Traffic to your website

trafficmarines · 01-25-2006, 03:42 AM

Traffic exchange is a popular concept on the Internet, referring to the exchange of web traffic on the World Wide Web.

Usually, a central exchange site receives submissions from website operators. They sign up for traffic exchange networks. These people then browse other member sites on the exchange program to earn credits, which enable their sites to be viewed by other members. This increases the number of visitors to all the sites involved, but does so in a way that seems to have little benefit for the participants.

Exchange programs typically enforce a 2-to-1 or 4-to-1 credit ratio, meaning members earn 0.5 or 0.25 in credit for visiting one member site, and each credit is translated to one page view for them.

In theory, website owners would visit other sites through the central exchange program and thus channel more traffic back to their own sites. As the viewers are all website owners or operators, it is possible that some of them might find certain member sites interesting and thus make note of them on their own sites, sending more traffic their way. Most traffic programs also impose a time limit when members are browsing, ranging from 60 seconds to 10 seconds. Some incorporate the use of captcha to ensure user interaction, although there are exchange programs that let members browse without manually clicking, automatically moving on to the next site in rotation once the time limit is up.

Almost all traffic exchange programs are free, although many of them offer special features to paid members and offer credits for purchase. Almost all traffic exchange programs encourage users to build their own referral networks, which would in turn help the referrers accumulate more credits. For example, when a referred member receives credits through browsing, the referrer would get a small portion of the credits earned.

Notable exchange programs
Trafficmarines (2005)

Freebannerdisplay (2005)
Freebannercredits (2005)

MoralTerror · 01-25-2006, 07:56 AM

You should choose your traffic exchanges carefully though. They come and go very quickly, often disappearing in the night with paying members hard earned.

Choose well established exchanges with proven records. Many claim to drive targetted traffic to your site but is it really?

Email the owner and ask lots of questions before parting with your cash. Do they answer your questions, if not then avoid using them.

They are also a breeding ground for malware. Make sure you are well protected ie ALL your software is up to date, especially Operating System, Anti-Virus, and any pop-blockers, spyware blockers etc. Make sure your firewall is protecting you. Scan your ports with security checkers at Gibson Research or Symantec to make sure. Switch off services you don't need.

Know each exchanges terms and conditions, many sites break them eg more than 2 popups (I believe most exchanges allow 2), sites breaking out of frames etc and report them to the exchange.

And remember if it looks too good to be true then it usually is. There are many gullable people trying to get rich selling you a get rich quick scheme, avoid them like the plague.

Be aware that a well written site will get most of it's "targeted traffic" from search engines not traffic exchanges. Content is crucial once your visitor lands on your site you want to keep them coming back for more.

01-25-2006, 03:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
trafficmarines Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1 OS: WIN 95	Traffic to your website Traffic exchange is a popular concept on the Internet, referring to the exchange of web traffic on the World Wide Web. Usually, a central exchange site receives submissions from website operators. They sign up for traffic exchange networks. These people then browse other member sites on the exchange program to earn credits, which enable their sites to be viewed by other members. This increases the number of visitors to all the sites involved, but does so in a way that seems to have little benefit for the participants. Exchange programs typically enforce a 2-to-1 or 4-to-1 credit ratio, meaning members earn 0.5 or 0.25 in credit for visiting one member site, and each credit is translated to one page view for them. In theory, website owners would visit other sites through the central exchange program and thus channel more traffic back to their own sites. As the viewers are all website owners or operators, it is possible that some of them might find certain member sites interesting and thus make note of them on their own sites, sending more traffic their way. Most traffic programs also impose a time limit when members are browsing, ranging from 60 seconds to 10 seconds. Some incorporate the use of captcha to ensure user interaction, although there are exchange programs that let members browse without manually clicking, automatically moving on to the next site in rotation once the time limit is up. Almost all traffic exchange programs are free, although many of them offer special features to paid members and offer credits for purchase. Almost all traffic exchange programs encourage users to build their own referral networks, which would in turn help the referrers accumulate more credits. For example, when a referred member receives credits through browsing, the referrer would get a small portion of the credits earned. Notable exchange programs Trafficmarines (2005) Freebannerdisplay (2005) Freebannercredits (2005) Last edited by trafficmarines; 01-25-2006 at 04:03 AM.

01-25-2006, 07:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
MoralTerror Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,968 OS: xp	You should choose your traffic exchanges carefully though. They come and go very quickly, often disappearing in the night with paying members hard earned. Choose well established exchanges with proven records. Many claim to drive targetted traffic to your site but is it really? Email the owner and ask lots of questions before parting with your cash. Do they answer your questions, if not then avoid using them. They are also a breeding ground for malware. Make sure you are well protected ie ALL your software is up to date, especially Operating System, Anti-Virus, and any pop-blockers, spyware blockers etc. Make sure your firewall is protecting you. Scan your ports with security checkers at Gibson Research or Symantec to make sure. Switch off services you don't need. Know each exchanges terms and conditions, many sites break them eg more than 2 popups (I believe most exchanges allow 2), sites breaking out of frames etc and report them to the exchange. And remember if it looks too good to be true then it usually is. There are many gullable people trying to get rich selling you a get rich quick scheme, avoid them like the plague. Be aware that a well written site will get most of it's "targeted traffic" from search engines not traffic exchanges. Content is crucial once your visitor lands on your site you want to keep them coming back for more.