Spotting Bad Traffic Exchanges Part 4: Who isnt using it?
This is the last of the series on spotting bad traffic exchanges that have to do with before joining an exchange. After this I’ll begin looking at things to look for after joining. Today’s topic is especially easy for newbies to use, simply put – who isn’t using it? Chances are the following people or services have come across the exchange, and if they aren’t using it.. There is probably a reason why!
Traffic Exchange Rankings
Ranking websites are the most controversial, because nobody can agree on how to rank an exchange. But if you look at them collectively, and they all aren’t using an exchange, well here we go again red flag! Don’t get me wrong, there may be exchanges out there that are great and aren’t listed, but the majority are. So if you are new to all of this, it’s an easy indicator. Also note how well the exchange is ranked. Yeah, it could be ranked.. But if it’s ranked poorly use caution!
Traffic Exchange Forums
Another thing to check out is traffic exchange forums. Use the search function, and search for the exchange’s name. Instantly you can get some community feedback on the exchange! No mentions? First check that you spelt the name correctly! Many spell StartXchange with an E before the X. I always load up the exchange’s home page and see how the owner spells it (even down to the caps and spacing). Then do a search. Still nothing? Can we say red flag..?
Traffic Exchange News
Next, checking various traffic exchange news sites is an easy way to find both the good and bad about an exchange. Going back to the history here, you might be able to dig up some bad news about an exchange. If you seem to get only negative news, or no news, say it with me now: red flag. 
If the site doesn’t have a search feature, an easy way to do it is by going to Google and typing “site:newssite.com exchangename”.
Why it all matters
Really the key here is an exchange is only successful if people are using it. Otherwise you’ve got nobody to see your site, right? So before getting too involved in a traffic exchange you should do some checking up on how it’s being used (or not) by others in the industry. You don’t want to be spending your money buying traffic, or your time surfing, on an exchange that’s gone bad.
I don’t want to hear it! Just communicate already!
If you are wondering why in the world your exchange isn’t being ranked, isn’t making the news, and isn’t being discussed.. Start the discussion! (or if it’s getting negative publicity – join the discussion and defend your brand!) Part of running a good exchange is being pro active. You can’t sit around and wait for people to notice you! Find out who the leaders in the industry are, and send them friendly notes. Get active in the forums, and comment on the blogs. Create news and be the news.
PS. Making it easy.. If you were ever not sure about an exchange, try using the Traffic Exchange Search! It will search most, if not all, resources regarding the traffic exchange industry. It’s a quick and easy way to find out the scoop on an exchange before joining!
Can a traffic exchange get too good? If these rankings show *the best* and then more people are going there, and then more pages are being shown and yet more of the same pages because so much is the same thing just different promoter. Also, if a new person shows up and it takes them 200 views of other websites before coming to mine, they may have found 10 things that they liked and signed up for them and now are to busy to do anything else and I just missed out.
Not saying any of that is true, just thinking is it a possibility.
Dan
Tim, I have a question concearning you blog topic “Spotting Bad Traffic Exchanges”
The 1st one I signed up for I must have surfed over 17,000 pages & never once did I see my website in the rotation. There were a handfull that came up over & over but never once did I see mine. I’d check my counter on the site & it just didn’t jive with how many hits they told me I had received each day. How do I know who’s lieing? My counter or the traffic exchange? This was rated high in some people opinions. How does this sound to you? A waste of time? So far this whole interenet has been a waste of time as I never see any real results. are most of the people on the internet actors? They jsut act like their making money? Is there nay honest on the web?
I think the comments on this article are by people who are using traffic exchanges the “wrong” way.
What you want to do is brand your name and face. Then the more times people see it, they will recognize you, and actually read what you have to say or trust you.
Gain trust with them.
Then, don’t sell anything on the exchange. Instead get a lead (email address), build your list, or give them a (unique) splash page that they’ll click through to read more. After all, if they click through, they are interested.
Then you keep duplicating that process. Before you know it, you’ll have referrals, a list, and be making money.
Just using a traffic exchange is not enough. You have to use strategy and use it the “right” way.
:) These are just a few points on how to use a traffic exchange effectively. There are many more (like tracking results).
It may sound difficult at first, but once you get into the hang of things and keep up *consistency*, it comes like second nature — like riding a bicycle.
Consistency is the key word there. If you use te’s the wrong way you get bad results. If you consistently use te’s the wrong way, you consistently get bad results. If you use te’s the right way, you get results. If you *consistently* use te’s the right way, you’ll get consistent results.. and that’s where the money comes in.