Top Pay-per-Click Programs

Value Click

Overall rating: #1

Overview:
ValueClick an easy way for you to set up banner advertisements on your web site without having to seek individual advertisers. By becoming a member site, ValueClick will provide you with HTML code to insert into your web pages. You will be paid based on the number of click-throughs your site generates.

Advantages:
ValueClick is a very easy way for you to start carrying ads on your web pages. ValueClick sends you the HTML to insert into as many pages as you choose. You do not need to carry the graphic for the banner on your site, and therefore, bandwidth consumption will not be adversely effected.

ValueClick also gives you the advantage of allowing you to choose which ads from their pool of advertisers to run. This is as simple as clicking which you would like to use from the affiliate control panel. This tools gives you the ability to block potential competitors that may be advertising with ValueClick, or block advertisers that you think are inappropriate for your audience. They even include a single check box you can select which allows you to block any gambling, alcohol, or tobacco related ads.

ValueClick also offers a referral program which will pay you based on the number of click-throughs sites you refer generate (see below).

Disadvantages:
As with all click-through programs, it will require many visitors to turn a high profit. Very low traffic sites may require several months before receiving their first check (which is sent out when you have accumulated $30 worth of commissions). Assuming you have reached the minimum, checks are now issued bi-weekly (every two weeks).

What you can make:
For most affiliates, you will be paid $0.12 for each click-through your site generates. If your site is large enough to provide over 1000 click-throughs per month (in which case other advertising possibilities may suit you even better), you receive a variety of other benefits including a payout of up to $0.25 per click. 

As an example, if your site generates 10 click-throughs per day (300/month), you will receive $0.12 per click-though.  This results in a monthly income of $36.  A site generating 33 click-throughs per day (1000/month) would receive $0.15 per click, resulting in a monthly income of $150.  10,000 clicks a month, earns you a very respectable $0.17 per click, but few sites will have this type of ad inventory to serve.

Given low click-through ratios however, a large traffic base will be necessary to reach these numbers. For example, if you estimate a 1% click-through ratio, you would need approximately 5000 ad views per day to reach $225 in monthly earnings. Some very high traffic sites have reported monthly incomes in 5 digits (over $10,000 per month). ValueClick is also well know to pay all member sites like clock work.

ValueClick also offers a limited two-tier program that pays you $0.01 for each click a new affiliate you refer generates, in addition to whatever you earn on a per click basis.

Strategy:
ValueClick offers a good opportunity for webmasters to generate income from web space that currently is unsold.  It will work best with high-content, high-traffic sites that target a general audience.

Next Step:
Visit the Value Click web site for more information, pricing model tables, and the sign up form.

Click on this sample ValueClick Ad to see how it works: