How Do You Define a Conversion on Your Website?

[danep]

Hi everyone, I'd really love to know if I'm not mixing up my e-commerce and PPC campaigns lingo with affiliate terms. I'm just curious to know what action by the users you define as a conversion. For example:

Is it a session duration?

Is it a signup to a newsletter?

Is it a signup to a free trial version?

Is it adding an item to the shopping cart?

These are just a few, I'm sure there are more.

Last but not least important, how do you measure and track your conversions?

*I'm not curious about how you get your traffic (yet), just about how you measure what happens to it. Thank you so much!

[NatalieK]

a paid signup, it could be classed as a trial, lucky for my business model, I send a private clip and message to all my paying fans every morning, this encourages trial to full pass, giving the full conversion

[Neighbor]

A conversion is simply a defined goal/action that is completed. (and everyone has their own goals they count as a conversion)

For example:

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, and have a lead form. The data gets entered and submitted... That's a conversion.

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, and register for their email list... That's a conversion.

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, products are there and something is bought...that's a conversion

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander and register for the site (probably free)...that's a conversion. (going from a free member to a paid membership could also be counted as a conversion, based on the goals you established)

Measuring and Tracking, well that's NATS or NATS for Networks silly ;)

[RyuLion]

Originally Posted by Neighbor

A conversion is simply a defined goal/action that is completed. (and everyone has their own goals they count as a conversion)

For example:

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, and have a lead form. The data gets entered and submitted... That's a conversion.

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, and register for their email list... That's a conversion.

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, products are there and something is bought...that's a conversion

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander and register for the site (probably free)...that's a conversion. (going from a free member to a paid membership could also be counted as a conversion, based on the goals you established)

Measuring and Tracking, well that's NATS or NATS for Networks silly ;)

^^^^
Setup Goals.

[adultchatpay]

If it has $ sign in it, it's a conversion for me.

[danep]

I see what you guys mean, however, what happens before the user turns into cash? Are there stages? Are there steps in which a drop happens which you can refine?
I'll give you an example from a clipsite I was testing. Once I decided to make a test purchase, the redirection to a payment gateway page and the error of processing completely killed the conversion. I'm not assuming a regular user will contact the clipsite, or the credit company as to why they are being denied from purchasing on an adult site
My experience with vanilla e-commerce and tourism is that there are micro stages before turning traffic into $$$, and that understanding these stages is no less important than bringing in traffic. John Nats understands my approach

[AmeliaG]

Originally Posted by danep

I see what you guys mean, however, what happens before the user turns into cash? Are there stages? Are there steps in which a drop happens which you can refine?
I'll give you an example from a clipsite I was testing. Once I decided to make a test purchase, the redirection to a payment gateway page and the error of processing completely killed the conversion. I'm not assuming a regular user will contact the clipsite, or the credit company as to why they are being denied from purchasing on an adult site
My experience with vanilla e-commerce and tourism is that there are micro stages before turning traffic into $$$, and that understanding these stages is no less important than bringing in traffic. John Nats understands my approach

In Google Analytics, you can set up a series of Goals, like the ones John describes, so, if there is a place where you lose people, it will really stand out. Just as applicable for adult as tourism.

[PornDiscounts-V]

Its when I get paid.

[Paul Markham]

Originally Posted by Neighbor

A conversion is simply a defined goal/action that is completed. (and everyone has their own goals they count as a conversion)

For example:

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, and have a lead form. The data gets entered and submitted... That's a conversion.

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, and register for their email list... That's a conversion.

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander, products are there and something is bought...that's a conversion

*You hit the trackable link, go to a lander and register for the site (probably free)...that's a conversion. (going from a free member to a paid membership could also be counted as a conversion, based on the goals you established)

Measuring and Tracking, well that's NATS or NATS for Networks silly ;)

^^^^^ This.

[femdomdestiny]

Only real sales here. No signups, free trials, emails that will stay undelivered for various reasons, etc.

[celandina]

Originally Posted by femdomdestiny

Only real sales here. No signups, free trials, emails that will stay undelivered for various reasons, etc.

I agree, when the payment processor tells me money has landed, that is the ONLY conversion which counts

[danep]

Originally Posted by femdomdestiny

Only real sales here. No signups, free trials, emails that will stay undelivered for various reasons, etc.

So the only action of value to your business is when someone spends money on your website? I'm not criticizing, I'm simply asking as a novice.

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by danep

So the only action of value to your business is when someone spends money on your website? I'm not criticizing, I'm simply asking as a novice.

that's the final goal. But to get there, there are other processes that must be done first. In my case: good keyword analysis, then pairing those keywords with sponsor offer, then presenting it in such a way to maximize conversions and before all, doing what it takes to get traffic from search engines matching exact offer on my sites and being ranked for content relevant keywords.

[danep]

Cool. Do you have any monitoring of how many times someone visits your website before making a purchase ? (no need to reveal how many of course).

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by danep

Cool. Do you have any monitoring of how many times someone visits your website before making a purchase? (no need to reveal how many of course).

I don't. I am trying to avoid analytics because it becomes addictive and you will find yourself buried into the stats instead of working on improving traffic quality. Measure most of us are using is conversion rate and how many visitors you need on average before getting a sale with a sponsor.

This way you can see what is converting better and where to point your traffic. You can also see what are best traffic sources. ( paid campaigns, PPC, SEO, social networks...)Of course, never forget that sites can go out of the game, so diversification is crucial. Especially when it is not easy to replace all links and content in a short time period.

[Neighbor]

In your comment, you say

Originally Posted by femdomdestiny

Measure most of us are using is conversion rate and how many visitors you need on average before getting a sale with a sponsor.

This way you can see what is converting better and where to point your traffic. You can also see what are best traffic sources. (paid campaigns, PPC, SEO, social networks...)Of course, never forget that sites can go out of the game, so diversification is crucial. Especially when it is not easy to replace all links and content in a short time period.

So based on that quote, conversion rates never sway in either direction, it is what it is and can't be optimized? I find that to be incredibly short sighted imho...

Conversion rates are the 30000 ft view of a sales funnel, traffic/sales. The easiest metric to evaluate. There should be a funnel setup for any traffic coming to a site. You should WANT to know the metrics of someone who turned into a mailer signup, free trial, lead or a full sale from ANY marketing you are doing, paid, organic or otherwise. Then know if that converted into something else afterwards.

Does optimizing your traffic ever come into play? Aside from "this source is only converting at 1:10000 and this other one is converting 3:10000 so let's throw more to that one?" or is there deeper evaluation and optimization being tested such as various A/B testing of various landing pages, price points, geo-target, promotions, etc?

One thing I have seen since the wild wild west days in the early 2000s in this industry is the move to really understand marketing in the digital age by those who understood where the digital age was headed. Previously, money was made hand over fist throwing anything up and few cared about any sort of metrics aside from the above mentioned Conversion Rate (CR).

Now, since tube sites and the continuing consolidation in the industry, you see more companies adapting marketing methodologies and techniques in order to not only stay relevant, but also increase revenue overall.

You should understand to improve traffic quality, analytics are ABSOLUTELY what addresses this issue.

[danep]

Originally Posted by Neighbor

In your comment, you say



So based on that quote, conversion rates never sway in either direction, it is what it is and can't be optimized? I find that to be incredibly short sighted imho...

Conversion rates are the 30000 ft view of a sales funnel, traffic/sales. The easiest metric to evaluate. There should be a funnel setup for any traffic coming to a site. You should WANT to know the metrics of someone who turned into a mailer signup, free trial, lead or a full sale from ANY marketing you are doing, paid, organic or otherwise. Then know if that converted into something else afterwards.

Does optimizing your traffic ever come into play? Aside from "this source is only converting at 1:10000 and this other one is converting 3:10000 so let's throw more to that one?" or is there deeper evaluation and optimization being tested such as various A/B testing of various landing pages, price points, geo-target, promotions, etc?

One thing I have seen since the wild wild west days in the early 2000s in this industry is the move to really understand marketing in the digital age by those who understood where the digital age was headed. Previously, money was made hand over fist throwing anything up and few cared about any sort of metrics aside from the above mentioned Conversion Rate (CR).

Now, since tube sites and the continuing consolidation in the industry, you see more companies adapting marketing methodologies and techniques in order to not only stay relevant, but also increase revenue overall.

You should understand to improve traffic quality, analytics are ABSOLUTELY what addresses this issue.

John you're my new Rabbi I'm in Vanilla PPC on Google, FB, IG, LinkedIn, and Outbrain to name but a few, and there isn't a day I don't ask myself how do I stay relevant. I can only assume that in our industry it exists as well. We're no longer in the early 2000's, and being able to sell to millennial crowds are necessary for us in order to stay in the game. That means that analytics and data are a must Just my humble opinion though.

[NALEM]

Originally Posted by GspotProductions

a paid signup, it could be classed as a trial, lucky for my business model, I send a private clip and message to all my paying fans every morning, this encourages trial to full pass, giving the full conversion

Very smart

[The Porn Nerd]

Originally Posted by danep

So the only action of value to your business is when someone spends money on your website? I'm not criticizing, I'm simply asking as a novice.

This depends on what KIND of site you are talking about. A paysite? Then yes, the only "conversion" that matters is money going into your account (sales), whether they be $1 trial, full membership, etc.

But if you are re-directing traffic, selling traffic, selling ad impressions, etc - then no, the term "conversion" would not so much apply. Or rather, would mean a banner impression, or a click though on a banner or text link, type-ins to the URL advertised, etc. So it's not about 'sales' on those kinds of sites. At least not for the site owner. The advertiser will have a different definition of "conversion" which would probably include sales of some product, like cams, dating or dick pills.

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by Neighbor

In your comment, you say


So based on that quote, conversion rates never sway in either direction, it is what it is and can't be optimized? I find that to be incredibly short sighted imho...

Conversion rates are the 30000 ft view of a sales funnel, traffic/sales. The easiest metric to evaluate. There should be a funnel setup for any traffic coming to a site. You should WANT to know the metrics of someone who turned into a mailer signup, free trial, lead or a full sale from ANY marketing you are doing, paid, organic or otherwise. Then know if that converted into something else afterwards.

Does optimizing your traffic ever come into play? Aside from "this source is only converting at 1:10000 and this other one is converting 3:10000 so let's throw more to that one?" or is there deeper evaluation and optimization being tested such as various A/B testing of various landing pages, price points, geo-target, promotions, etc?

One thing I have seen since the wild wild west days in the early 2000s in this industry is the move to really understand marketing in the digital age by those who understood where the digital age was headed. Previously, money was made hand over fist throwing anything up and few cared about any sort of metrics aside from the above mentioned Conversion Rate (CR).

Now, since tube sites and the continuing consolidation in the industry, you see more companies adapting marketing methodologies and techniques in order to not only stay relevant, but also increase revenue overall.

You should understand to improve traffic quality, analytics are ABSOLUTELY what addresses this issue.

I guess you were thinking that this is the good moment to be smart but you are completely missing the point, not knowing my business model. I can't blame you because I would have to expose crucial data to explain how to find and target top quality traffic but I won't do that, especially in a public place, so let it be as you say, I am short-sighted, dumb, relying on luck and circumstances.

[danep]

Guys, I wanted us to enrich each other's knowledge. I don't want us to go into a clash of the egos kinda discussion.
That means that if we all consider a conversion to be a different action and goal by the users, it's a good thing. My whole point was to get a glimpse into how people think and work, and learn.
I come from a very user oriented sales funnel, that means any pop-up,redirection, o form too long to fill out from a mobile, is a deal breaker. This does not mean that every creative writer affiliate has to think like me though. Some people just focus on how to bring in the good traffic, and I love'm for that too.
As for conversions, some conversions I make are hot leads in order to sell a house, that means that no purchase will take place online, and that's one example of why a conversion definition and tracking that is tailor made to each business and strategy is important given my limited experience so far.

[Neighbor]

Let it be known this isn't a pissing match, just a discussion. No offense is meant in anything said, just trying to enrich lives with knowledge

Originally Posted by femdomdestiny

I guess you were thinking that this is the good moment to be smart but you are completely missing the point, not knowing my business model. I can't blame you because I would have to expose crucial data to explain how to find and target top quality traffic but I won't do that, especially in a public place, so let it be as you say, I am short-sighted, dumb, relying on luck and circumstances.

Correct, I don't know your exact business model. By your signature and site links, I'd assume SEO is your main area of focus as a traffic source and I am quite versed in that discipline. You optimize pages, target keywords/phrases in attempts for organic results, sending the surfer to a blog page or paysite, as an affiliate, with the mindset of a conversion. Then refine based solely on CR. Am I close? or is my assumption making an ass out of me?

My point was, that in your statement, you stated "most of us", which I took as "anyone targeting traffic for conversions", when in fact you were speaking on your own behalf apparently. One focused on what seems to be search engine traffic...mostly. One source of traffic in the marketing realm, whether paid or organic. So by saying "most of us" do you mean you? or people who do what you are doing? Clarification perhaps would clear that up.... because I am of the understanding the majority who run these sites study, or have someone who analyzes the analytics deeper then just CR.

Anywho, even optimizing for search engine traffic, ppc or organic, there are other metrics to track that can only enhance your results and increase ROI. Perhaps a 30,000 ft view is acceptable to some, and by only focusing on CR, I believe that's what you get. It eliminates the further optimization of campaigns that can take non-performing resources and place them in an area that is performing better. Quality traffic needs refinement unless it's not the desire of the person obtaining it.

Again, not a pissing contest, and not trying to divulge any of your crucial data. If you wanna chat I'm always around for the most part.

[femdomdestiny]

Originally Posted by Neighbor

Let it be known this isn't a pissing match, just a discussion. No offense is meant in anything said, just trying to enrich lives with knowledge



Correct, I don't know your exact business model. By your signature and site links, I'd assume SEO is your main area of focus as a traffic source and I am quite versed in that discipline. You optimize pages, target keywords/phrases in attempts for organic results, sending the surfer to a blog page or paysite, as an affiliate, with the mindset of a conversion. Then refine based solely on CR. Am I close? or is my assumption making an ass out of me?

My point was, that in your statement, you stated "most of us", which I took as "anyone targeting traffic for conversions", when in fact you were speaking on your own behalf apparently. One focused on what seems to be search engine traffic...mostly. One source of traffic in the marketing realm, whether paid or organic. So by saying "most of us" do you mean you? or people who do what you are doing? Clarification perhaps would clear that up.... because I am of the understanding the majority who run these sites study, or have someone who analyzes the analytics deeper then just CR.

Anywho, even optimizing for search engine traffic, ppc or organic, there are other metrics to track that can only enhance your results and increase ROI. Perhaps a 30,000 ft view is acceptable to some, and by only focusing on CR, I believe that's what you get. It eliminates the further optimization of campaigns that can take non-performing resources and place them in an area that is performing better. Quality traffic needs refinement unless it's not the desire of the person obtaining it.

Again, not a pissing contest, and not trying to divulge any of your crucial data. If you wanna chat I'm always around for the most part.

I really didn't ask to get involved in a neverending talk on forums with you and I see as a total waste of time answering those questions above. And time is the most valuable thing when you have the proper knowledge.

In other words, even if there are additional steps to tweak conversions and traffic quality (and no one is denying that of course), the main question is, is it worth of time. For me, time is a limited resource so I am choosing to spend it where I believe it will bring me most results. And for me, a good result is available free time coming from smart planning and long term strategy that is generating passive income. It doesn't have to be ideal but it has to be hard to replicate by competitors and part of a bigger picture (you definitely can't see from a few links in my sig).

As mentioned in some of my previous posts (another thread), this business can be conducted in so many different ways. Most of the webmasters are having their own formula and approach to business which is totally OK.

What is not ok are your wrong assumptions stated in your posts but I simply won't elaborate and spend time explaining. There are so many better businesswise things to do instead.

[Neighbor]

Carry on then. best of luck in what it is you do.

[CaptainHowdy]

[danep]

What I'm picking up here is that some affiliates may not be baffled by what I'm looking into in e-commerce and paysites.
That's totally okay, it's just that when I think of it as a consumer, I'm also limited by time and screen real-estate. I feel better knowing that there are actions and rewards for them before I pull out my credit card. Just my two cents, there's no black or white here, right or wrong.