What's the perfect bonus for your traffic?

[Renee]

What sign up bonuses do you see working best for your traffic?

I'm not looking to start a flame war about free spins bonuses here btw, just wanting to know what the best converting bonus is for YOUR traffic since everyone has a different answer.

On the other hand, if you were able to give input on a new SUB for a casino, what would you suggest?

[pompeyrayuk]

The best promo I ever ran was a measly $3 no deposit no requirements poker bonus which gave me 76 active players. Well for a little while anyhow lol

[TheGooner]

Matched deposit bonuses between $100 to $150.

But simple to understand - with no gimmicks.
Rollover requirements are fine - but need to be upfront and stated simply (eg 15x or 30x).

It's a big enough bonus to interest players - but not too big to scare the "average joe" off.

[universal4]

I like match bonuses in the ranges similar to what Gooner suggested.

But I also have one site in particular, as well as a few scattered pages on other sites where the no deposit offers do ok and produce players for me.

Rick
Universal4

[mojo]

100% or more on the players first 3 - 5 deposits. I like that myself as a player.

[Ryan K]

Renee, when you say 'perfect' bonus, are you referring to best converting.. what about most profitable?

I'd have to agree with The Gooner's 100% up to $100-150 as the best overall bonus. It covers all levels of players and tends to attract players interested in the property, not the bonus. However, if we're talking strictly highest converting, this bonus probably falls short.

Based on popular demand, I'd expect to see more responses about NBDs and high match bonuses. Also, what about the game-specific affiliates (blackjack vs slots vs poker bonuses)?

Should be an interesting thread..

[casinobonusguy]

The best bonus we ever featured that had excellent conversions was Deposit $100 get $200 free .It was from VEGAS Palms Casino.

[Renee]

Renee, when you say 'perfect' bonus, are you referring to best converting.. what about most profitable?

I'd have to agree with The Gooner's 100% up to $100-150 as the best overall bonus. It covers all levels of players and tends to attract players interested in the property, not the bonus. However, if we're talking strictly highest converting, this bonus probably falls short.

Based on popular demand, I'd expect to see more responses about NBDs and high match bonuses. Also, what about the game-specific affiliates (blackjack vs slots vs poker bonuses)?

Should be an interesting thread..

Thanks Ryan.

Perfect would mean it does both. Converts well and gets good value players.

[universal4]

Good point Ryan.....

I think its GREAT when a property has clearly defined bonuses for other games also.

I may not mention it on a standard review (or I may depending on space and flow of the text etc...) but I would certainly mention a special bj bonus (blackjack) on a blackjack page (^ I clarified that for you Giggles)

I know players can be quite frustrated to see a 100% or 200% bonus offer on a video poker site only to find out later that the vp bonus is 50% instead of the standard bonus.

The more I think about it, I don't always cover this as well as I should but I will start paying a bit more attention to it in the future.

Rick
Universal4

[Muppet]

No deposit and free spins are always good. They never fail to get players in the door.

Can't say whether its perfect or not but I am quite partial to the Vegas Towers $50 free bonus. It can't be cashed but there are no playthrough requirements and you can play any game you like - no muss no fuss. I am sure right now you're thinking "bonus abusers ahoy!" but they have been offering it for a long time, and I think averaged out over lots of customers the cost of acquisition is still going to be quite low.

MGS free plays are good but the main problem I see is the player wins another bonus, not real money. This makes all the "$200 free, keep what you win" advertising verge a little on the deceptive side. And one thing a potential customer never wants is to feel deceived, whether they are right or not.

The biggest problem with bonuses is not the type, the amount or the percentage, its the pages of legalise, game restrictions, different game % playthrough weightings that players have to read and understand just to know what they are in for. For anyone who does actually read this stuff, its like signing up to a phone contract when all they want to do is have a bit of fun and hopefully win some money.

So #1 priority should be to keep it simple (admittedly with people looking to collect a free payday with bonuses it is not an easy problem to solve).

One thing I have not seen an online casino do is heavily promote against the herd and advertise themselves as bonus-less or something. I guarantee you there are a stack of players out there who don't want to have their money locked in on ridiculous playthrough conditions. Increase the comp rate, offer random prizes, get creative instead of just going bonus bonus bonus. The first reputable casino that comes along and shouts some thing like "no lock-ins, no playthroughs, best comp rates" will clean up (so if you do .. send me a cheque).

[universal4]

Royal Plaza used to be pretty close to bonus-less...

But I also would like to see a few different operators try that....but if they do, it has to be that way accross the board....no BS of allowing one or two affiliates or a handful of specific affiliate to push a bonus that no one else can....

Rick
Universal4

[Muppet]

Oh yeah, no doubt there are casinos that don't offer bonuses - but none of them really promote it as a benefit that would appeal to some players.

[Renee]

Players are able to forfeit their sign up bonus.

With Rewards casinos, the sign up bonus is put into their loyalty account, so if they decide they don't want to claim the bonus, they just don't transfer it into their casino account...

[Muppet]

Of course they can. But go to 99% of casino websites and what do you see? 100% this, $250 that etc. All I am saying is no-one is specifically shooting for the part of the market that doesn't want these offers and the conditions that come with them. Think I might go open my own casino now heheh ...

[Renee]

Of course they can. But go to 99% of casino websites and what do you see? 100% this, $250 that etc. All I am saying is no-one is specifically shooting for the part of the market that doesn't want these offers and the conditions that come with them. Think I might go open my own casino now heheh ...

You're right, but if you ask your affiliate manager for some marketing material that doesn't include anything about a bonus, I'm sure there would be no problem with that...

Let me know how you go with the casino...

[Nandakishore]

1. !00% on first 3 deposits with wagering requirements not too high
2. Free Plays but not the kind which says '$1500 Free Play for 60 minutes and take away all your wins' and on the 3rd page of the T&C you read: 'Maximum winnings to be transferred $50 with regular wagering requirements'.

[universal4]

I agree that marketing material without the bonus is sometimes handy, but if the visitor lands at the site and they see the bonus on the home page the affiliate usualy has no choice but to promote or at least mention the bonus.

We could not effectively promote a property and say we think it is unique that Casino X decided not to offer a deposit bonus with unreasonable wagering requirements and instead gives that money back in faster loyalty points to players and then the visitor arrives at the casino and see 100% bonus or free play advertised.

Sure a different landing page could be created and promoted, but if the visitor later sees a different offer for Casino X and follows the link and lands on a page that has a bonus, then they may feel the first affiliate led them astray since they didnt offer the bonus, or worse that they do not trust Casino X since they have too many different forms of new player enticements.

Rick
Universal4

[Renee]

I agree that marketing material without the bonus is sometimes handy, but if the visitor lands at the site and they see the bonus on the home page the affiliate usualy has no choice but to promote or at least mention the bonus.

We could not effectively promote a property and say we think it is unique that Casino X decided not to offer a deposit bonus with unreasonable wagering requirements and instead gives that money back in faster loyalty points to players and then the visitor arrives at the casino and see 100% bonus or free play advertised.

Sure a different landing page could be created and promoted, but if the visitor later sees a different offer for Casino X and follows the link and lands on a page that has a bonus, then they may feel the first affiliate led them astray since they didnt offer the bonus, or worse that they do not trust Casino X since they have too many different forms of new player enticements.

Rick
Universal4

That player wouldn't then be looking for a bonus-less casino then right?

[universal4]

Maybe or maybe not....

...but if the affiliate's integrity is blown due to bonus being offered after the affiliate promoted the property as not having a bonus then the method of promotion has not worked in the affiliates favor. (and possibly not in the casino's favor either)

In my statement above I was trying to justify why adding another landing page alone (without bonus) would not be enough.

Now in the case of the way you guys created the choice landing page for Casino Action....now that I fully support and think was a very good idea.

You try and explain the choices up front to the player and allow the player to choose....

Rick
Universal4

[islandmaan]

Everybody offers match bonuses so it is not that enticing. Why not offer a 10% bonus on a players first months winnings? No play thru, no requirements if you win in your first x period of time one or 2 months then you get an extra 10% automatically applied to your account.

Appeal to the players ability to win, no requirements and easy to understand. Make the only rule that the must open an account with at least a $50 deposit. I have not set up bonuses for a long time so I have not run the numbers but I think it is unique and goes to the ego of the player.

Let me know your thoughts, don't forget were the idea came from

Brian aka islandmaan