Thread: Too many links to free software & tools?

Hello,

My Internet security website has lots of links to free anti-virus software, etc. Recently I installed StatCounter on my website and discovered that a good percentage of my visitors leave my website through one of my links for free tools/software. Traffic that leaves my website through Google Adsense and my affiliates is virtually nil. I was thinking perhaps I should reccomend more Internet security software with free trials, that I am an affiliate of. I was even thinking of totally revising my web site and start reccomending Internet security software that I use and doesn't necessarily have a free trial. I of course would be an affiliate of this software. Since I own this software, I could write a honest review of the product with an affiliate link? Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Chris H.

Hi Chris,

Do your links open in new windows? This would prevent people from leaving your site, though some frown on the technique.

No, they do not open in new windows. That is a good suggestion though. I might have to try that out.

Chris H.

This is a time to think carefully about the situation from the point of view of your readers.

In my opinion it is more important that any links to other free sites or whatever are really excellent or helpful sites. If they are your readers will come back to you as a trusted site. If not....

Another thing to think about is this. If too many of your links are to affiliate sales info how do you think that will affect the readers? It may get them to look at one sales site, but will it lead them to trust and return to your site? Or will they think you are just leading them on to a sale somewhere?

Finally, I would note that one thing I am working on is to have quite a few links in my site that go to additional information that is also on my site. If you lead people from page to page on your own site they will be exposed to more adsense ads for example.

Thanks for the good and thoughtful advice James. That is a good idea to have links that go to additional information on your site. I was just thinking the other day that is something I definately have to do. I do have a few pages that do give links to additional information on the topic of a particular page - I have noticed on those pages people quite often will go on to visit one or more of the pages that I have liks too. I imagine if I do this on even more of my pages it will increase the number of page views even more. Besides being good for exposing people to more Adsense, I think it also encourages repeat visitors, as they get some value out of your site. I like your advice a lot more than someone else I know who builds websites and blogs, who suggested taking out all the non affiliate links that people are clicking on. I am however going to take your advice and review all my links to ensure that they are indeed excellent web sites. I know years ago when I had another web site up and running, I had found out that one of the websites that I was linking too had been sold and turned into a link farm, with a bunch of spam. So it probably is a good idea to check your links periodically. Thanks again James. Take care

Chris H.