CTR less than 1%... WHY?!? And what can I do?

Hi guys
on this site: http://sensex.tradeover.net (Indian stock trading simulation) I have a sad sad sad CTR of less than 1%...
Why? Do you think it's placement? What can I do to improve it?

One thing to say: there are "only" 750 users that make around 1,200 AdSense impressions per day - could it be that they see always the same ads and so don't click?

TIA!!

Regards

 

hi mate, im in the same boat as you.... i think the ads are well placed. you could try putting the top banner just above the
"Click here to register for free and to start playing!" to see if it gets more clicks

 

One reason is that forums have dismal CTR's. Another thing I noticed with your site are the duplicate pages (don't expect to rank well). I wouldn't expect the site to do well in the SE's because there is no unique content...only ads!

If your visitor sees the same content over and over don't expect them to stay very long.

Just my $0.02.

 

Hi FUCA925
my site http://sensex.tradeover.net is not a forum, but a stock market simulation - and I don't understand what you mean by "duplicated content"... Could you please explain what you are referring to - maybe it's something I really cannot see about my site...

Thanks!

 

When clicking on the home, view portfolio, and rules and regulations links accross the top I seen the same Welcome to the Sensex headline followed by a paragraph. That's why I mentioned duplicate content.

CTR could be low because your visitors are only there to utilize the simulation functionality and not wanting to click on ads.

 

That's exactly what I think - so since this is the situation, what could be a good way to turn all the impressions and users I have into money?

And does it mean that this kind of sites (where you *do* stuff instead of just *read about* stuff) are not suited for AdSense and similar programs? How to monetize these sites?

Thanks!

 

They are there to paly the simulation game and tehrefore they are not really looking for other information on stocks.

 

Unfortunately, I think the nature of your website (simulation-type) could be it's own worse enemy from a CTR standpoint. The key thing about adsense in addition to needing traffic when it comes to generating revenue is creating websites that answers a question or provides a solution.

 

what about trying to channel specified ads that will help them with playing the stockmarket? books on stock etc?

 

It could be an idea - still I don't think this has the same revenue potential as AdSense... I mean, how many good rewarding referral programs regarding the stock market are there?

I don't know, I still think there must be a better use for my userbase and all the traffic it creates...

TIA!