Is it ok to put adds on your website?

Patrice Lemée

Patrice Lemée

Joined
Aug 13, 2002
Messages
5,703
I mean Google adds. Nothing too glaring but just a few on a sidebar maybe. Not trying to become rich but maybe it can generate a little income if only enough to pay for the site hosting for the year. This is a hobby for me after all and any amount of money that can help buy tools and supplies is a good thing.

My question is would that be seen in a negative way and be detrimental to a reputation?

Patrice
 
My personal opinion is its tacky and unprofessional on a Custom Knifemaker's website, however, it is obviously your choice. The thing to ask yourself is this: How will those who visit my website view external ads? Then its a matter of weighing that against whatever income you might derive from those ads.
 
I could see maybe having some banners up from other makers or suppliers on a links page. I would shy away from pretty much anything else. Personally I think it's distracting and looks cheap.
 
I personally have nothing against it. To me, it shows that the maker is keeping his costs at a minimum. I just hate the annoying flashing ads, but the google text ads are no big deal to me.
 
My wife has a blog about work at home jobs that she reviews. She runs an account with Google AdSense and a couple others. At the height she was making about $11 a day. Mind you $50 a month of that was going to Yahoo (pay for referral type thing). Right now however, she's making about $3 a day. But I agree, it can be distracting and make it look very unprofessional as a knife maker related site.
 
Patrice, I just looked at your site again and I wouldn't change a thing, except post more knives. :)
 
Thanks guys, I'll listen to your wise words then.
Except you of course Mike. :p

And I'll do my best to add some more knives on there.

Patrice
 
I'm often the odd man out too so don't feel too alone Mike. ;) Frankly, text adds that had to do with knife making would not bother me - might be interesting and valuable in fact.
 
Adds will only clutter and junk up the screen. I see only greed with this type of revenue generation junk. When this stuff clutters up my view, I move on to other things.
 
Bufford said:
Adds will only clutter and junk up the screen. I see only greed with this type of revenue generation junk. When this stuff clutters up my view, I move on to other things.
Click to expand...

If the ads were at say the bottom of the page, would that still bother you? (bottom as in an extended page, with just the ads down?)
 
I've been on "Brand X" truck forum site and seen Google advertisements for "Brand Y" trucks.

A lot of google ads are geared towards the content being viewed or searched for so there's a lot of potential for lost sales due to the ads.
 
ddavelarsen said:
...Frankly, text adds that had to do with knife making would not bother me - might be interesting and valuable in fact.
Click to expand...

That seems reasonable; but the google and yahoo ads are going to be whatever THEY feel will get/generate hits on their search engines. I'm not sure if you would have any control over that. For goodness sakes, you sure don't some dating service or home-based scam operation showing up on your site. At least, I wouldn't.

I still say a links page like Patrice already has, is the way to go. It's not likely to be a click-based revenue generator, but it show's HE'S controlling what goes on his site. He's supporting the forums, suppliers and other makers he likes. Not just some penny-a-click BS.

I don't have a site yet, but when I do, I want every page to reflect that I'm doing it MY way and offering the very best I can. That's what custom knifemaking is all about to me, and I think a website should reflect that.

If you just want to generate some cash-flow online, start a separate site for porn or phone sex or calling cards or... whatever. Keep that stuff separate from your true calling.

EDIT: this was post number 1776 for me. God Bless America! :)
 
Last edited:
Ads look cheap to some folks and no ads doesn't really make people think anything - if you're after customers go with the website that will be most appealing to most people. I don't think that ads will look good no matter where they are located. Supplier links are a different story.
 
Hmm...Pair your wedding model, sporting a 12" blade with an add for viagra and it might work :D

(Sorry for the bad humour - but your thread did get me to look at your site - nice stuff)...I'd omit descriptions of 'Unknown' steel and just leave that info off the description.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top