Advice for Bingo Virgin

chrisuk · 06-03-08

I am putting together a bingo comparison site as a new project, never done it before so what is the best kind of model for traffic and monetisation.

Should I use ppc for bingo gaming terms on say YSM then link to my offer pages, are there other good places for this kind of traffic. With regard to offers which is the most reliable network and would taking say lifetime revshares that kind of thing be the best route to monetise, or say a cpa/revshare hybrid. What is the best way to track the conversions when sending visitors on to external gaming sites.

What kind of earnings potential is there if you put the time in.

So many questions...

Cheers
Chris

Luke · 06-03-08

Hi Chris

I would look for good hybrid offerings, as in CPA and Rev Share (oh look that's what we do!) - is that a 100% net revenue share offer until March 31st in my signature?!

I am sure Aspirin or Loquax could help you here with great advice as they are very successful bingo affiliates, but one of the key pointers to succeeding as a bingo affiliate is to get under the skin of the players, one way many successful bingo affiliates do this is by doing as much as they can to build loyalty to their bingo site through hot bingo news, offers, honest reviews of places to play bingo. The best way to keep reminding them you exist is through a newsletter, our top affiliates have a loyal bingo newsletter following. Make it personal and different and they will read your newsletter and take up your recommendations - from that point you can start to build a more than healthy revenue stream.

Of course the other important side is player acquisition, our affiliates do this through PPC, media buying and SEO while others already have a captive audience that just happens to be the right demographic. I can't tell you how they do it (I could probably help you with PPC if you MSN me), but I know some of them are getting great levels of traffic and are doing very well by it, so it is possible if you work at it!

If you need any help along the way sign up to our programme and I am always available on messenger or by email, visit http://www.gamevillage.com/partners/contactUs.html for that info.

Otherwise best of luck with the new site!

Luke

PythonPhil · 06-03-08

Traffic: First off do you know anything about backing PPC traffic into CPA campaigns? If you don't have a good background in PPC, bidding in the Bingo market can get pricey. So that may be one of the first things you ask yourself. It is definately something you will want to get into.. there question is just if you need some practice first or not

With your type of site link exchanging is very popular. Just becareful who you swap links with or you could wind up hurting your google rankings.

As for commision structure. Straight CPA or straight rev share depends on the program. If you are running a crappy program that doesn't retain it's members take advantage of a flat CPA payout :P. Alternative if the program has great retention and the members keep comming back and betting go for a Rev share as you'll make more in the long run.

My suggestion with starting out. Go with a flat CPA and then ask your affiliate manager for retention reports on the joins you are sending. They will be able to tell you if you would make more with a CPA, CPA+Rev Share or Rev Share. If they aren't willing to help you out with that... go to another program because that's a ****ty account manager. Because after all.. Affiliate programs rely on happy affiliates

An affiliate that's making money.. is making the program money. It's just unfortunately alot of companies don't look at it that way lol.

chrisuk · 07-03-08

I have done a little cpa but have mainly been a cpc affiliate over the years. Not sure how you can make much money with £15cpa though given the price of bingo clicks although I can see how you make more money further down the line with the revshare.

A new site starting from scratch really only has ppc as a viable option yes, you can strike off Adwords cause they don't allow the ads so you have Adcenter and YSM left as a source and maybe the tier 2 ppcs if you can get them to convert, then perhaps some social networks to try.

I'd be better finding high cpa deals to begin with to help identify profitable keywords perhaps, how do affiliates track the keyword conversions when the transaction takes place on the merchants site with Bingo.