When to stop promoting a site?

[Skinski]

As some of you may know, I've been an affiliate since the very early days of PDC .As time has went on I never really knew what I was doing, but in the last few months or so have tried to become a better affiliate and have better web-sites. (though I'm am far from being there from what I see..)

What I've learned has been mostly through reading forums and trail and error....heck, I'd never even been on a computer till 2005 when one of my kids showed me that I could play poker online ! And I'm 47 years old..lol

My question is this. When do you decide to give up on promoting a site ? I've got sites that I've been half heartily promoting since I started HouseofPokerBlues and not made a dime with. Should I take those pages off the site and just concentrate a the few rooms that do make a few bucks ?

I just get the feeling that I'm getting to "cluttered up" just for the sake of trying too hard...

[jagan]

I am not sure about the stop time of promotion, it depends on you if you are satisfied with the website results.

As for as taking off the pages, i will advice you to use 301 redirect of those pages in case you decide to take off some pages.

[hiddenchamp]

only promote something if that makes fun.

If you are unsatisfied with your site try promoting another one.

[Skinski]

I enjoy what I do, and the learning experience as well . Just thinking that maybe I've become an affiliate of too many sites and maybe dumping some of them that have not made any money.....I just hate giving up on anything, but some of the rooms I promote have not made a single dime in months.

[TheGooner]

Hey Slinski.

I note the word half-heartedly used in there - so I'll suggest that you re-evaluate the level of exposure that is REALLY being given to these non-performing sites.

So do you REALLY mean that you promoted these sites .... actually recommended these sites to your visitors as good places to play ... or do you mean that you stuck up a few banners around the place?

Were the sites really "promoted" or did their ads sit there while you hoped for a couple of click-by visitors to go there?

Revisit your site with fresh eyes, pretend to be a new visitor and honestly and objectively look at the advertising spots, text and supporting information that you've given potential players.

Which of your promoted sites would YOU really choose if you were a fresh visitor, and which would you probably not?

Most affiliate sites follow an 80-20 rule and will see that 80% of their revenue come from their 3-4 most heavily promoted sites ...

Assuming that :
a) you have good traffic (tens of thousands of eyeballs a month +)
b) you honestly gave these sites a feature spot
c) you can see in their reports that you are sending them clicks each day
d) you have given them 3-6 months to show a return

Then if you're still not happy with the results - you are correct and should probably stop promoting this site.

If a-d is not true, then you probably have not given that site a fair test of it's conversion potential.

Hope that helps.

[wallstreeterww]

Nice post gooner. I started some sites a while back and just did link building without checking on any results. I woke up one morning to see that they got some pretty good results on yahoo. Sometimes if you have the attitude of not expecting anything at all you can be surprisingly shocked lol.

Hey Slinski.

I note the word half-heartedly used in there - so I'll suggest that you re-evaluate the level of exposure that is REALLY being given to these non-performing sites.

So do you REALLY mean that you promoted these sites .... actually recommended these sites to your visitors as good places to play ... or do you mean that you stuck up a few banners around the place?

Were the sites really "promoted" or did their ads sit there while you hoped for a couple of click-by visitors to go there?

Revisit your site with fresh eyes, pretend to be a new visitor and honestly and objectively look at the advertising spots, text and supporting information that you've given potential players.

Which of your promoted sites would YOU really choose if you were a fresh visitor, and which would you probably not?

Most affiliate sites follow an 80-20 rule and will see that 80% of their revenue come from their 3-4 most heavily promoted sites ...

Assuming that :
a) you have good traffic (tens of thousands of eyeballs a month +)
b) you honestly gave these sites a feature spot
c) you can see in their reports that you are sending them clicks each day
d) you have given them 3-6 months to show a return

Then if you're still not happy with the results - you are correct and should probably stop promoting this site.

If a-d is not true, then you probably have not given that site a fair test of it's conversion potential.

Hope that helps.

[RPM Poker]

I think It all depends on the amounts of users. If a site is not being visited at least 5-10 times a day after a lot of time and work you should consider moving on

[Decker]

IMO if you do believe in those sites you promote but there aint no conversations you could try to talk to the affiliate manager and come
up with an interesting incentive that will draw more players and maybe even convince them to deposit cause they will get something in return

[Chris-AffiliateClub]

I know a lot of affiliates give more exposure to the casinos/poker rooms/sportsbooks etc that make them the most money.

Concentrate on your money-makers and try some new properties out too.

I wouldn't jeopardise one of your prime spots for a new property as this may affect your steady income from your top earners.

[uyur]

Work on harder to promote your website, You should never stop promoting your website if you need $$$$$. I do promote my websites all the time already!
Just my honest opinion...

[GFPC]

I honestly give it a 4-6 months rule. I agree it needs time for players to see it.
One of the things i do, is after 1 2 months if no conversions, i switch it up.

I am also going to trail putting small graphic beside good revenue sites see how that works. The of course speak to AM. If fails remove!
When i say small graphic here an example when you sit on a poker table on some sites you see that black jack logo on screen beside a players seat.
I am sure this adds revenue to the site. Why not try on your site with strong earners. It allows people to associate it with the site that interested them, thus they click it.
Its the sites job then to have a super looking site to attract them to deposit.

I just recently saw CD pokers new site. I must admit was not to trilled at first. But then i realized its a new up to date version and most likely to convert better. Keep sites that are willing to change with the times.
One last point. I don't know what AM think on this but custom made banners for a site, that really make the site graphically smooth are a good idea. Plus it stands out from the crowd of the same old banners everyone has.
See also if a site will give you a special landing page. Those work wonders, and make you look more legitimate. Like you have a strong relationship with the poker site.

Hope this helps.

GFPC

[jonathan_market-ace]

I think TheGooner is absolutely correct.

There's a difference between a site that provides a resource and site that just displays banners.

That difference is usually a few zeroes on the end of the commission payment!

Jon
__________________________________________
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Market-ace - the affiliate program for leading UK soft gaming brands SunBingo.co.uk, NOTWBingo.co.uk and JackpotJoy.com.