I’m not saying the information that these Adsense Secrets websites provide is a scam. On the contrary some of the info is downright useful. I am referring to the design of these sites. I usually take one look at these sites and think “snake oil” or “used car salesmen”.
Most of these sites are written for search engines and not you the reader. Here lies the epic fail as they are trying to convert you to actually buy. Nobody likes a bloated speech and these sites are the internet’s equivalent to a fast talking crook out to get your money. Sure all that text and keyword stuffing will lead people searching online to the water but will they drink? Probably not.
Recently ProBlogger recommends Joel Comm’s Adsense Secrets 4.0. I normally don’t even go to such sites as all the adsense info you need is already available for free all over the internet. So why pay for it? ProBlogger recommends it? Shady? Maybe. I checked out the site anyways and once again “scam design” at work.
There are two reasons why I would be weary of such sites is the fact they have outrageous claims, like this:
From just $30 per day, I had ‘Shot Up’ To $500 PER DAY with just a few tiny changes the majority of AdSense users didn’t even know about. I looked at my first 5+ figure check of $11,823.65 and thought I must be dreaming!
Also, If it’s so easy to make a butt load of cash from adsense, then why is Joel peddling this piddly ebook?
Now I’m sure Joel has good content about the inner workings of adsense but the fact is you need serious traffic to make major adsense bucks. So if Joel has info on generating huge traffic I’m all ears!
So “scam design” as I call it is a one page sales pitch that steals from late night TV. But wait there’s more! These sites all have the same characteristics.
- Outrageous claims
- User testimonials
- Repeating the same info over again
- So much text you go cross eyed
- Text is center justified
- Designed like it’s 1994
Joel Comm’s adsense site could use a little face lift. Firstly, the header is great, simple, to the point. What lies beneath how ever is a mess of text. This site should be Broken up into 4 pages.
- Homepage
- Info and a real excerpt from the book
- Testimonials
- Purchase page
The homepage should consist of the header, a brief explanation of the ebook with a learn more link to the info page, a buy it now link to the purchase page and a testimonial link to user testimonials.
What can bloggers learn from this “scam design”? The amount of text vs. keywords are important when writing blog posts, as well as, the actual keywords themselves. If people can’t find a way to get to the info they are looking for then they get frustrated and leave. Place your categories list and search form at the top of the page for easy access. Use “read more” effectively. Always paraphrase the post in the first paragraph so readers can decide if they want to “read more”. Use read more for anything over two paragraphs in length. A homepage is where readers want to see all you have to offer without having to scroll down forever.
Jakob Nielsen the king of webpage usability gives these top ten tips for homepage useability:
Make the Site’s Purpose Clear: Explain Who You Are and What You Do
- Include a One-Sentence Tagline
- Write a Window Title with Good Visibility in Search Engines and Bookmark Lists
- Group all Corporate Information in One Distinct Area
Help Users Find What They Need
- Emphasize the Site’s Top High-Priority Tasks
- Include a Search Input Box
- Reveal Site Content
Show Examples of Real Site Content
- Begin Link Names with the Most Important Keyword
- Offer Easy Access to Recent Homepage Features
Use Visual Design to Enhance, not Define, Interaction Design
- Don’t Over-Format Critical Content, Such as Navigation Areas
- Use Meaningful Graphics
Remember these tips: A reader should be able to see at least three of your blogs titles above the fold. Also paraphrasing the blog posts in the first paragraph works well for RSS feeds because people can get a synopsis of what’s to come and encourages them to click and read more.
