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Squeeze page or blog?

by JoeMartin
25 replies
Hey warriors!

So I am curious...What are everybody's thoughts about which of these two options you prefer and WHY?

Option 1: You have a short report written for a niche your looking to get into. You create a squeeze page for the report and give it away for free to build your list. You build traffic to the squeeze page through things other than SEO(since Google hates sqeeze pages). You send your list valuable info and then send them products to monetize.

Option 2: You still have the same short report written. You create a wordpress blog about your niche and drive traffic to it through various means. On the sides of the pages you have your offer. Enter your info here for this free report. You collect emails and then send the valuable info and products.

So the two options don't really vary in the end. These are very basic, but the goal is building that list. What I want your thoughts on is whether you believe it's better to use only the squeeze page or create a blog with the email capture on the side.

I cannot come up with a real opinion because I see both sides. I believe that a squeeze page MUST convert better or else it never would have become such a common thing. People would have just used blogs. I guess that since it focuses on solely getting that email the conversions are better. At the same time, I think that if you use a blog, you will get more traffic because of Google. The downside of this is that you will have to continually put up articles on your site to keep that traffic. You cannot just focus on your list.

So what are everyone's thoughts? Thanks!

--Joe
#blog #page #squeeze
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    Do BOTH.

    For example, have a squeeze page in the root of your
    domain and a blog in a subdirectory - e.g. /blog/

    It depends upon what your objectives are.

    For me, my #1 priority is building the list so I prefer to
    direct traffic to a focused squeeze page.

    You'll build a list faster if you direct your traffic to a
    squeeze page because the opt-in conversion rates are
    so much higher vs. a blog header or sidebar offer.

    But you can still build a blog with more open content in
    a sub-directory (like /blog/) and then get search engine
    traffic from there too.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author JoeMartin
      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      Do BOTH.

      For example, have a squeeze page in the root of your
      domain and a blog in a subdirectory - e.g. /blog/

      It depends upon what your objectives are.

      For me, my #1 priority is building the list so I prefer to
      direct traffic to a focused squeeze page.

      You'll build a list faster if you direct your traffic to a
      squeeze page because the opt-in conversion rates are
      so much higher vs. a blog header or sidebar offer.

      But you can still build a blog with more open content in
      a sub-directory (like /blog/) and then get search engine
      traffic from there too.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      Awesome idea! I had thought about this. If you sent out a regular newsletter, then you could take many of the post and make them articles on the blog! Granted, that wouldn't be enough post to really get a blog receiving a decent amount of search engine traffic so there would need to be more article post. Building the list is definitely my biggest priority too. I'm a firm believer that the money is in the list.

      But if I were to use one domain and subdomain for the squeeze page and blog, wouldn't it be better to have the blog as the main domain and the squeeze as the sub? I believe(could be wrong) that the main domain will get more search engine traffic which is what we want the blog to get. There's no point in trying to get the squeeze page that kind of traffic. Does this make sense or am I just delusional at this point?

      Thanks!

      --Joe
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    • Profile picture of the author Val Wilson
      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      Do BOTH.

      For example, have a squeeze page in the root of your
      domain and a blog in a subdirectory - e.g. /blog/

      It depends upon what your objectives are.

      For me, my #1 priority is building the list so I prefer to
      direct traffic to a focused squeeze page.

      You'll build a list faster if you direct your traffic to a
      squeeze page because the opt-in conversion rates are
      so much higher vs. a blog header or sidebar offer.

      But you can still build a blog with more open content in
      a sub-directory (like /blog/) and then get search engine
      traffic from there too.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      I totally agree with Shaun - the 2 complement eachother, so you should do both.

      IMO, it does not matter if the squeeze page is on the home page, or on an internal page, but personally I prefer it on the home page. And if you do a good link building campaign, you can get your squeeze page to rank in google, especially if you have a lot of other good content on the site linking back to it. I wouldn't write the search engines off as a form of traffic for any page, even squeeze pages.
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    • Profile picture of the author Andrew Polanski
      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      Do BOTH.

      For example, have a squeeze page in the root of your
      domain and a blog in a subdirectory - e.g. /blog/

      It depends upon what your objectives are.

      For me, my #1 priority is building the list so I prefer to
      direct traffic to a focused squeeze page.

      You'll build a list faster if you direct your traffic to a
      squeeze page because the opt-in conversion rates are
      so much higher vs. a blog header or sidebar offer.

      But you can still build a blog with more open content in
      a sub-directory (like /blog/) and then get search engine
      traffic from there too.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      Just to build off what Shaun said...

      When you do both you will obviously build a larger list. But on top of that, when you go to send out promotions, your blog will actually help you get more sales for whatever products you decide to promote to your list.

      Instead of sending out an email with the pitch inside there and the affiliate link in the email, send them to a blog post with the "sales pitch".

      That is a lot more trust-worthy in their eyes because it's not the usual pitchfest that they commonly receive from other marketer's lists.
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      Local Niche Power - Exact Strategy Used to Generate $450,000 in 3 Months
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Al
    You've hit the nail on the head.

    Squeeze pages convert better but blogs will get you more organic traffic. Personally in the IM niche I focus on squeeze pages simply because my traffic isn't organic search traffic.

    In other niches (ie. I have a fitness related blog I'm working on) I just keep adding content and build my list with an opt-in form in the sidebar - above the fold - exit pop and opt-in form under each post. I will add a squeeze page too but since my traffic is mainly free from long tail keywords - new blog posts are my focus.
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    • Profile picture of the author JoeMartin
      Originally Posted by Big Al View Post

      You've hit the nail on the head.

      Squeeze pages convert better but blogs will get you more organic traffic. Personally in the IM niche I focus on squeeze pages simply because my traffic isn't organic search traffic.

      In other niches (ie. I have a fitness related blog I'm working on) I just keep adding content and build my list with an opt-in form in the sidebar - above the fold - exit pop and opt-in form under each post. I will add a squeeze page too but since my traffic is mainly free from long tail keywords - new blog posts are my focus.
      Awesome! I'm curious to know how the squeeze page would work within that niche. Is the conversion rate for getting emails decent for your fitness blog? Hopefully that's not too much to ask! I don't need specifics, just curious if it was doing well or not as well as you'd think.

      Thanks!

      --Joe
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  • Profile picture of the author tlrix
    I prefer option 2
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  • Profile picture of the author goldmineberry
    Banned
    I would recommend doing both.

    For myself, I am into Niche Marketing and I have built for myself many lucrative niche sites over the years.

    Doing niche marketing by building multiple profitable niche sites can definitely make good money online.

    If you are serious about building a successful Internet marketing business, you will need to consider building sites that you have 100% ownership and control over.

    An excellent way to start is to get yourself a reliable web hosting account and use self-hosted Wordpress to build your money-making websites.

    WordPress is the premium website of choice these days for anything that anyone might want to put up on the web, and it is a known fact that the benefits of having a WordPress website are vast.

    WordPress allows people an outlet to showcase different things: a blog for hobbies from food to celebrities; a place to sell things or make money online; or even just for the creation of their own personal websites. WordPress gives them the freedom to be creative and to customize their websites the way they want to.

    WordPress provides an easy and immediate means of getting a site set up and getting your online wheels rolling.

    Let me know if you need my expertise to help you build a portfolio of lucrative niche wordpress sites.

    All the best to your online marketing endeavours!
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by JoeMartin View Post

    So the two options don't really vary in the end. These are very basic, but the goal is building that list. What I want your thoughts on is whether you believe it's better to use only the squeeze page or create a blog with the email capture on the side.
    You can, as mentioned above, use both.

    The ultimate answer is to split-test for yourself, of course.

    It depends on many factors (including, especially I think, the traffic demographics).

    As I've described in a few other threads, I split-tested this in 4 different niches, last year, over a 6-month period, and found that in all 4 I built a bigger list from the squeeze pages but earned more money from the resulting lists built without them (i.e. with just a prominently incentivized opt-in on a landing-page of a content-rich site). So I don't use squeeze pages any more.

    I think the specific mistake to avoid, here, is the assumption (because that's all it is) that building a bigger list will necessarily lead to more long-term income.

    When I tested, I actually found the exact opposite (independently, 4 times over, in 4 unrelated niches).
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    • Profile picture of the author jgant
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      You can, as mentioned above, use both.

      The ultimate answer is to split-test for yourself, of course.

      It depends on many factors (including, especially I think, the traffic demographics).

      As I've described in a few other threads, I split-tested this in 4 different niches, last year, over a 6-month period, and found that in all 4 I built a bigger list from the squeeze pages but earned more money from the resulting lists built without them (i.e. with just a prominently incentivized opt-in on a landing-page of a content-rich site). So I don't use squeeze pages any more.

      I think the specific mistake to avoid, here, is the assumption (because that's all it is) that building a bigger list will necessarily lead to more long-term income.

      When I tested, I actually found the exact opposite (independently, 4 times over, in 4 unrelated niches).
      This is a very interesting point and if it's the case for many other websites, it could save you a lot of effort. Driving traffic to squeeze pages is time-consuming.

      I've never tested this with my sites, but I don't doubt it. I suspect people who opt in through a sidebar opt-in form do so because they like the blog's content and want more; whereas a squeeze page subscriber more often than not simply wants the freebie offer.

      In my experience my subscribers from the sidebar have a lower unsubscribe rate which supports the point above by Alexa. I haven't tracked revenue though.

      Also consider your working preferences. I tend to prefer writing blog posts than working on driving traffic to squeeze pages. It works for me by increasing traffic and I gain subscribers as well as affiliate sales from my blog posts.

      If you despise writing, then focusing on traffic to your squeeze page may be best for you using paid traffic sources and JVs.
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      • Profile picture of the author TopKat22
        Originally Posted by jgant View Post

        This is a very interesting point and if it's the case for many other websites, it could save you a lot of effort. Driving traffic to squeeze pages is time-consuming.

        I've never tested this with my sites, but I don't doubt it. I suspect people who opt in through a sidebar opt-in form do so because they like the blog's content and want more; whereas a squeeze page subscriber more often than not simply wants the freebie offer.

        In my experience my subscribers from the sidebar have a lower unsubscribe rate which supports the point above by Alexa. I haven't tracked revenue though.

        Also consider your working preferences. I tend to prefer writing blog posts than working on driving traffic to squeeze pages. It works for me by increasing traffic and I gain subscribers as well as affiliate sales from my blog posts.

        If you despise writing, then focusing on traffic to your squeeze page may be best for you using paid traffic sources and JVs.
        I did a similar test for myself but over a longer time and I have done much better with the squeeze pages.

        However, I do believe that the best is a doing both.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
        Banned
        Originally Posted by jgant View Post

        This is a very interesting point and if it's the case for many other websites, it could save you a lot of effort. Driving traffic to squeeze pages is time-consuming.
        I agree ... I think that in my case, it was because of the traffic demographics.

        And although my niches are completely different and unrelated, there's a substantial element of my traffic demographics being the same.

        People who like my articles come to my site looking for "more of the same" and opt in because they're specifically promised "more of the same" and can see that "there's a lot of it about" before they decide whether or not to opt in. Which (I think) is why content-rich sites build me better quality income-producing lists than squeeze pages do, though squeeze page lists are bigger.

        This won't necessarily apply to everyone, though.

        Originally Posted by jgant View Post

        I suspect people who opt in through a sidebar opt-in form do so because they like the blog's content and want more; whereas a squeeze page subscriber more often than not simply wants the freebie offer.
        I completely agree.

        At the time I split-tested this, I was genuinely surprised by the results.

        But that's my theory, anyway.

        And I'm confident enough about it (a) to have applied its results to all my other niches, and (b) to stick to it in future, with new niches, I think (assuming I promote more or less the same way, which I'm likely to).

        Originally Posted by jgant View Post

        If you despise writing, then focusing on traffic to your squeeze page may be best for you using paid traffic sources and JVs.
        Yes, I think this is right.

        What we're doing may work better for people who like writing, for exactly the reasons you suggest.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dean Shainin
      Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

      You can, as mentioned above, use both.

      The ultimate answer is to split-test for yourself, of course.

      It depends on many factors (including, especially I think, the traffic demographics).

      As I've described in a few other threads, I split-tested this in 4 different niches, last year, over a 6-month period, and found that in all 4 I built a bigger list from the squeeze pages but earned more money from the resulting lists built without them (i.e. with just a prominently incentivized opt-in on a landing-page of a content-rich site). So I don't use squeeze pages any more.

      I think the specific mistake to avoid, here, is the assumption (because that's all it is) that building a bigger list will necessarily lead to more long-term income.

      When I tested, I actually found the exact opposite (independently, 4 times over, in 4 unrelated niches).
      This is the primary issue as mentioned in the above post and why you want to always split test. Without building trust and being an authority in your niche leads don't convert like they would if you have built a relationship first. Sure one can get one off sales here and there but for long term you need to give great content and over-deliver which builds trust...

      I've generated more sales with a list of about 200 people than a list with 5,000 people because of the way the lists were built.

      Cheers,
      Dean
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  • Profile picture of the author advertisethis
    Using the lightbox squeeze for the opt-in actually converts better than a sidebar widget. Giving the lightbox a little lag time helps avoid page bounces as readers get a chance to soak in your content. That helps on the google side as well as helping impress visitors to opt-in.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvanBeck
    The consensus is add a blog to your squeezer page. I always do this and then feed the blog with content using a paid plugin or a free service like SEO Link Vine, or Unique Article Wizard. Don't forget to add some related RSS feeds. This will help to keep the blog fresh.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dimian
    more options the better, do both to make your chances of success even greater
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  • Profile picture of the author anthony2
    I agree with the previous post.

    You should do both.

    For me the traffic i would be sending my traffic too
    would be the squeeze page because it converts better.

    The blog would be in the backend...I would use it to
    build a relationship with my subscribers.

    If i had to pick one then squeeze page would be my choice.
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  • Profile picture of the author bumba1988
    I don't know if this works or not (Because I personally haven't tried it, but, got the idea from a fellow webmaster), however, you can create a blog. Don't have anything in the sidebars, however, make sure a window pops up after a visitor spends around 30 seconds in a blog post (You can obviously customize the time when you use something like Pop Um domination).

    According to my friend, the conversion was great. Moreover, the quality of lead was very good. They were willing to get more information and mostly were ready to pay the price.

    I'll conclude stating that I haven't tried doing this, so, I cannot say that this works 100%, however, the idea seemed good to me and hence thought like sharing it over here.
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    • Profile picture of the author Courtney Lee
      It really all depends what you are after. A blog aka Wordpress is #1 for SEO; however, if you need a sales landing page, you obviously can't on-page-SEO very well due to the sales copy, etc.--but the landing page will convert better.

      It really depends on your niche and what you are selling!
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  • Profile picture of the author JasonParker
    Short-term + Long-term Income = Squeeze Page

    Long-term Income = Blog
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  • Profile picture of the author TheInternet
    The question is a lot like "should I run context ads or affiliate offers?" If you can make both work, there's no reason not to do both. It's up to personal preference and skills.

    I like the idea of eventually not needing PPC or heavy promotion to build my list, so I went with a blog. The main rule in making money anywhere ever: try things, study results, learn, try more things. These are things to try.
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  • Profile picture of the author TopKat22
    Both. Once I found out how to put up squeeze pages fast on the main domain page and then add a blog to a subdomain, all I had to do was get traffic.

    I had no web design knowledge at all so this was really a great find.

    This way, if people find me via the blog, I can promote the sign up to my list however, I primarily promote my squeeze page.

    I have increased it to 4 different niches now because once I get one get continual traffic, I just move on.
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  • Profile picture of the author World Marketing
    I would definitely do both...Squeeze pages can convert very well and building your list is very valuable...
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  • Profile picture of the author jryan8121
    Both... and try to BUILD YOUR LIST (this should be your mail goal). The money's in the list.
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