ScratchBack Advertising - Another Widget That Makes You Money - by Jim Kukral

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I stumbled across this new beta application called ScratchBack the other day and I have to say I am very excited about it. Not only can I sell ad space in a unique way but I can also buy ad space on other sites using this application. ScratchBack is basically a widget that allows interested advertisers or grateful readers to buy a text link or image link that is displayed in a widget.

ScratchBack widget allows you to offer cheap quick advertising spots. With the TopSpots list you can sell cheap links that will move to the top as new spots are sold. For instance if you buy a TopSpot your link will appear at the top and the last link will move down one. I think it’s an ingenious idea because this allows your advertisers inexpensive options that can be purchased on impulse.

So far I have purchased two $1 ads and one $5 text link on other blogs. It was a very simple and because the ads where so cheap is why I did it. They were impulse buys but I was glad to have to opportunity to have my website get some exposure. It’s hard to resist advertising that only costs a dollar on a high traffic website.

You have the option of setting purchased links to display as an Auto Bump or run for 24 hours, 1 week or a 30 days. You can also set your widget to show 5, 10, 15, or 20 spots. Prices can be set at any amount but the ScratchBack takes 50/50 after PayPal fees. While the widget is in beta you can get 90% after PayPal fees.

As a ScratchBack user you can create multiple widgets for different sites, track your earnings, approve sold links and/or images and choose different widget looks. At this time they offer only a few different color options and styles but I think they are trying to expand options. You can customize your widget by downloading the TopSpots artwork zip file but you have to send changes back to ScratchBack for approval. The option is only free while in beta, otherwise it is $50 to customize the widget.

I think this new widget has a lot of potential and could very possibly be the next big advertising option. In my opinion this type of advertising option allows advertisers or grateful readers the ability to purchase cheap advertising, giving everyone the chance to have their “name” seen on high traffic websites. Plus advertiser are given the opportunity to offer cheap advertising without having to keep up with emails. The only thing I don’t particularly like is the fact that when the beta testing is over the ScratchBack will be taking a 50/50 cut. I think that amount is too high. Just been informed that they will not be taking the 50/50 split after beta but possibly 70/30 or 90/10. Though ScratchBack is offering a great widget they are not bringing any traffic to your site with verse programs like Text-Link-Ads. I would suggest that ScratchBack take no more than a 70/30 cut because otherwise someone will create a free widget that does the same thing and people will have no reason to use the service. Free is always better unless there is something better to offer.

All in all I think the widget is a great idea and can’t wait to see if it generates income for this blog. I will be testing this widget for a month to see if it works well here. Links are only $1.00 with new ads always at the top of the list. By the way the links don’t offer advertisers any link juice. This is good for those concerned with punishment from Google but could deter those that are don’t worry about such things.

For updated information about this beta check out the ScratchBack blog.