it makes - the nastier it starts to look :)
Frank C says on April 21, 2008
I've been mulling this over for OpTempo but I'm keeping them for now based on the search traffic to some of my older posts that aren't in the 'blogging for bucks' niche. I started it off as a 'news in review' blog and I may go back to that formula. OpenAds (aka OpenX) might be an option eventually. Too many irons in the fire right now to futz around with though.
If I were running a 100% "make money online" or "blogging about blogging" blog that relied heavily on social referral traffic I'd go ad free. It gives you a lot more authority and credibility in the niche, I think.
45n5 says on April 21, 2008
@kevin - also, I learned from the tla thing last time and contacted existing advertisers with a full refund this time ;)
@homebizseo - The ads don't help people finding info, that's one of the problems, they link to services and products that I usually wouldn't use myself.
@Steve McGrath - if I do anything different for search visitors or new visitors it will be to help them subscribe or hang around longer, not show them ads to send them away as quick as possible ;)
thanks @all for the comments, really, they are quite interesting.
bryan says on April 21, 2008
I hear that you are making real money with affiliate offers. When you did that case study couple of months ago you said it wasn't for you because you couldn't succeed. What has changed?
45n5 says on April 21, 2008
@bryan - I think you were referring to my pay per click trials. i'm still trying to learn ppc and I've got a couple positive campaigns now.
however just because I'm not an expert at ppc doesn't mean I don't make money.
My biggest checks every month come from free traffic from seo and organic links ;)
Also, I don't make any money from affiliate "offers", I think most are shady. All my affiliate income comes from selling products you can hold in your hand.
Debby Banning says on April 21, 2008
Mark,
Removing your ads from your blog was a bold move!
I like it!
It shows that you are giving away good free information without wanting anything in return. Well... except for more readers or watchers in your case!!
Keep up the good work!
~Debby
Vlad says on April 21, 2008
Mark,
What about SYAH? I hope you will continue to develop it, even though you yourself have change your mind about ads on your blog. Unless of course it is not profitable.
45n5 says on April 21, 2008
thanks @debby
@vlad - I still use SYAH on other sites to rotate ads
"Unless of course it is not profitable."
I don't think it will ever be profitable.
Vic says on April 22, 2008
Mark the last few days I have been upgrading tons of sites and had not look at my feed reader when I look at it today I read your post intro and man I had to come over.
It is so refreshing watching your video and see that what I have said in the past is validated my another real make money online guy.
If you make real money online why would you need to see the 125 x 125 and the 5.95 link or is it because indeed what you are good at is telling people you know how to make money online and the only money you make is from selling the 5.95 links?
So Mark kudos man and bless you for helping people in their quest to making money online ;)
Vic
Joel Williams says on April 22, 2008
I like it a lot! I advocate not putting ads on a business blog to lots and lots of people so it's nice a leader like yourself is doing it - I can now prove why it's a good idea :)
blackysky says on April 22, 2008
What do you mean by “I Make REAL Affiliate Money” ? because an affiliate link is the same to me here or somewhere else.
45n5 () says on April 22, 2008:
@blackysky - the expecation here is not that you will be advertised, pitched, or sold tothe expectation at an affiliate product site is you want product info, prices, merchants etc.
it's like your blog is your house, if I come to your house I don't want you to sell me stuff or I probably will think less of you for it. However affiliate sites are like stores, you want products then ;)
@vic - @joel thanks much
brent says on April 23, 2008
how do you redirect links in html pages i am not using
wordpress php or anything with a database.
would i only be able to use no follow links
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