Member Avatar for Bob_R

First off, this is not really my first post. I forgot my username/password so I just re-registered. I'm happy to be here....again!

I have a month old site (vBulletin with WordPress as the front page) geared towards the town I live in. I have Google AdSense integrated into my vb and I have kontera on WP.

I'd like to start advertising for the local businesses in town. Can I get answers on how exactly I should proceed with this matter?

How much do I charge?
Do I just charge a flat rate or do I need some kind of software to calculate clicks/impressions?

Any and all suggestions would be helpful because this is a brand new avenue for me.

I appreciate your anticipated feedback!

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Dani AI

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A focused, practical plan to turn a small local site into a reliable ad product — inventory, pricing, measurement, sales materials and basic contract items.

Start by defining inventory (exact placement, pixel size, and expected monthly impressions per slot). Convert impressions into a defensible rate using a simple CPM formula:
Price_per_month = (Monthly_impressions / 1000) * Target_CPM
Pick a conservative Target_CPM based on local demand and the advertiser type (higher for high-margin services). Round up for simplicity and offer a multi-month discount rather than guessing a single “right” number.

Make measurement simple and credible. Use site analytics to report monthly impressions and visitor geography, and add one lead metric advertisers care about: a unique landing page, coupon code or phone number per advertiser so you can show real leads (not just clicks). Export a one-page PDF report each month with impressions, clicks, CTR and lead count. For ad delivery and scheduling use a lightweight ad rotator or simple CMS placement rules so you can show on/off dates and creative used.

Prepare a one‑page media kit for prospects: audience snapshot (local reach, peak times), placement screenshots, monthly impressions per slot, the price, creative specs, and 30/60/90 day trial offers. Include clear contract terms: start/end dates, payment due, creative deadlines and file formats, removal/cancellation policy, and a statement that you won’t tolerate fraudulent activity. Ask for payment up front for new advertisers.

Notes tied to replies here: is right that advertiser type shifts value; build that into your Target_CPM. ’s example shows demand exists — use metrics to move from token listings to measurable value. and point to recurring billing — make renewals automatic with notice. suggested market research — use nearby sites as benchmarks when negotiating. Finally, respect any ad-network policies you run and never encourage artificial clicks.

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Member Avatar for thewebhostingdi

How much to charge depends upon what you advertise for? If your website advertise Gold and Diamond businesses. Then you get more.

Moreover, you always use some software to track the impressions and clicks. Because your advertisers may ask for this to you when they think they are not getting any business by advertising their product on your website.

Member Avatar for middletown77

First off, this is not really my first post. I forgot my username/password so I just re-registered. I'm happy to be here....again!

I have a month old site (vBulletin with WordPress as the front page) geared towards the town I live in. I have Google AdSense integrated into my vb and I have kontera on WP.

I'd like to start advertising for the local businesses in town. Can I get answers on how exactly I should proceed with this matter?

How much do I charge?
Do I just charge a flat rate or do I need some kind of software to calculate clicks/impressions?

Any and all suggestions would be helpful because this is a brand new avenue for me.

I appreciate your anticipated feedback!

I don't have a ton of experience with this but I just started charging for placements/links on my website. Just charged someone $50 for a year for a text link. I've seen many websites in this range. The more hits you have, and the more hits you can prove to potential advertisers the more you can legitimately charge.

Member Avatar for yourwebgurus

Yea I would say either a monthly charge or flat rate annual charge. Usually most businesses like the later...

Member Avatar for bobchrist

Depends on the traffic level however I think flat charges will be convenient for both you and your advertisers.

Member Avatar for snapshot

Local advertising as well as ad serving or publishing projects could become successful if you know how to do that.

By taking a look at the websites of your colleagues you will gain points on the costs of the ads spots to be sold too.

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