Keeping a good reputation despite monetisation

At the beginning, the internet was an “advert free” paradise for everyone and even today many sites are built only for the reason to give information for free.

Therefore, many Internet users are very critical regarding the monetisation of websites especially if you overdo it with affiliate links, banners etc.

It is quite a balancing act that you have to perform as a blogger or website owner. Newcomers find it difficult to find the right way and make mistakes that have a bad long term impact.

To avoid having any long-term negative consequences for your own image and credibility here are a few tips for proper monetisation below.

The most important features

• Typical beginner mistakes in monetising
• 5 tips for a durable reputation

Generally reservations

A few years ago there was a lot of criticism about too much monetisation on the Internet. Today though it is no longer uncommon to see blogs make money.

Even today many visitors to websites and blogs still complain about too many adverts, and websites that appear to be poorly built, with just the focus on making money.

Each website/blog is different and it is a matter of discovering what is acceptable in the particular topic that you are writing about.

Error in monetising

Many beginners make and repeat common errors when they begin to monetise and this may stop them from ever building up a good reputation online.

Too much monetization

There are countless affiliate programs, many banner networks and a variety of other sources of income. That makes it very tempting to install banners, or affiliate links etc. However that can quickly lead to the visitors being put off by too much advertising and they may no longer visit the blog.

Therefore, you should always ensure that the monetisation is not rampant. Your content should always be to the forefront along with good navigation throughout your website.

The purpose of a good website/blog is to help answer questions and offer solutions to genuine problems.

Unsuitable Recommendations

Now although banners and affiliate links may be irritating to some visitors, any links to improper revenue sources can really annoy visitors. So for example if an advert for baby clothes appears on a vehicle website, then it is usually very inappropriate and the visitor simply gets distracted.
Likewise if you include advertising that is dishonest or has a bad reputation, that will reflect on the owner of the website or blog.

Too late integration

Can you integrate advertising too late? Yes, that is quite possible.
If you build your blog for a long time without showing any type of advertising, then readers have an expectation that it will always be like that. If adverts are then introduced it can irritate existing readers.
Therefore it makes sense to test some links and advertising early on with your website.

No labeling

Advertising must be marked as such in the UK. Do not try and hide or place misleading links just to get people to go to a vendor’s website.

Keeping good reputation

It takes a long time until one has built up a good reputation. This brings a lot to the success of a blog, but can also be ruined quickly if you’re not careful.

Below there are 5 tips on how to keep your own good reputation and still make money:

1. Always think about the reader

If you find a new way to earn money or you get an offer to include some advertising, then before acting on this, always consider the views and thoughts of your visitors.

• What will they think of the new advertising medium?
• What long-term effects this will have on your reputation?

If you can answer these questions positively, then that’s fine. If you have any doubts then do not risk it just for the sake of potentially generating revenue.

2. Honest recommendations

Would you yourself use the product, which you are recommending to visitors? This is a question you should always ask yourself when you are using affiliate programs.

Unfortunately, there are always affiliates who promote products simply to earn commission, even though the know nothing about the product, or even if it is getting bad reviews.

Visitors do pick up on this very quickly and you get a bad reputation. Therefore, it is important to give honest recommendations, behind which you can stand.

3. Do not be blinded by possible merit

As an affiliate it is an exciting time when you start to earn your first commissions. The tendency then is to keep recommending other products, or other offers just to earn even more commissions.

Likewise if you get an offer to link to another site or pretend you love a particular product, then the excitement of earning more money can outweigh, the integrity of the website owner.

Always be aware that such short-term sources of income may in the long run harm your reputation and may therefore prevent long-term success. So always take time to consider your readers and not always focus on the cash, tempting as it may be.

4. Information on the company

When you get requests for banners from a company who wants to introduce their product to your visitors, you should find out more information about this company.

Usually if you google the company and look at the homepage, and find out about other people’s opinions, that will help you make a better choice. Some may work well for your website and it is just as likely that some will not be a good fit. Do not simply add a company’s banner to make money in the short term.

5. Balance were

In general it is all about the balance of content and any types of affiliate links or advertising. In simple terms it is this balance between content, usability and honesty on the one hand, and advertising, affiliate links etc. on the other side.

The number one priority is that your visitors should want to come back to your website and have a positive user experience.

Conclusion

The website owner who thinks of the visitors with the long-term consequences in mind, will be permanently successful.
A website or blog’s reputation is an important success factor that should not be jeopardised by short-term greed.