ScratchBack for Traffic

I wanted to wait until I had the widget on my blog for a month or so before I wrote about it, but I figured I'd forget why I installed the widget ScratchBack in the first place if I waited that long. I want to gauge its effectiveness for traffic, not for gain.

As you can see when you look at the widget in one of my sidebars (it could change positions, so I won't say exactly where it is), I chose the minimalist theme for my widget. The rest were too wide for my sidebars and I don't have a creative bone in my body (or Photoshop), so it was either choose that widget or widen the sidebars. I took the easier route.

Since I have no fondness for slow loading third-party JavaScript widgets, I made sure to make use of Stephen Cronin's IFrameWidgets plugin for WordPress. Except for a couple of XHTML validation errors, it does the job of preventing interference quite nicely.

Tactics

My aim is to take what I receive as ScratchBack tips and reinvest it on the ScratchBack widgets at other blogs. I'm specifically looking for blogs where I think I may draw traffic from. I'm not going to wait to get paid ScratchBacks minimum payment amount before tipping, though, because I have online income from other sources to cover it until I do. I just have to be frugal for the time being.

Of course, if I spot the widget on a blog that I like to read, I'm prepared to drop a tip on a dime. That is, unless the blogger is asking for an outrageous amount.

What took me so long?

I wanted to wait until after the buzz created by the prominent bloggers, and their followers, died down before fooling with it. In my opinion, the effectiveness of ScratchBack tip jars can't truly be gauged until people stop writing about it so much.

I'm prepared to write a follow-up article in 40-60 days, depending on where I am at the time. I'm also prepared to get rid of the widget and stop using it on other blogs to generate traffic if doesn't appear to have much effect. I'll be sure to let you know.

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Lex G on 2008-02-17 at 6:40 pm (Reply)

RT,

That's exactly what I've been doing as well, waiting till it's a little quite about it … Only then can you be objective …

Lex G's last blog post..5 In-Depth Questions for Darren Rowse of Problogger

hari on 2008-02-17 at 6:56 pm (Reply)

To be honest, I really don't see any future for this sort of advertising.

It's kind of self-defeating when you ask people to actually pay for a link that is practically worthless in every way and is not even guaranteed to appear on browsers (because JavaScript code can easily by blocked by adblockers). Except maybe a couple of curious clicks, I see no advantage.

Lot of traffic through this source? I don't see any… Maybe people who really want to be nice might tip you, but I don't see it as a source of real advertising income.

hari's last blog post..Obscure blog software you might not be aware of

Troy on 2008-02-18 at 12:16 am (Reply)

I guess the idea is less to draw traffic and more to make a donation to the blogger, while getting a link as a "thank-you". If you're looking for traffic, though, it's probably better to just buy an AdBrite ad.
2. hari on 2008-02-18 at 12:21 am (Reply)
  
  Unfortunately these "thank you" type donations are very rare on the Internet. Oh, yes, I know bloggers can be generous when there is a specific cause, but when you're looking for generic donations from total strangers (or even from friends), all I can say is "good luck".
  hari's last blog post..Obscure blog software you might not be aware of

Grizzly on 2008-02-17 at 7:59 pm (Reply)

I have found it's only benefit is that it allows you to try out affiliate links on other people's sites. I have made a few sales and for the cost I'm happy but this definitely isn't a traffic producer.

BTW RT, the only people who have had much in the way of hits on my widget are those with catchy titles for their affiliate links - I don't know how they have converted but they get the most clicks. As you are on my widget I thought I would mention this - the "Earn Paypal Fast" link below yours on my blog is getting most of the clicks. Anyway, just thought I would mention the affiliate link angle if posting your Blog link doesn't get the results you were hoping for.

Grizzly's last blog post..How to Make Money with Adsense

hari on 2008-02-17 at 11:05 pm (Reply)

I figured as much. Blogs cannot drive much traffic using these links.

hari's last blog post..Obscure blog software you might not be aware of

Dave on 2008-02-19 at 1:47 am (Reply)

Scratchback is cool. There's a similar widget available from http://www.BringaBuddy.net which has a width of 160px and fits in most sidebars.

Check it out…

Troy on 2008-02-20 at 6:36 am (Reply)

While this comment is clearly shameless promotion (:)), the BringaBuddy service actually looks pretty interesting. it appears to be like ScratchBack, except they offer commissions to people for selling links on your site (they do the promotion, advertisers do the paying, you make the money). I've never heard of this service before, but it's worth looking into.
2. Dave on 2008-02-20 at 6:34 pm (Reply)
  
  You caught me in the act Troy..
  
  You're absolutely right. BringaBuddy is trying to bring in the third role of "Promoter", in addition to the typical "Advertiser" and "Publisher" roles. Websites can decide how much commission they want to give to try and attract promoters…
  2. Troy on 2008-02-21 at 5:54 am (Reply)
    
    As hari pointed out above, most blogs really could use some help with promoting your ads, and I really like the idea. You've got your work cut out for you attricting competent people (not just 12 year olds wanting to make a buck) and keeping people from spamming and scamming the system, but there's a lot of potential there
    
    One suggestion would be to come up with some different, more compact widget styles, maybe by emulating the look of BlogRush.

RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2008-02-21 at 5:25 am (Reply)

Thanks for the comments, everyone!

This is a testing thing. Since I'm using tips to leave tips, even if it generates no traffic at all, it tells me a lot about the future of these kinds of links. Like I wrote, 40-60 days and I plan to write a follow-up.

art on 2008-03-11 at 10:31 am (Reply)

I never use scratchback before. But looking at the response above, its not a great way to get traffic i see. But the "earn paypal fast" link is generating traffic. I guess if we are using the word "money" then it should not be a problem yeah..

An American Living in the Philippines

ScratchBack for Traffic