How to generate revenue from a site with general internet users (General directory)

[John D]

Hey,
I run a general web directory that gets a lot of non-specific net users if you know what I mean.

Most visitors on my site are searching for other sites (Just like the type of users that would use any search engine) and I want to think of other ways to diversify income from the site.

Right now my only income is directory submissions - I do well at this charging $4.95 for permanent submission and the directory is pretty large with over 12000 sites listed.

I also have a few text links but nothing that generates much income.

Now I want to come up with a way to generate money from the users that are on my site searching for something.

I am thinking of adding extra sections to my site and the next will be adding an entertainment section - An arcade, ring tone downloads, maybe SMS and a few other small things.

I am planning on developing it into more of a portal than just a directory but I want to make sure I am spending my time on features that will create an alternative revenue source.

I have a new design which is being coded for the directory and it does help make it into more of a portal which will make it a lot easier to integrate additional sections.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on what I should do to monetise my site in the best way possible?

Once I get some good ideas and have them implemented I am planning on advertising the site offline - So the more I can diversify it the better

Thanks

[a1whs.com]

Depends on what is your directory site looks like and its PR . Users would pay you only if you have high PR, otherwise it would be basically free submission , you could ask for reciprocal links or even put good text ads so by mistake they do click on it .

[hwang]

Paid-to-promote.com, they pay you for ad impression, not for clicks, so if you have huge traffic to your site, you will get good earnings.
I know people to click ads in your site is quite difficult.

[John D]

I'm charging for listings ($4.95) and its working well but still not getting enough.

I'm receiving 2000-3000 uniques/day now but I think my revenue could be a lot higher.

Adsense has been doing really bad for it this whole month..WAY down on my average.

[a1whs.com]

Originally Posted by hwang

Paid-to-promote.com, they pay you for ad impression, not for clicks, so if you have huge traffic to your site, you will get good earnings.
I know people to click ads in your site is quite difficult.

But are their ads laggy or slow to load like clicksor ads , do you have hands on experience or know any site running their ads for preview?

[John D]

Most networks that give a good CPM require at least 20000 uniques/day.

That's the ones I checked anyway.

[a1whs.com]

I think john such networks rely on alexa ranking also , some just look at alexa ranking and some look at unquies, but for me to get to 20000 uniques/day i would certainly would have to start a porn site . Cause the max. i ever got was 171 uniques per day , so a long way to go .

[John D]

Haha game/arcade sites get a lot of uniques too.

I have an interview with the owner of a large game site on webmasterforums

I doubt any would look at alexa, my directory is rated around 39k in alexa which is great but it doesn't seem right for the amount of uniques.

[hwang]

Originally Posted by a1whs.com

But are their ads laggy or slow to load like clicksor ads , do you have hands on experience or know any site running their ads for preview?

You are right, are quite slow, but you can make a good revenue with them if you have good traffic.
PayPopup.com is another good CPM for opening popups in your site, you get paid for traffic anyway, if your visitor has pop-up window blocker.

[shyampc]

Applying for Google Adsense program and after you're being sanctioned an account, place a google search box on your website. This is a great way for income while your visitor leaves the site.