Learning the ropes; Looking for suggestions

Hi all!

First off, I want to say that I enjoy these forums - so far, I feel like I am learning alot from you guys.

This morning I set up a test page to start learning the adsense ropes. I know they aren't huge paying keywords etc. but I am hoping that from it I can get pointers and experience to put into a better effort. My site is:

http://www.allaboutdolphins.net

What can you suggest about ad placing/layout etc? Also, for the last couple of hours, I have been getting PSA's... Is it something google did? Or is it something I did?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to look!

Brian

 

I think you can be getting PSA because there are no ads about dolphins and also there quite low amount of content on your first page.

 

Continue to add new content. Try some dolphins-related subjects. In time, and with luck, PSAs will disappear.

 

That's a cool little thing you got going.

 

You can monentize it by putting adds on the left and right colums. You just need to make more content about dolphins. Make it something everyone would be interested in. Go with what your doing and I think it will explode. Do some advertising, let me know if my opinoun helps. PM me if you need more help. Good luck!

 

Well, there are definately ads for dolphins - see http://www.digitalpoint.com/tools/adsense-sandbox/?url=dolphins

I will ad more content. I did some beginner keyword research on dolphins and the various realted searches using overture's inventory, and it was showing 50,000 searches per month. The ads are there, and, while not being high CPC, they were enough to make it worthwhile (researched using adwords).

I am currently building backlinks through directory submissions; now I should have 5 or 6 anyways, and 1 on wikipedia, and I do get some traffic from them.

How does my method sound so far?

I don't want to plaster the site with ads; While more ads can mean more money, I am worried about having way to many ads for the content.

Thanks for looking, everyone.

Brian

 

Just out of curiosity, what makes you think it will explode? I would consider myself lucky getting 100 uniques per day....

 

I would make it an authority site by adding more content from you and other people that will let you put their content on your site. Please make sure you do NOT break any copyright laws. I am sure there is tons of information out there and enough people that want to know more about dolphins. I do agree that there may not be a lot of ads for dolphins but you can write articles about LOCATIONS that might be places people can see dolphins and that would give you lots of ads. There are tons of travel ads out there.

 

I agree with the above... Show content with locations on dolphin sightings or petting aquariums. You'll see the ads show up.

 

Ok... he site is improving, and I am now getting visitors through Google and MSN... However, 300 uniques today now, but *no* clicks.

What can I do to increase my CTR?

 

Why the need for sign ups? What incentives are you giving for people to sign up?

would be nice to see some pictures too. I mean, it's an information site so you should show what a dolphin looks like.

 

I think the answer here is getting "targeted traffic". But don't worry. With this volume of visitors I think you will start seeing some clicks.

 

Yes - I plan to add more content as time permits.

I've moved the login box so it only displays from the 'log in' link.

 

I have been getting most of my hits from relevant MSN and Googl searches, and links off of relevant sites such as Wikipedia etc.

Still 0 clicks, 2 days later...

 

You have to be patient… May be, in the future you can test some text link units or try different format ads.

 

Wow - I don't know what's changed, but the last two or three days I have been getting 15-25% CTR's on this site.

 

Patience is an art...

 

What?? Are you serious??
I barely have 0.5% CTR
It's because my ads aren't relevant or something like that...
I changed ad position and add another ad unit and it now barely 1.0% :\

Good luck !!

 

well, I spoke too soon - 2 days later, back to 0%

 

Maybe it will change..good luck!