Does Monetization put Readers off?
There is a fine line between monetizing your site, and taking things to an extreme. If you are going to look into monetization methods, you need to make sure that this does not negatively affect the way that readers perceive and read your blog. In other words, if your revenue streams are getting in the way, you may be doing yourself a disservice in the long run.
I have found that monetizing a blog too early is one of the number one ways to put readers off. Day in and day out I come across blogs that have a couple of posts, but advertisements all over the front page. What does this tell me? Simply put, it tells me that the person is more interested in making money with their blog than providing good, quality content.
I am of the opinion that monetizing a blog, if done at the right time, will not put readers off as long as it is done appropriately. As mentioned above, this means that your revenue streams should not interfere with the navigation or overall look of your blog. While it is impossible to monetize a blog without changing its look, you need to make this transaction as seamless as possible. Upon arriving at your blog, you want readers to notice your content first and everything else after that. If your ads are sticking out all over the place, you are going to have a difficult time retaining and attracting new members.
Also, keep in mind that monetization is not a vague, generalized term. There are so many ways to set up revenue streams that you are sure to have your hands full. As you can imagine, the monetization methods that you choose will have a lot to do with the way that your site looks, and also the way that readers will react. If you have a blog with steady traffic and comments, your visitors will be sure to let you know if you have done something wrong.
The key to monetization is making sure that your blog is ready. When you feel that the time is right, make sure that you choose the best ways to make money, and that you never turn readers off by overcrowding.Â
