Online Marketing Experiment

We just recently ran into a problem when we began split testing landing pages using Adwords as part of our PPC testing.

Our landing page quality score started to drop to a score of “1”. As it happened we thought there was an issue with our landing page and the way we were split testing.

In addition we were using an I-frame on one of the pages and thought this was the issue since it incorporates hidden content.

Google does not like hidden content on a page.

As a result we started testing landing pages with no I-frame and no A/B split mechanism.

I even ran ads directly into the blog. The result was the same, the quality score dropped.

What it seems the problem was, (as we isolated variables) was affiliate links on the page which we were not cloaking.

Then yesterday I got an e-mail from Perry Marshall suggesting that Google was slapping landing pages with affiliate links.

Especially review style pages.

Is there a work around, yes there is. One is to build a list using an optin form with lots of good content on the page as opposed to linking out to an affiliate offer.

Create a thank you page with Google java script to see which keywords are converting and use those keywords on different PPC platforms such as Yahoo and MSN.

These keywords you can use for direct sales.

The fact is building a list is a good idea anyway because you build a customer base as opposed to trying to sell your visitors on the first visit.

I will keep you posted as we learn more.

Best Wishes
Paul

I quickly want to add something here. The keyword research I am doing relates at this point to getting to know the market as opposed to detailed keyword research. I will go into that in far more detail once we get to the PPC (Pay Per Click) marketing task.

At this stage I also want to point out that you can find lots of similar keywords when visiting forums and FAQ sections when doing your research. Here you may find keywords that you might not have thought of that could have significant commercial intention.

They may not be the same phrase as your initial keyword but they relate nonetheless.

Today people are far savvier when it comes to doing searches on the internet. In the past broad keywords were used far more frequently but as the internet evolves more and more folks are getting specific in their searches.

Generally speaking the more specific somebody is in their search the more they know what they want. When they know what they want they are generally looking to get it.

Search patterns suggest that as we begin our search with broad keywords such as golf, and then as we get more information we might proceed to learn more about the golf swing.

For example in my case while reading information relative to the golf swing I realize that my problem relative to the golf swing is that I tend to slice the ball.

Now my search changes to cure golf slice. Then as I get more information, I then start searching for “cure golf slice permanently”, because frankly I am sick of slicing the ball.

Now I am moving from keywords to phrases and at this point I am looking for a permanent solution that makes sense to me.

Now I want to find results. If somebody can provide some results of how to achieve this then I would naturally want their instruction.

This is merely an example, which we will look to examine in more detail later, however watch the way you search.

You may find as soon as you know what you want, you generally speaking want to get it sooner rather than later. The first place you find that connects the dots for you will likely be where you will invest in a product or service.

Also when searching, see how you yourself get more specific in your search when you know more about what you want. In other words do not take my word for it, watch your own search patterns, there is so much to be learnt from your own actions.

Let me add something else here at this point. All this is hot air until you test and experiment with it. Your own understanding has profoundly more significance when learning - over that of been told that something is so.

I will put this question here, and I quote;

“What is the difference between theory and practice?”

In theory there is no difference, however in practice there is.

If you have questions please leave a comment, if you think this info is helpful click one of the social buttons below to share it with others, that is if you think it is helpful.

Thanks
Paul