Unstyled sites

theonemanyuri · 22-06-2011, 07:46:46 PM

I was initially talking about adsense ye but I'm interested from any affiliate perspective too. Your point about trust is a good one and I guess the main difference between the adsense and affiliate points of view.

I see what you mean about nineplanets being an old site. I've noticed the amount of unstyled sites I've stumbled on while searching for info seems to be a lot less in the last 6 months or so. With html5 and css3 there are a lot more 'subtle' styling options like dropshadows and transparency, maybe making a site styled in a very subtle way could be the direction to take?

On my affiliate sites, I usually use a 'more information' type link to the merchant rather than a 'buy now' type link so hopefully that would reduce the trust issue somewhat as it's less formal. Do you think that's a fair assumption?

wb · 22-06-2011, 07:54:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theonemanyuri

On my affiliate sites, I usually use a 'more information' type link to the merchant rather than a 'buy now' type link so hopefully that would reduce the trust issue somewhat as it's less formal. Do you think that's a fair assumption?

I would say that's a fair assumption, yes. Has doing that been converting for you so far though?

Whether the answer to that is yes or no, when you have some traffic just keep split testing design, layout and content tweaks until you reach the best results (small changes can often have a big impact).

It could even be that the particular website you have a 'more information' button on works better with a 'buy now' one, but you won't know without trying.

theonemanyuri · 22-06-2011, 09:43:12 PM

Well, it has, but to what extent I couldn't really say. I've not been an affiliate for long on my own sites and bar a couple they aren't ranking very highly. Out of the two that rank best (both float around positions 3-5, top 2 are both the relevant institutions so no chance of out ranking them), the one with the more information type links converts better. But like I said this isn't a scientific result by any means, just an observation.

I need to get down to some serious testing, I agree the smallest things can make a big difference. I've changed the font colours on some of my calls to action and saw instant changes... there's so many variables testing is going to take a while, I guess it's got to be an ongoing process to really optimise the site to it's full potential. Is there a specific order you test / optimise in on your sites or is it just on gut instinct to what may be the weakest factors?

pbryd · 22-06-2011, 09:48:33 PM

One thing springs to mind on this topic is your target audience.

When putting a site together you should consider who it is aimed at.

A plain site like the one in the OP might be fine for an astronomy site, aimed at academics or students but probably wouldn't work if you were trying to sell make-up or home waxing kits to young women.

Something to bear in mind.

Phil

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22-06-2011, 07:46:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
theonemanyuri Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 481 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 2)	I was initially talking about adsense ye but I'm interested from any affiliate perspective too. Your point about trust is a good one and I guess the main difference between the adsense and affiliate points of view. I see what you mean about nineplanets being an old site. I've noticed the amount of unstyled sites I've stumbled on while searching for info seems to be a lot less in the last 6 months or so. With html5 and css3 there are a lot more 'subtle' styling options like dropshadows and transparency, maybe making a site styled in a very subtle way could be the direction to take? On my affiliate sites, I usually use a 'more information' type link to the merchant rather than a 'buy now' type link so hopefully that would reduce the trust issue somewhat as it's less formal. Do you think that's a fair assumption?

22-06-2011, 09:43:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
theonemanyuri Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 481 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (100% / 2)	Well, it has, but to what extent I couldn't really say. I've not been an affiliate for long on my own sites and bar a couple they aren't ranking very highly. Out of the two that rank best (both float around positions 3-5, top 2 are both the relevant institutions so no chance of out ranking them), the one with the more information type links converts better. But like I said this isn't a scientific result by any means, just an observation. I need to get down to some serious testing, I agree the smallest things can make a big difference. I've changed the font colours on some of my calls to action and saw instant changes... there's so many variables testing is going to take a while, I guess it's got to be an ongoing process to really optimise the site to it's full potential. Is there a specific order you test / optimise in on your sites or is it just on gut instinct to what may be the weakest factors?

22-06-2011, 09:48:33 PM	#14 (permalink)
pbryd Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Newcastle Posts: 348 No Classified Ratings Domain Trader Rating: (0% / 0)	One thing springs to mind on this topic is your target audience. When putting a site together you should consider who it is aimed at. A plain site like the one in the OP might be fine for an astronomy site, aimed at academics or students but probably wouldn't work if you were trying to sell make-up or home waxing kits to young women. Something to bear in mind. Phil