“Should I put ads on my website?” This is a controversial question. Asking different people will result in different answers. Instead of giving you a clear-cut answer to this question, let’s get into the details and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.
That said, below are the pros and cons of having ads on your website:
The Pros Of Placing Ads On Your Site
1. It can contribute to your site’s credibility.
You might think that your readers will simply get free ad blockers to prevent your ads from showing up. But there’s still an upside to placing them on your website. If you are sponsored by respected companies, your website’s credibility might improve. Plus, if your ads appear professional, first-time site visitors might think and feel that your website is really established.
2. Your audience will know what they can expect from your site.
If you monetize your website during its early stages, your visitors will know what to expect. Of course, you will still put out great content. But at least, the readers will know early on that you employ ads on your site.
3. It motivates you to maintain your site.
Various factors motivate people. Still, you can’t ignore the excitement of getting money for maintaining a site. This can be very different from having a 9 to 5 job, but it still requires dedication and effort. Earning money from ads can help you become more motivated to maintain your site consistently. Plus, it can help you with daily expenses.
4. It helps you evaluate and employ useful ads for readers.
You can evaluate various monetization methods and learn which ones work and which ones don’t. Knowing which ads are relevant for your audience can actually help you “help” them. You might think those website ads are just there for you to monetize your site. But putting relevant ads can actually help your readers find the right product or service suited to their needs.
5. You can gain traction and have more monetization options.
Once you understand your audience and have grown your site’s traffic, you can have more monetization options. Aside from ad networks, you can also directly communicate with sponsors willing to pay for ad space on your site.
6. It helps you form relationships and builds a network.
Communicating with sponsors is one great way to form business relationships. With new contacts added to your book, you can build a meaningful network you can use in the future. Once businesses know that you are a great partner, you can instantly gain credibility. Although opening doors to new business relationships “might” not lead to being personal friends, you still don’t know what can happen in the future.
The Cons Of Having Ads On Your Website
1. You might annoy some readers.
A lot of people hate ads and placing them on your site might annoy readers. But there’s a way around this. If you place great content they can’t find elsewhere, your readers will put up with the ads. Besides, you won’t be placing ads that lead to malware. Your main goal is to satisfy your audience and helping them prevent malicious attacks by putting out a legitimate site is part of your job as the site’s owner.
Placing your ads strategically can help you monetize your site without being too much of a distraction. You can start placing ads during the early stages of the site as well. In this way, your readers get used to the ads once you get a massive loyal following. They won’t think you “sold your soul” just to earn money from your site. This may sound trivial, but there are people who have this mindset so it is best to be on the safe side.
2. You might bump into design problems.
If you wish to place ads on your site, you might have to design it in a strategic manner to avoid annoying your readers. This might be a hassle. However, you can get the help of a great designer who implements best practices. Also, once you get this problem off the list, you won’t have to think of it often. You might only need to design your site again if you want a major revamp, which rarely happens.
3. It might be hard to find your own voice or build your own brand.
People go to unique sites to get different opinions and perspectives on a subject matter. They want exclusive content that serves a purpose. When you put ads on your site, your audience might think your site is just there to make you money.
So, how do you fix this problem? Again, you have to put out great content that your readers will find useful. If you do this, your readers will understand that you’re not just there to bulk up your bank account. They’ll see you as someone willing to put in the time and effort to bring value to readers.
Putting It All Together
Putting ads on your website has both advantages and disadvantages. To be straightforward, it does help you earn money to maintain the site. But readers might get annoyed with these marketing materials. Fortunately, you can still turn things around by putting out great content and strategically placing your ads to avoid distraction. Thus, if you’re considering using ads on your site, think about how you can bring value to your readers, and you’re off to a great start.
