Website Traffic Debate

I'm having an interesting debate on another forum about website traffic. My position is quality traffic trumps quantity every time. However, while most members agree with my position, there are a few members who disagree. They believe that having a ton of untargeted traffic is better than having fewer numbers, but targeted traffic.

Of course, the best of both worlds would be to have both quality and quantity traffic.

Anyway, that's my position. I was just wondering what you guys think? If you had your choice, would you rather have quality or quantity traffic?

David Jackson

Quality of course.

I wonder if those arguing the point have actually tested quantity over quality and can offer valid proof that qty is better?

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Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

Quality of course.

I wonder if those arguing the point have actually tested quantity over quality and can offer valid proof that qty is better?

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Lynn, I try to be opened-minded and respect everyone's point of view - to a point. But choosing quantity of quality is just plain nonsensical.

David Jackson

99% of the time I would take quality over quantity, but there are exceptions.

If you're selling ad space, text links or anything else that is partly dependent on how much traffic you get, quantity could be more important. At least up front, when you're giving numbers to the advertisers to justify the costs. They might find the traffic doesn't convert if it's low-quality, but for getting them to advertise in the first place quantity could trump quality.

John

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Originally Posted by nichescape

99% of the time I would take quality over quantity, but there are exceptions.

If you're selling ad space, text links or anything else that is partly dependent on how much traffic you get, quantity could be more important. They might find the traffic doesn't convert if it's low-quality, but for getting them to advertise in the first place quantity could trump quality.

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John, that scenario would only apply to inexperienced marketers who really don't know any better. For the most part, experienced marketers understand the importance of traffic quality, and want to know where their traffic is coming from. So for them, quality still trumps quantity.

David Jackson

I've always had a bit of an issue about selling text links.

My thought process goes like this:
If I use this space for one of my own links, I would earn more than I am charging for the link space. If I wouldn't earn more than I am charging, then it's not worth what I am charging. So why sell it vs using it myself - or - why sell it if it's worthless?

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Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

I wonder if those arguing the point have actually tested quantity over quality and can offer valid proof that qty is better?

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My guess is they haven't tested anything. Otherwise, they wouldn't be making such a foolish argument. Over at the other forum, I challenged those members to find just one article by a legitimate Internet marketing expert that suggests traffic quantity is better than quality.

So far, no one has taken me up on that challenge. Gee, I wonder why? :confused:

David Jackson

Hmm...interesting question David. I mean obviously quality is preferred with respect to ROT (return on traffic LOL).

But I wonder....

If I could have quantity of traffic it would make sense to try and convert some of that traffic to quality by figuring out where they are coming from and what search phrases they are using to get to my site. Orienting my site pages or creating new one's to cater to the interest of the traffic coming to me.

Not many of us are given a choice between quality or quantity of traffic. I think most of us simply don't get enough traffic period. Of either kind.

But if I had to choose one or the other I think I would pick quantity and look at converting some of that traffic into quality traffic by going with the flow.

Hard to say. I mean a lot depends on the kind of web site one has.

At my site for example just about everyone needs a web site or will want to have one at one point or another. So my web development site can cater to most anyone on the web. And if they don't need a site I can sell them tutorials, the source code for my Simple Websites Made Easy system, or all kinds of other things.

But if I had a web site about using a RYOBI 14.4 volt drill...well...a large portion of general traffic couldn't care less in which case I would opt for quality traffic.

Carlos

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Originally Posted by carlos123

I wonder....

If I could have quantity of traffic it would make sense to try and convert some of that traffic to quality.

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Carlos, Last month, I made nearly $8,000 online. This month I'm on track to make over $6000. And I'm doing it with my Free Marketing Tips Blog which is relatively new, and doesn't get a lot of traffic yet.

However, the little traffic I do get is laser-targeted to the nth degree. The people who visit my blog are interested in one thing - Internet marketing. I've received many high-paying writing projects through my blog. The amazing thing is I've never advertised my services anywhere. In fact, I don't even have my contact information on my blog. Yet, people find me. Because of the quality of my traffic, I don't have to work for a living. I'm able to support myself 100% with the money I make online. Obviously, I'm doing something right.

If you and others want to waste your time trying to convert garbage traffic, more power to you. Me, I have bigger fish to fry!

David Jackson

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Originally Posted by David Jackson

If you and others want to waste your time trying to convert garbage traffic, more power to you. Me, I have bigger fish to fry!

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David I applaud your success but may I say...that it would be nice if you didn't look down on opinions opposite to yours so readily?

What I shared is just my opinion. A hypothetical opinion. Shared for the purpose of discussion. That was all it was.

Your reaction makes it sound like you have made up your mind that my opinion cannot possibly hold any water at all. It's either a black and white accept your opinion or nothing at all. End of discussion.

Tough to have a discussion with someone who seems to look down on others who have a different opinion.

Just because something has worked well for you doesn't mean everybody else has to do the same thing or that there isn't some value in doing things differently.

Carlos

How interesting it is that we all read and perceive so differently! I read david's comments as a reinforcement of his viewpoint which, in fact, had been shared by most of the other posters to this thread.

Actually, David's comments entered my brain as motivating me towards getting quality traffic - more traffic, YES!! But what good is traffic if they i
click away from my site in 1.5 seconds?

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Originally Posted by carlos123

David I applaud your success but may I say...that it would be nice if you didn't look down on opinions opposite to yours so readily?

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Carlos, I need to make something perfectly clear to you. I don't ever look down on anyone. I grew up dirt poor in the projects, and lived on welfare cheese, powdered milk and powdered eggs. Believe me, I remember where I came from, and don't think I'm better than anyone else, just because I've been fortunate in business.

I recognize and respect everyone's opinion. In fact, I've even presented opposing viewpoints in other threads on this forum. The reason I told you my story was not to brag. I actually hate it when people brag about how much money they make. I personally think it's tacky and uncouth.

I was only using myself as an example to motivate you - to show you what can happen when you focus on generating quality traffic to your website. I was only trying to prove to you that you don't need huge traffic numbers to succeed online, if your traffic is targeted.

David Jackson

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Originally Posted by David Jackson

Carlos, I need to make something perfectly clear to you. I don't ever look down on anyone. I grew up dirt poor in the projects, and lived off welfare cheese, powdered milk and powdered eggs. Believe me, I remember where I came from, and don't think I'm better than anyone else, just because I've been fortunate in business.

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David I think I may have misunderstood the intent behind your words. Sorry about that guy.

It's so difficult sometimes to gauge the intent of the heart behind the words that are said on our little computer screens. We don't have the benefit of body language or otherwise. Just words. Only words.

Your story is indeed a wonderful motivational example David. Dirt poor in the projects living off welfare cheese to an internet success! Well done!

My hat off to you sir!

Carlos

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Originally Posted by carlos123

David I think I may have misunderstood the intent behind your words. Sorry about that guy.

It's so difficult sometimes to gauge the intent of the heart behind the words that are said on our little computer screens. We don't have the benefit of body language or otherwise. Just words. Only words.

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Apology accepted, thank you! Yes, it is difficult to judge the intent of anyone's heart. But I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, and assume they have good intentions. Sometimes I slip up, but I always try to assume the best of people's intentions.

David Jackson

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Originally Posted by jkgourmet

David's comments entered my brain as motivating me towards getting quality traffic - more traffic, YES!! But what good is traffic if they click away from my site in 1.5 seconds?

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Thank you jk! If this thread motivated you to focus on generating quality traffic, then it served its purpose. Whenever I start a thread, my ultimate goal is to get through to just one person. If I can do that, everything else is gravy!

David Jackson

Government Cheese - lol, David. I recently told my son the real reason why he loves & requests a certain block of cheese every time I go shopping haha. Talk about dirt poor. Been there myself, friend. *cheers*

Nice to talk about it in past tense, isn't it? ;)

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Originally Posted by carlos123

Not many of us are given a choice between quality or quantity of traffic. I think most of us simply don't get enough traffic period. Of either kind.

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Not given a choice?! :confused:

You create the site. You create the marketing plan. You control every element. What planet is your website on?? LOL

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Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

Government Cheese - lol, David. I recently told my son the real reason why he loves & requests a certain block of cheese every time I go shopping haha. Talk about dirt poor. Been there myself, friend. *cheers*

Nice to talk about it in past tense, isn't it? ;)

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Lynn, the powdered milk and eggs were nasty. :( But that big block of cheddar cheese was actually pretty good. You're absolutely right. It is nice to talk about it in past tense.

But I never forget it, Lynn. Growing up poor like that keeps me humble and hungry.

David Jackson

Ditto - and I wake up every day grateful that I was born at such a time brimming with opportunity. Opportunity for a single mother with a special needs child and 2 total to raise alone... to also have a rewarding career and a decent lifestyle for my children.

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Originally Posted by Lynn Terry

Not given a choice?! :confused:

You create the site. You create the marketing plan. You control every element. What planet is your website on?? LOL

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What I meant Lynn is that not all of us are given a choice between quantity of traffic or quality traffic at any given moment in time. Yes we control all aspects of getting traffic over the long haul but as of this moment for example I don't have the ability to choose between lots of traffic or quality traffic. I have neither LOL.

Of course I can certainly influence which I will go for and which I will ultimately get by what I do today.

I should have explained that better.

Carlos