Around the TE world, I know that you have heard many, many reasons why a person joins a site and thought I’d share some of the things that I have heard on how people are judging a traffic exchange. Why did you click that join button?
Design
This is one that I hear from most that you have to have a fancy expensive design or people are not going to join – a fancy design will get them to join.
Owner/Admin
Well this is one that personally I feel that will make or break a site. If the owner is never around to keep the site running smoothly, approving sites, and answering support tickets – that makes me wonder why the site exists.
Traffic/Exposure
This one I have heard a lot about – quality vs quantity and I find this interesting as there are so many different points of view on this one. Personally, if you track what you are doing you will see where your results are coming from.
Referrals
Do you get any signups from this site – and do you if you are – you have to be tracking to know for sure. Some sites have a mod that will tell you where your referrals came from, do you know? When you win referrals, are you getting active referrals or just some number in the system just so they can say they gave you a free referral.
Cash/earning potential
This one of the most talked about and where you like it or not, personally I feel cash is here to stay. Now the key is how do you get that cash and what is the earning potential of the site. Does the site pay free members, do you have to be upgraded, is there a certain amount to reach to be paid AND does the owner pay
Activity of the Site
Thought this one was interesting when listening in some of the chat rooms – this could include timers. promos, team surfing, chat – sometimes you learn alot from just lurking and listen to what others are saying. What do you consider an active site.
Promotion/Advertising
Does the site give you plenty of options for promoting your referral url or just have the basics – main url, 1 splash, 1 banner? Do you see the site you just joined being promoted by others? Can you brand yourself with this site? What is this site doing to help me?
Themes/Ad Copy
Personally, I feel that your advertising on each site should be geared toward the viewers of a particular site and with a little imagination a great page that will convert could be made. AND how about the same generic ad copy on the main page – this is one of the most over-looked areas – with all the sites out there tell me WHY I need to click that join button.
Well I can see that I could go on and on here and please as you leave comments I’d like to hear from you on your thoughts on judging a traffic exchange.
You have hit on some of the most important areas as to why I push or don’t push the “join now” button. Probably the most important, to me, is the owner. Is the owner someone I know? Does this owner pay? How many traffic exchanges does this person own? Is this owner going to work hard to build this site or will they launch a new site next month? Is the owner reachable? How does the owner treat their members?
Thanks for giving us some things to think about before joining.
(Adorable Kitty Picture)
Thanks Cathy and yes you are right – I would have to say should be high up on the list of things to consider and thanks for adding all those questions as that is what I was hoping to get from this post and glad you like the kitty pictures
Since I don’t join TEs it’s hard for me to “judge” but before someone clicks a join button I would say Design and earning potential. Or if somebody wants traffic to their site, if they think this will do it for them. Everything else, Admin, Owner, Activity, Referals are things you find out when you are in and discover the site and be active for a while. And for a real newbie to the internet they probably don’t even understand some of these terms. But that’s only the view from an outsider, i could be wrong
Thanks Xarah and this don’t have to only be geared to TE’s and can be with any site. Thanks for the comment
I join sites for a variety of reasons. In no particular order, the reasons are: good signup bonus; request of a friend; interesting initial advertising; a new script that I have not seen; a promo that I just can’t turn down; previous experience with the owner. More importantly, in my humble opinion, is what experience I have shortly after joining. An interested and active admin (like you, Nancy) is the most crucial aspect for me. Keep up the great work and you will always have my respect and attention. I sincerely appreciate the difference.
Thanks Rick and you did hit on a few other reasons – yes a good signup bonus is nice and word of mouth is by far the best. Thanks for adding the comments and thanks for being a great member.
Hi Nancy,
I really like the points that you made and they are so very true. I surf at Zaney because it has all those features and so much more……WTG! keep up the great work!!
Those kitty pictures are very adorable too, and making the member smile or laugh really helps the site in many ways……you want to come back and surf or advertise there because you had an enjoyable experience and others will feel the same.
Thanks Patty and glad you like the kitty pictures
Hi Nancy,
Very nice blog.I join TE’s because of the owner,because a good friend says it does what they advertise and I join because Its a clean site and not cluttered.
Thanks Don and glad that you left the comment – yes word of mouth is probably the best
Hey Nancy,
What captures my attention when thinking about joining a TE is the design or if someone has given it a high recommendation. Once inside the TE is where you will decide if you want to be a regular surfer there. For example.. after joining Zaney Clicks I was amazed at how well the members are treated and your generosity is outstanding. I also love the kitties, as Patty said.. they make you smile and feel good. Zaney Clicks is an awesome TE and it comes highly recommended in my books:)
Thanks Lorraine and yes by far word of mouth is the best and thanks for being a member of Zaney Clicks
Hi Nancy.
Very helpful post for so many, I am sure.
For me it is the appearance of a TE and second, does the Owner show his
Face on the Home page. I never join anything, unless they give their contact information.
Then of course comes the support issue, are they there for their members?
And yes do they pay? ( tho I surf more for credits than cash) But it is
important to many of our members.
So if it works for me as a TE Owner, it will for our members, in the event
we want to do a promotion with them.
Great Job. and thanks
Monika
P.S your Kitten is adorable
Thanks Monika for stopping by and yes all good pointers for everyone to watch for. People just have to test things sometimes for themselves and glad you like the kittens