Should You Put Ads On Your Blog?
Image via WikipediaThose of you who’ve followed my blogging path for a while now will be aware that I struggled with this question for a while. It’s a “no brainer” for bloggers who begin their blogging journey with the intent for making money.
For a “personal blogger”, it seems to be a much more difficult question. Opinion is quite heavily divided as to whether or not it is okay for a personal blogger to make money from their blog.
I was so concerned about my readers reaction to ads on my blog that I asked for their opinion. That turned out to be a mistake on my behalf. Not because I don’t value my reader’s opinions but because I do.
You see, while most of my readers were happy enough for me to earn some kind of income (albeit a small one) for the time investment I put into blogging, a few were very vocal in their objection.
For me to then proceed with placing ads on my blog was like I was saying to them “I asked for your opinion and now I’m ignoring it”. 
I don’t want any of my readers to feel ignored, even if they do happen to be in the minority. So I’d placed myself in a rather precarious position.
I did eventually put some advertising on my blog and so far the sky doesn’t seem to have fallen in, nor does my readership seem to have dropped.
But I’ve learnt a few valuable lessons through this experience:
1. Don’t ask a question unless you are prepared for the answer
As a parent and a child-care worker, this one should have been obvious to me. You don’t ask a child a yes/no question if you’re not prepared for the answer to be no. Turns out you should employ the same wisdom with all question asking.
2. It’s your blog so you get to make the decision
If you want to use some of your blog space for promoting other people’s products, go ahead and do so. One of the greatest things about blogging is the freedom to be yourself and do what YOU want. If you’re happy endorsing other people’s products, go for it.
3. Trust Your Readers
They’ve come to your blog because of YOU. It’s unlikely that a few ads are going to scare them away.
4. Trust Yourself
I was concerned that my readers would automatically assume I was only blogging for the money if I put ads on my blog. I know that isn’t the case. What I failed to do was trust myself that my true motives would show through regardless.
5. Not All Bloggers Who Make Money are Shifty
Sadly, some “make money online” people resort to underhanded tactics in order to do so. I guess where money is involved, you’ll always get a few that want to get their hands on it, no matter what. BUT, Problogger himself appears to be a very decent guy, so why I was worried that making a few dollars through blogging was going to “lump me in with the bad guys” is beyond me.
6. Start Sooner Rather Than Later
I think it’s easier to have at least a small advertisement somewhere on your blog from the early stages. Readers quickly come to accept that advertising is part of what you do. It doesn’t even have to be a paid ad. In fact, it might be better if it isn’t at the beginning. It can then be replaced with paid advertising once your blog is a little more established.
7. Take Things Slowly
If you’re introducing ads for the first time to your blog, be careful not to plaster them all over the place. I don’t *think* I’ve overdone the advertising thing (yet) but I wanted to include this one. There is nothing worse than a blog that is so plastered with ads, it’s hard to find the content. 
Personally, I don’t find a blog with zero ads any more appealing than one with a few carefully chosen and placed ads. In fact, I think some ads contribute quite positively to the overall appearance of a blog. But that’s just my opinion. What do you think?
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Comments
Was that an ad showing in the Rubicon Project screen? They vary so much. I haven’t seen that one. Could well be an ad for you but not something in my control. 
I get paid per click (mostly - it does vary) on those ads. No commission.
It’s a bit early for me to have a definite opinion on The Rubicon Project although I’m planning to write a post about my experiences so far soon. I’ve started one on the blogher ads I use on Lightening Online but they’re currently closed to new publishers so I’m waiting until they re-open. There’s nothing more frustrating than reading about something and being interested, only to discover you can’t go ahead with it.
I use google adsense a little bit (on my smaller sites) but have a few reservations about them (which I also intend to blog about).
Ads which flicker and flash are extremely irritating to my sight. It’s a migraine issue. I click away from those sites as fast as I can. and never go back.
I recently put ads on my site too, I like the service that I’m using because there is very little pressure and I control pretty much everything - which I like a lot.
I didn’t ask my readers but I did tell them about the fact that the ads were now there and to a very small degree why (I think it was a single sentence at the end of one of my posts).
No one said anything about it and at least a few people have clicked on the ads which I think is really great because they are helping me make my 5c a day!!
I hate blogs that are only about the money and never feature any other content. I write my content and some people like reading it, I don’t think it is too much to forgive two 125×125 squares on the site advertising someone who thinks my site is valuable enough to advertise on.
River - I have to wonder whether flickering ads are really all that effective given how off-putting they can be. I know occasionally I have a blogher ad that has motion - I hope you haven’t found that a problem (let me know if you do).
Lee - 5c a day? You’re in the money man!!! Yeah, we all gotta start somewhere. I only know my monthly figures not my daily ones. Some of the comic sites would likely be interested in advertising on your blog. It seems they’re becoming bigger and bigger (online comic sites). Something to think about.
I am a graphic designer for over 20 years. Advertising makes the world go round. There would not be free TV or radio without it. I find no problem with you posting ads on a blog. Especially, if those ads are relevant.
A little motion in an ad probably wouldn’t bother me. It’s the ones that are large and flash like a light is being flicked on and off sometimes with changing colours. Those ones are bothersome. A little widget thing like a tiny dog that barks and/or runs or a bird that chirps like I’ve seen on another blog, those things are fine. small enough to enjoy or ignore.
i don’t really look at the ads of the blogs that I read. For now, the post itself and the entrecard widgets, are the ones that get my attention.
But hey, this is your blog. I wouldn’t mind the ads as long as you keep on writing very good posts. It would even be great for you as a blogger. At least to defray some of the blogging expenses.
So many blogs have ads and I only object to them if they dominate the page or if the author is obviously writing just for the sake of making money without regard to the subject matter.
If a blog is interesting its author is interested enough in the topic and keen on blogging for its own sake, then the ads make no difference to me. This applies to you. Truth be told if they are not plastered all over the page I do not notice them.
I don’t like blogs that are full of ads but I don’t have a problem with less ‘in your face’ ones. I recently added ads to my site, but only a couple. It would be nice if your ads could cover hosting costs as a minimum. They would keep me happy.
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Is the cheap tickets ad for me- Sydney Vancouver cheaper than what I saw yesterday- you may get a commission- have book marked it. yes I am going to be going. How do you find Rubicon?
Know how you feel, I have avoided the ads- especially google ad words and now realise I have left a lot of money on the table. This is a well thought outpost, thanks for sharing your thoughts
Suzie