Advertising, Y or N?
A few late night notes re advertising on blogs. I promise to post more on this at a later date.
Is it ok for a "business blog" - like this one - to carry advertising (defined as anything from Google AdSense to graphic banners etc)? Btw, I use the term business blog to describe a blog that is tied to a business, not a personal blog covering misc businness matters. Make sense? Ok!
So, is it?
Some would argue that it's unprofessional, or that it obescures the brand message. My view is... it depends. Sticking AdSense links in the middle of your content is plain bad. It provides a lousy user experience and it looks cheap/greedy (take your pick). Putting them over in one of the side columns or in the header/footer is fine.
When it comes to banner ads there's only one way to do it. Small and tucked away where it doesn't obscure the content or hinder the functionality/usability. Like the little "ad" in the top right hand corner on this page.
That little "ad" brings up another aspect of this topic. The only way I get paid for displaying that Backpack gif is if one of you brilliant people sign up for Backpack. But even if I wouldn't get a single cent, I would still display it. Why? Because I love Backpack.
And here's why I think that minimal, selective "advertising" whether it's paid for, or just based on love/passion, is a good thing. When done well, it says as much about the blogger as their posts do.
Another take on this is The Deck, created by A List Apart, 37signals, Daring Fireball and Coudal Partners. "Vetted" advertisers (read more at The Deck) get published on high quality blogs. Very pure, very smart.
What's next? The people over at 9rules have something lined up. Not sure what. But I've got a feeling that it will move this "debate" forward, and I'm pretty sure it will be more revolution than evolution.
Is it ok for a "business blog" - like this one - to carry advertising (defined as anything from Google AdSense to graphic banners etc)? Btw, I use the term business blog to describe a blog that is tied to a business, not a personal blog covering misc businness matters. Make sense? Ok!
So, is it?
Some would argue that it's unprofessional, or that it obescures the brand message. My view is... it depends. Sticking AdSense links in the middle of your content is plain bad. It provides a lousy user experience and it looks cheap/greedy (take your pick). Putting them over in one of the side columns or in the header/footer is fine.
When it comes to banner ads there's only one way to do it. Small and tucked away where it doesn't obscure the content or hinder the functionality/usability. Like the little "ad" in the top right hand corner on this page.
That little "ad" brings up another aspect of this topic. The only way I get paid for displaying that Backpack gif is if one of you brilliant people sign up for Backpack. But even if I wouldn't get a single cent, I would still display it. Why? Because I love Backpack.
And here's why I think that minimal, selective "advertising" whether it's paid for, or just based on love/passion, is a good thing. When done well, it says as much about the blogger as their posts do.
Another take on this is The Deck, created by A List Apart, 37signals, Daring Fireball and Coudal Partners. "Vetted" advertisers (read more at The Deck) get published on high quality blogs. Very pure, very smart.
What's next? The people over at 9rules have something lined up. Not sure what. But I've got a feeling that it will move this "debate" forward, and I'm pretty sure it will be more revolution than evolution.
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