[mozza]

So far with my experience with forums, it seems like it's really hard to make good money from AS with forums.

The users are mostly repeat visitors so they are so used to the ads, it's hard for them to click the ads.

What do you think>?

[Ajay]

I think so too.. I have realized that if the forum is active people are too busy browsing and participating to even think twice about clicking on ads.

[robert]

Forums have always been a loosing venture in general. By the last count, I believe over 90% of forums never turn a dime and more so, the vast majority of them are very expensive to run. In terms of Google, there is no difference, the average click rate is very low, ranging from 0.01% to 0.1% if you are lucky but all and all, the ads look pretty :)

[Ajay]

Originally Posted by robert

Forums have always been a loosing venture in general. By the last count, I believe over 90% of forums never turn a dime and more so, the vast majority of them are very expensive to run. In terms of Google, there is no difference, the average click rate is very low, ranging from 0.01% to 0.1% if you are lucky but all and all, the ads look pretty :)

So the important question, if you don't mind me asking....

The purpose of Precharge forums. :)

[robert]

Well, the banner pays for about 2% of the cost to run the forum :)

But seriously, the top banner is just filler and the thread banner is given away to users for free, just something special to our members. In the upcoming design, we will also be giving away the top banner to top users as well.

[Ajay]

Originally Posted by robert

In the upcoming design, we will also be giving away the top banner to top users as well.

Even better for us :)

[ScottHughes]

I usually use forums to promote a site. I implant the forum as a feature to a profitable site. For example, if I had a website about flowers making profits, I might add a forum about flowers, to get people coming to my website.

[Dana]

Adding adsense ads to forums is a good thing but generally people don't see the ads as clearly as on a regular website. I'm glad this forum isn't overrun with advertisements. This really is a community based forum, not a forum designed to line someone's pockets. I also know that other forums share their adsense revenue with the posters. This is the only one I'm aware of that gives the member 100% of the Adsense revenue.
Go preCharge!
(my slightly biased opinion, lol)

[Tucker]

I'm also glad that preCharge isn't overrun with ads.

Perhaps, a way to increase CTRs on a forum is to routinely change the ad placement. You could modify the theme a few times, but save each one, and then rotate every week or two. This would probably increase CTRs, but might annoy regular visitors.