As a new blogger, one of the things that I had to learn was what ad network would suit my needs. Through my research, I have managed to find some of the best ad networks for new bloggers.
Google Adsense, Mediavine, and Revenue Hits are three of the best ad networks for new bloggers to use to boost their traffic. They’re easy to join and easy to use which is what new bloggers are looking for when they are just starting out and trying to build an audience for their work.
Now, one of the key things you must accomplish is figuring out which one out of these three do you want to work with when launching your blog. They all have their pros and their cons, and it really depends on what you are looking for and what you hope to gain from your blog.
Google Adsense
During my time researching ad networks, Google Adsense was one name that kept popping up everywhere I went. It was usually at the top of the list and people raved about it. What makes Google Adsense stand out from the competition?
PROS
- The site is easy to join and user-friendly. There is no waiting period or a host of background information that is required from you to join this network. You sign up and are either approved or denied, but once you get that approval you can begin advertising your blog.
- Another star for Google Adsense is that it does not require a minimum number of page views. When you are just starting out as a blogger, the last thing you want to be worried about is hitting enough views because you don’t want to be locked out of your account and must move on to someplace else.
- Google provides a plug-in that you can link to your WordPress page, making it easier to access and saves you lots of time, so that you’re not constantly jumping from one page to the other.
CONS
- 100 minimum payment. This may not sound like a complete con, but I know when I was first starting out and desperate for money, I would have liked that $20 that I earned right off the bat instead of waiting, hoping, and praying to meet that $100 minimum soon.
- Payments are made once a month automatically if you meet the above minimum. If you don’t meet that minimum, even if you are just a hair shy of it then that means you must wait for the next automatic payout date that falls on the 21st of each month.
- Then there are the rules. When working with Google Adsense, you must follow the rules meticulously because you do not want to get your account locked for being negligent. This is one of the bigger cons of Google Adsense because the rules are sensitive and easy to break, so you may break a rule without meaning to or realizing what you did and then you’re booted out.
Mediavine
Another big name that popped up when I was just starting off as a blogger was Mediavine. This company has been in the advertising game since 2004, so that gives a blogger some breathing room because you know that you are dealing with a site that has been around the block a few times.
PROS
- A big pro for this site is that there are no ad overloads. Nothing is more annoying than having unnecessary ads popping up and slowing down your site. They only create necessary ads.
- Their customer service is on-point. It helps to have someone to answer any and all questions that you may have about the site. When first starting out it is great to have that support system when using a site that you are not familiar.
- They offer SEO tools and tips to help you navigate the world of advertising so that you can steer your blog in the right direction.
CONS
- Unlike Google Adsense. Mediavine dies have a page quota that they expect you to meet. You must have 30,000 page views a month to keep with Mediavine and that may feel like a tall order when you are just starting out and haven’t totally found a niche yet. Don’t let this number discourage you though, use it to push yourself.
- The minimum payout amount is slightly lower than Google Adsense at $75, but the wait time between payouts is longer. Instead of once a month, it is every 75 days, so I wouldn’t rely on this source of income when first starting out.
- Must make sure that you are writing blogs that are at least 1000 words long if you want to see any return for the work that you are putting in.
Revenue Hits
Lastly, I’m going to discuss Revenue Hits and what they bring to the table. As its name suggests, this site’s goal is to get you earning as much as possible, as quick as possible and with little effort on your part.
PROS
- Signup is free and approval is immediate, there is no monthly fee that you must pay before you can get started, so once you’re ready to start advertising you can hit the ground running.
- Choose your own Payment Method. They give you a choice out of three for which way you want to withdraw your money, either through PayPal, Payoneer or wire transfer. Pay is automatic once you hit their minimum.
CONS
- Unlike most advertising sites, Revenue Hits does not pay-per-impression but through customer time. A customer must stay on your page for a certain amount of time before you are paid, they just can’t click in and click out, so you must make sure that your content is engaging.
- The revenue system for this site can be confusing, so I wouldn’t rely too much on this one if you are trying to generate a viable income. This site can be used to get your blog or brand out there so that you can build a reading base.
- They do not have video ads, which can be a con if you are looking to advertise more than just your words but a brand or image.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you must choose the best ad network for your own personal needs. Google Adsense, Mediavine and Revenue Hits are great jumping off points to get you started because they are beginner-friendly.
If you are just starting out and do not know which one to test, I would go for the one that does not have costs any money to get started with, or at least the less amount and that does not have a long waiting period before you find out whether you are approved or not. If you are not sure which one you want to try out, go for the basics that will require too much time and effort on your part so that you can use that time to figure things out.
