I run my own business online, and I need traffic in order for it to survive. I use many different sources for traffic, and I found a great way to get free traffic is through the use of traffic exchanges.

 

 

I've been using traffic exchanges for many years, with many varying degrees of success. With some, you get high responses, others, not so much. One thing that does bother me though is trying to use traffic exchanges while only using a dialup connection. Dialup, unlike broadband connections, limits your productivity on traffic exchanges. It limits due to speed and reliability of connection, and that can mean the difference between having hundreds of people simultaneously viewing your website and having to juggle various time slots in order to have a couple dozen people viewing your website. Recently, 5 traffic exchanges have joined forces to offer a 'Super Surf', where you surf the 5 traffic exchanges simultaneously in exchange for a higher ratio. This does have a good and bad side; there is more productivity by the surfer, however, the temptation to rush through and ignore the other user's websites is greater. The drawback to dialup in this regard is that even if you are honest and do pay attention to all the user's websites, I have found that it is just not possible to use the 'Super Surf' feature, as the sites have to load up within a certain amount of time otherwise the software doesn't start or if started will stop. I have even found that just using 2 traffic exchanges simultaneously on dialup doesn't always work very well, as a website that is graphics heavy will freeze the traffic exchange, and this can also disrupt surfing on the alternate exchange. I know if more people used splash pages instead of these high graphic long sales pitching pages, I'd be more inclined to sign up with them; unfortunately, many people don't grasp the concept that a high amount of people are still using dialup (either by choice or by circumstances beyond their control).

 

 

If I was given a choice, I would definitely use a broadband connection while surfing on a traffic exchange, however this is not an option where I'm currently at. I won't give up surfing for free traffic of course, but those people who don't consider that not everyone has broadband internet will NEVER get my business. Why should I sign up and spend my money on someone's website that can't even load properly or worse yet freezes my browser? I've got better things to do with my time and better things to spend my money on. Splash pages that are simple always get my attention on traffic exchanges, especially now that I'm stuck using dialup to surf... just something to bear in mind next time you wonder why your sales are lower than you expected.

 

 

This rant written by Joe Rosendorf Jr.  This is merely an opinion based on personal experiences, and is intended to inform based on those experiences.