Aweber October 17, 2008
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentWhat’s the one thing every “super affiliate” has in common? They all build mailing lists. What’s the one thing every internet marketing guru can agree on? The money is in the list. There may be a plethora of methods for making money online, but the bottom line is, the big money earners are the ones who have built huge opt-in lists. If you’re going to build a list, you need a solid auto responder, and I think Tony Tezak said it best when he said, “auto responder is spelled Aweber.”
Setting up your first squeeze page using Aweber’s service is remarkably simple thanks to helpful step by step instructions within the site. If you can copy and paste, you should have no problem adding the necessary code to your pages. Aweber’s opt-in forms also provide a fair bit of tracking as well making it a snap to split test your lead capture pages and decide which one is pulling in the best results.
Setting up a series of automated emails is equally simple with helpful tips included along the way. Built in click tracking helps you determine which emails are winners and which ones will need some work. The integrated spam checker not only warns you if your message is likely to be flagged as spam, it also pinpoints which phrases or words need to be modified in order to ensure a higher delivery rate.
This review barely scratches the surface of Aweber’s powerful system, but one thing is certain. These days, getting your emails into your subscribers inboxes is more challenging then ever thanks to increasing levels of spam filtering by many of the most commonly used email providers. Thankfully Aweber has built a working relationship with these companies to ensure the highest delivery rate of any auto responder service available on the net. That said, it’s really no surprise everyone seems to be recommending Aweber.
Final Rating: 10 (out of possible 10)
Visit Maniac October 16, 2008
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentDo you have to be crazy to advertise at Visit Maniac? Well, there’s been a number of cosmetic changes going on lately, as well as a significant increase in promotion so I’ve decided to put this new and possibly improved traffic exchange to the test.
For starters, the new design while a bit on the dark side, is a vast improvement over the previous one. It fits the theme and serves up a professional image. An audio message on the front page adds to the presentation nicely. But can Visit Maniac really “drive thousands of maniac buyers to your websites” as the front page headline states?
Currently, hits are being delivered quite well actually. Stats show a decent amount of daily hits being delivered with just under half being unique. Shouldn’t be too hard to get repeat exposure here, and there does seem to be a notable number of active surfers here.
Could be that the recent advertising push from the admin, combines with the fact that Visit Maniac offers 45% commissions for ALL members has led to an increase in new members coming in the door. One things for certain, the numbers have been on the rise over the past couple of months.
Nothing really worth mentioning in the way of features here. Nothing you haven’t seen anywhere else, and most will seem extremely familiar. The members area page does have a nice set of step by step instructions for new members though. Something I’d like to see more of around the TE world.
In the end, Visit Maniac does seem to be on the rise, though I’m not really seeing much in the way of results just yet. If the owner can keep up his recent burst of momentum, and maybe dream up some useful, unique features, we may be hearing a lot more from this one down the road.
Final Rating: 4 (out of possible 10)
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Mythology Surf October 14, 2008
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentI really love an eye catching design, and Mythology surf certainly grabs your attention right from the start. Just don’t stare into the eyes of “Zeus” or his female counterpart for too long. It’s downright creepy and just a bit mesmerizing.
Mythology surf has a number of ways in which it encourages activity, although it does cap daily surfing to 1500 page views per surfer. This is actually quite high for a surfing cap and makes me wonder why they’ve bothered with the limit at all. The top 20 surfers are awarded on a daily basis, and a quick look at the standings reveals that most are averaging around 500 views per day with only a handful coming anywhere near the cap.
In addition to the top surfers competition, there is a surfing game which requires members to collect “cards”, each depicting a different “God” from ancient Greek mythology. It compliments the theme well and does a fairly good job of encouraging regular surfing.
What’s surprising to me is the high percentage of unique hits being delivered here. The high traffic flow is expected with all of the competitive surfing going on, but stats are showing that there are quite a few surfers participating here, and for an exchange this young, that’s pretty impressive.
Results haven’t been much to write home about thus far, and I’m thinking it’s going to take some well targeted, exchange specific ads to really grab any attention here. Approach this one as you would any of the big “team surfing” exchanges, and you may just enjoy the traffic at Mythology surf.
Final Rating: 5 (out of possible 10)
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Traffic Goldrush October 10, 2008
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentY’know, there have been a lot of traffic exchanges launched this year, each with their own brand blend of hype and incentives to join early. But non have been so masterfully crafted as the launch of Paul Conway’s Traffic Goldrush.
Launch Managers Paul Kinder and Steve Ayling have managed to put Traffic Goldrush on the map in a matter of days with over 3000 members signing up in just over 1 weeks time. For a site that came out of nowhere this is downright staggering, and the resulting activity within the site has proven profitable for many members already.
I initially thought something was wrong with my tracking when I first checked my results at goldrush. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a new exchange this responsive. It’s already out performing many exchanges with twice it’s membership.
So what’s making this place so effective?
Well, aside from the huge rush of new members, I think surfers are hooked on the “Gold-Rush” feature. Periodically while surfing, you’ll see a message in the surfbar stating that the “Gold Rush is on” which means an increased surf ratio for the duration of the rush. It appears in bursts, and fairly often so it’s really hard to pull yourself away from the surfbar in anticipation of the next gold rush. The impact this has had on credit delivery is amazing and results are equally jaw dropping.
Will Traffic Gold Rush stand the test of time? My money says yes. With a team like this one I don’t expect anything less than the best. I’m willing to stake my reputation on it as I’m giving this one the highest rating I’ve ever given an exchange this young. When all is said and done, the ratings are based on results. Paul, Paul, and Steve have really struck gold with this one. Sorry about the pun… I just had to. 
Final Rating: 8 (out of possible 10)
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Internet Marketing Success Formula
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentSoren Jordansen’s Ebook and it’s accompanying affiliate program is in a word… genius. What started as a series of surveys on Soren’s public blog, has evolved into a step by step plan for internet marketing success that offers the answers most surfers have been seeking since they clicked their first surfbar button.
The book begins by exploring the results of the initial survey, and seeks to define the “average” internet marketer. As traffic exchange users, what Soren has done for us here is define our potential customers and given us an insight into what they want and/or need. This information alone is worth the download, but Soren is just getting started.
This diamond in the rough ebook goes on to walk readers step by step through the process of setting up what is essentially every internet marketer’s dream. An automated sales process that makes you money while you sleep. It’s an over used cliche, but never before have the facts about how it’s done been put into such a clear and concise format.
The book itself is a free download, however there is an attractive upgrade offer which gives rebranding rights to those savvy enough to make the meager investment.
All in all, there are a ton of reasons I can enthusiastically recommend this ebook to anyone and everyone, but with this being a free download I think you really ought to have a read yourself. Only then will you truly understand why I’m so exited about Internet Marketing Success Formula. For once, I can’t find any negatives so…
Final Rating: 10 (out of possible 10)
Traffic Project October 7, 2008
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentTraffic Project is yet another LJ script based traffic exchange with all the standard features. You get your full page views, banner ads and text link ads, and a small handful of credits for signing up, but there’s really nothing truly unique about this program.
The first thing that sticks out here is the site’s presentation, and not in a good way I’m afraid. Everything from the layout to the promotional tools look dated and downright amateur and I’m sure this has had a negative impact on this site’s success.
Free members can earn a 2:1 surf ratio at Traffic Project, and the pro upgrade is one of the most affordable in the business, though it would be hard to justify spending any money, or time for that manner, in an exchange like this one. Traffic delivery is substandard, and there seems to be little effort from the admin to improve the business.
The downline builder here does feature some reputable programs, however the inclusion of sites like “Pooh Bear Surf” make me question the integrity of this entire service. If it’s true that you are judged by the company you keep, the owner of Traffic Project may want to re-think some of the programs he’s pushing in his downline builder.
All in all, there’s little to save Traffic Project from a red number score here. I will however be back for an updated review in the future. Hopefully we’ll see some improvements by then.
Final Rating: 2 (out of possible 10)
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Tip Top Traffic
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentHere we are, reviewing another traffic exchange running on the Walker traffic exchange script. Now, many people in the the TE world have a dislike for this script, but personally, all that matters to me is results. So lets see what’s going on at Tip Top Traffic.
Free members earn a 2:1 surf ratio here and the upgrades… well, here’s the first red flag. The upgrades here are dirt cheap. This always scares me when coupled with the already generous 2:1 surf ratio, the possibility of credit backlog is high. Tip Top has set itself up for quite the job if they hope to keep the credits moving here.
While we’re on the subject of moving credits, you may notice that the start surfing link isn’t immediately apparent. Where most exchanges place a hard to miss “start surfing now” link in plain sight, here you’ll have to first click on “tools” and then you find the surf link. I imagine newbie surfers may have a bit of trouble finding the link, and I’m sure many won’t bother to look too far.
The surfbar at Tip Top Traffic has the hover surf feature, though we are reminded that we can click if we prefer. A second message in the surfbar however causes me a bit of concern as surfers are encouraged to watch the surfbar for a “surprise prise”. Just what we need. Members fixated on the surfbar and ignoring our ads. Not getting any cool points from me here.
At this point, it’s no surprise results from Tip Top Traffic are anything but tip top. Time for a final rating…
Final Rating: 1 (out of possible 10)
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Enjoy Traffic October 6, 2008
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentOwned and maintained by the mysterious “Ms. X”, Enjoy Traffic has reached nearly 20,000 members while somehow avoiding the spotlight here in the TE community. It runs on a graphically modified version of the Walker Traffic exchange script, instantly standing out from the plethora of walker exchanges with it’s truly unique layout.
You’ll find a lot of familiar features here, but one thing worth mentioning is the way text ads are delivered here. Not only are your text ads shown within Enjoy Traffic itself, but also on “the entire Enjoy Traffic network” which is supposedly “hundreds of sites.” Extra exposure is always worth a look though I’ve yet to form an opinion on how effective this feature is here.
There are several surfgames to choose from, allowing you to bet credits on everything from the classic battleship to a game of blackjack. There’s an issue where some of the text appearing during the games is invisible though making it tough to tell what’s going on. Hopefully that will be fixed soon.
The traffic delivery is surprisingly good though, for an exchange that’s been flying under the radar. While I wouldn’t call this a top 10 exchange just yet, overall things at Enjoy Traffic are looking pretty good so far.
Final Rating: 5 (out of possible 10)
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Show n Find October 2, 2008
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentShow n Find Traffic Exchange launched in 2006, about 2 years ago and has yet to really gain much attention from the TE community. With poor promotional tools, and a general lack of any significant promotion at all, it’s not surprising this program is growing at a snail’s pace.
Show n Find offers a 2:1 ratio for free surfers and one of the most affordable upgrades to be found anywhere. For literally a couple of bucks, members can secure a 1:1 surf ratio. This might sound appealing to some, but for an under promoted exchange like this one, this sounds like a recipe for disaster.
There are some decent commissions to be earned promoting Show n Find, but members will find gaining those referrals a bit challenging with the tools provided. There are a handful of banners, though there doesn’t appear to be much of a consistent theme to the ads. The splash pages provided are essentially just trimmed down versions of the site’s home page and manage to make the program appear more amateur than professional.
So, many of the issues here, could be easily solved with high surf activity and a steady flow of new members coming through the doors. The major problem here is the lack of a professional presentation and a severe lack of promotion. Not looking good at this stage, but we’ll see what the future holds for Show n Find.
Final Rating: 3 (out of possible 10)
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My E Traffic
Posted by The Secret Surfer in : Reviews , add a commentMyETraffic is one of those ever popular hover surf exchanges running on the not so popular Walker traffic exchange script. The exchange launched in 2006 and has just barely broken the 2000 member mark. Doesn’t look like we’ll find many fresh eyes for our ads here, but lets have a closer look anyway.
Along with the hover surf feature, you’ll find that My E Traffic also offers the surf n chat feature which many of us have come to love. The question here is surf n chat with whom? Give it a shot and you’ll soon find it’s an exercise in schizophrenia. As much as I love my own company, I can’t say I’ll be using this feature much.
My E Traffic continues to let me down with their credit trading feature. This allows members to freely buy and sell credits amongst themselves. Unregulated as this feature is, it’s bound to lead to relentless power-surfing. Members who choose to make a part time profession out of credit sales have little interest in the ads they are supposed to be viewing as their goal has now become to earn as many credits as possible in order to sell them on the open market. Maybe, just maybe this could work with a larger membership, but 2 years in with only about 2000 members to show for it, this ill advised feature needs to go… like yesterday.
So yes there’s more to be seen here, but I’m hard pressed to continue further. Bottom line, unless you’d like to sell useless MyETraffic credits on Ebay, there’s really no valid reason to surf at this poor excuse for a web traffic provider.
Final Rating: 1 (out of possible 10)
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