Amazon links: Text and Image vs. Text Only

9 replies
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I will soon be starting a website and I plan on putting a few links to Amazon products in it. I know that widgets have very low CTR and people often ignore them, unless they have come to the website with the sole intention of buying, which is a tiny chance.

So many of the discussions here on the forum are about whether one should use text links or widgets. My question is: what is your experience with using text only, and text and image links. I kind of prefer text only links, and believe that they will have a better conversion rate. Is it niche and blog-theme dependable? Any thoughts?
#amazon #image #links #text
  • Profile picture of the author Stevie C
    I find contextual text links convert the best but I also make my images click-able links. I wouldn't use the widgets that Amazon provide as they are particularly ugly.
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    • Profile picture of the author NoMoreWords
      Originally Posted by Stevie C View Post

      I find contextual text links convert the best but I also make my images click-able links. I wouldn't use the widgets that Amazon provide as they are particularly ugly.
      Yes, widgets are somehow irrelevant to most style sites and they somehow repel readers.
      However, I was not talking about the images on my site. When I get the link from amazon associates, they offer the option to only get a link, or a link with a picture of the product above it. I stick to keeping my blog images clean atm.
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  • Profile picture of the author drem
    Originally Posted by NoMoreWords View Post

    I will soon be starting a website and I plan on putting a few links to Amazon products in it. I know that widgets have very low CTR and people often ignore them, unless they have come to the website with the sole intention of buying, which is a tiny chance.

    So many of the discussions here on the forum are about whether one should use text links or widgets. My question is: what is your experience with using text only, and text and image links. I kind of prefer text only links, and believe that they will have a better conversion rate. Is it niche and blog-theme dependable? Any thoughts?
    I have found that linking both helps truthfully. Some people will automatically click on the product's picture and others will click the text link. I have found that more people actually click on the link in the text because it is more natural. I suppose if they are reading an article, the little extra push for them to click is all that they need.

    I hate the widgets though. They never seem to do much for me. I suppose people are truly ad blind now lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author wally247
    Yea, just always copy the text link and put it on the images in your posts and contextual like the guy above said. Add a strong call to action like ===> BUY THIS THING NOW <=== and make a bundle.

    Hopefully.
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    • Profile picture of the author NoMoreWords
      Originally Posted by wally247 View Post

      Yea, just always copy the text link and put it on the images in your posts and contextual like the guy above said. Add a strong call to action like ===> BUY THIS THING NOW <=== and make a bundle.

      Hopefully.
      I think this sounds a bit aggressive. Personally, when I enter a website which has such aggressive call to actions, I leave immediately. I'm more into convincing people that they would be a lot better with the product I am promoting than without it. But I suppose I could give it a try.
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      • Profile picture of the author AmazonGuy
        For a higher conversion rate using both with a call to action would be the best , but how many affiliate links on lets say a 500 word article is bad ???

        Some people have been flamming me on a thread I made because I only link images... I have sold alot more on amazon then NichePursuits guy but because everyone knows him heres a link to just get some people to understand why

        How to Get a Google Penalty Using Affiliate Links (And How to Recover) | Niche Pursuits
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  • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
    Linking your image with a in-text call to action at the end of the 500-word article is fine and converts best. Many of my sites also include a link near the beginning of the article/review as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    I usually do the following:

    - Image linking to the product. (left aligned with the start of the content.)

    - A few contextual links sprinkled throughout.

    - A brief call to action in the middle of the text, and at the bottom.

    If you want to get a little "grey hat" you can crop a screenshot of the video player (if the product has a video review on Amazon) and place it somewhere on your page. This gets a LOT of clicks.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulgl
    Originally Posted by NoMoreWords View Post

    ... unless they have come to the website with the sole intention of buying, which is a tiny chance.
    There's your problem. Make a site where you get people who have intention
    of buying. I could give more tips and examples, but I've done that many
    times before.

    I don't know where you heard the falsehood of people ignoring amazon
    widgets and hainge very low CTR. Steer clear of that guy. Does he
    live in a cave by any chance?

    If yours do, it's not amazon's fault. And that does not mean we
    all fall into that category.

    Paul
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    If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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