Nov
29

The Truth About AdSense Income

By

I know a LOT of people have tried AdSene marketing without enjoying much or any success. I’ll set the record straight with this post as to what Adsense is, what to expect from it, and a few strategies that work and those that don’t.

Google AdSense is the EASIEST money I make online.

Here’s what I mean by “easy”:

  • Most of my AdSense sites have no link to me. I get no questions from visitors and I have zero customer service issues. Even the affiliate products I promote generate a significant amount of questions, etc.
  • Google is reliable and sends a check each month like clockwork.
  • My small niche AdSense sites require very little maintenance or attention in order to remain ranking well (this is true of all very small niche sites).
  • AdSense is as close to “autopilot” income as it gets. One of my top producing sites was created over 4 years ago. I have not added one page of content to that 15 page site in 4 years!
  • Now days, WordPress with at good theme (Like this one I use) makes the site creation process SUPER easy. Minus the content writing, a 20 page site can easily be created in half a day.

So, if it’s that easy, you may be asking why EVERYONE doesn’t do AdSense marketing and have success with it.

Here are the real “secrets” to AdSense success (note: Never buy a product that promises to expose some super secret AdSense “trick”…there are no secrets).

  • Picking niches and the keywords (more info about keywords here) for those niches are the basic foundation for all AdSense success. You just GOTTA get that part right.
  • A foundation of SEO knowledge is required.
  • Basic site building skills for creating multiple sites on a solid and inexpensive host (that supports WordPress 100%) is a required.
  • The Adsense ads must be integrated onto the page and within the content well.
  • Proper testing with Adsense ad types, styles, and placements is required. What works well for one site in one niche may not work well on another site in another niche.

AdSense success is all about targeted traffic. (just as with any other Internet marketing area)

Obviously, the more traffic a site gets, the more likelihood there is for visitors to click an AdSense ad. However, beginning AdSense marketers often underestimate how much traffic is required.

I can’t say how many beginning marketers I have worked with that create a small niche site and expect it to “pay their bills”. It is EXTREMELY difficult to build one site that will pay the mortgage with anything but a mountain of effort.

Focusing on one site in a somewhat larger niche is  fine…so long as people understand the time and work required to gain traction in a potentially very profitable area.

Most of the successful AdSense marketers I have helped train use the “many small niche sites” method. Some of their sites may make several hundreds of dollars each month, but most probably average $20 to $100 each month.

It is MUCH easier to create 10 sites making a total of $500/month than it is to make ONE site earn $500/month.

Once again, “adding value to the world” is required. (Even if the “value” is simply using SEO to help rank pages well using long tail keywords.) The value in that case comes from helping people find what they want.

Of course, the more value added means more income. If the site can offer real help or advice on something, the site will do better than one that is simply regurgitating already available information.

And now…my BEST ADVICE for anyone wishing to build an AdSense business:

  • Forget trying to make money at first. Learn how to pick niches and get targeted traffic. The money will follow.
  • Stop looking at and trying “secret formula” packages/templates. Online marketing BASICS are ALL that are required for success.
  • Pick niches that people spend money in. For example, for every thousand visitors, a site about remote controlled model airplanes will do far better than a site about “how to grow tomatoes”.
  • Keyword target BUYERS and not just those looking for information on a topic. Optimizing for name brands and reviews are examples of targeting buyers.
  • Stay focused for the long haul…don’t expect a “home run” right off or even anytime soon.
  • DO NOT focus ALL online marketing efforts solely on AdSense. Diversify!With WordPress and a bit of keyword/niche/SEO knowledge, anyone can enjoy at least some level of monthly success. Just as with any Internet marketing area, more focused action will result in more success.Dedicated to Your Success,Steve

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Categories : Marketing Tools

Comments

  1. Nigel says:

    I’ll give you my experience so far… I read the books and did the research and went for medium to high paying keywords. I had little or no success!

    I then had a determined effort and put up 50 websites, using adsense as the advertising revenue for that site. I made a special effort to promote each website slightly different so if I hit on a magic little system I would adopt it for all of them.

    The observation I’ve made after 3 months is that promotion will take time, but ‘LONG TAIL KEYWORDS’ once indexed create quick results.

    Instead of aiming for high paying keywords and getting 5 clicks per day and zero adsense I’ve noticed that after 3 months I’ve got one site getting 350 visits per day with 50 to 100 adsense clicks, but the revenue is only 3-5 pence per click.

    Nothing amazing, but a lesson from this example. Aim for a market that nobody else is trying to promote because they think there’s little or no adsense revenue. Here in the UK this niche website is getting £7 ($10) each day and is only 3 months old.

    I’m changing my strategy for the future! I’m not aiming high but aiming low and getting better results…

    I found this tool has help me develop my adsense sites. http://www.best-websitebuilder.org

  2. Troy Johnson says:

    Great advise. Your adsense advise rings true based upon my experience (Adsense is part of the reason my website is now my livelihood. The WordPress recommendation was spot on as well.

  3. brett says:

    Finally enough insight to understand how and where to apply
    Google Adsense .. TY .. Steve Weber… much appreciated!

    -Brett-

  4. Paul says:

    Very good sound advice Steve. I have one niche site that makes me a good second income. I am also in the process of developing other smaller niche sites. My plan is to duplicate what I have already learned and double, possibly triple my income.
    Paul

  5. Steve says:

    I like it!….yep, THAT is the strategy that works. Cool…”Aim high but aim low”….

  6. Steve says:

    You are welcome Brett!

  7. Steve says:

    Yes, I always like to tell people that once they figure out how to make $100 a month with AdSense, they ALREADY know how to make $500 a month…and then next, $1000 a month…etc.

  8. Great advice Steve. You are quite right – it is easier to get 10 websites to earn $100 a month than to make one website earn $1000 a month. That has been my experience too. I have been using Google Adsense for a few years now, and I have one addition to make to your advice – follow your heart and do what you are passionate about.
    As you say Steve, don’t focus on the money; focus on the traffic. I would say – focus on what you absolutely love, and traffic and money will follow. Thanks for the article, Steve.

  9. Steve says:

    100% right on!!

  10. I have learn quite an insight about adsense advertising here! Steve you are the man!
    Thanks for sharing this adsense knowledge.

  11. Coincidently, I just recently signed up for Adsense and came across this post. I am really hopeful now that I can put things in perspective. What I take away from this is volume is the key, more sites = more exposure. And why not link some of them together as well, wouldn’t that help also? I am also learning that content is vital as well. (Something I need to work on) I am forever learning new things, always evolving. Thanks for your guidance Steve.

  12. Steve says:

    Hi Sandy, Well, some people go for volume (many many tiny niche sites). Others focus on just a few sites in larger niches. Both make nice paydays. Both work. It depends on your personality.
    Careful about “linking your sites together”. I could talk a long time on this…but just be careful. There is no advantage to to this with AdSense sites anyway. You POINT is to get them to click an ad and not a link. (and your seo benefit from linking your own sites is FAR less than your lost paying clicks)

  13. Oh OK I guess I thought that linking was a good thing but maybe only if the content is relevant? Is that what you are getting at? BTW do you have any suggestions on my site? I know it isn’t great but I am an amateur. Also I am confused about larger niches. Isn’t there ALOT more competition?

  14. Steve says:

    You mean linking between your own sites? There’s little benefit there because Google knows you are the owner (WHOIS lookup)

    About your site:

    Well the flashy moving gifs are sort of “old school”….marketers found they were too distracting to visitors. I don’t see a lot of written content. You’ll need that to rank well for your keywords. Have you done keyword research? You know what you want to rank for, etc. ?

  15. Only one of the sites are not protected by proxi.
    So are you saying to remove the flash animation? Bummer I worked really hard on that stuff and I really wanted people to (see) how the track went. But I have noticed that of course Apple products do not work with flash.
    I agree I absolutely need to add more content but what do I write about? I have been talking to customers and I have been posting their family pics, maybe that is something I could write about.
    Also the answer is yes I did research keywords and my site ranks in the top 5 for my intended audience. It is a local business, where tourist are coming to Indiana Beach Amusement Park. But in order for Adsense to really pay off for me I need to find some way to brake out of the local market and widen my exposure.
    Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.

  16. oops i meant break out 🙁

  17. Kelvin says:

    Steve, do you have any course teaching adsense ? I am keen. Pls advise.

    Kelvin

  18. Steve says:

    Yes, in my member’s section I teach AdSense marketing. My members’ section also has a LOT of focus on SEO and niche selection. Of course those skills are vital for not only AdSense, but all aspects of online marketing.

    Why not schedule a complimentary strategy call with me….no cost….no pressure….just a lot of good info you will learn.
    http://wordpress-17920-39382-109004.cloudwaysapps.com/free-strategy-session/

  19. Ken says:

    Do you recommend multiple domains for Adsense? I was thinking if it would be more cost effective to have a catch-all domain name and multiple niches as its subdomains…

Although I give away a LOT of info, I do promote some third party products that I use and find great value in.
Usually, I will receive a commission when these products are purchased from this site.
But as I said, I NEVER promote anything unless I find it valuable in my own business.