Sitescout vs google display?

13 years ago

Depends on what you want to do really - like everything else

Google Display
Pros:
Great targeting - While others use 3rd party contextual targeting plugins, it might not work as good as Google's contextual targeting
Access to search data while targeting - Cant really beat that
Simple to use - especially if you have prior experience using Google Adwords for SEM
Cons:
Limited inventory - your ads only appear on AdSense ad units. No Yahoo, Facebook, SSPs etc
Limited reach - follows on from the above point
Limited creative optimization - combined with the above 2 points makes Google Display a limited platform for retargeting
Lack of transparency - works like a black box
No access to 3rd party sources of data like BlueKai and eXelate

SiteScout, AdRoll, Perfect Audience and Others
Pros:
Varied inventory sources - Access to SSPs, Facebook, Yahoo AND Google AdSense
More transparent - as compared to Google Display
Better creative optimization options - Combined with the transparency and inventory/reach makes it a great platform for retargeting
Access to 3rd party sources of data like BlueKai and eXelate
Cons:
More complex - than Google Display
No access to search data
Higher monthly spends - This again depends. Last I looked it was USD 500 on SiteScout and AdRoll and USD 100 on Perfect Audience. These guys have been in the forefront of bring retargeting and display media to the SMB advertiser. For a platform like AppNexus - you would need to spend USD 100,000 a month for seat on the platform!

If you are looking to attract visitors to your properties, you couldnt go wrong with either. I would suggest you start with Google Display - especially if you have prior experience with Google AdWords and SEM.

In case you are looking to retarget visitors who have already been on your site and shown interest in your products (searches for a product or visits your pricing page), I would recommend that you go with a vendor like SiteScout, AdRoll or Perfect Audience.

Hope this was of help and I have not confused you further with my rambled answer. Do let me know if you have further questions.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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roley

13 years ago

Originally Posted by firebringer

Depends on what you want to do really - like everything else

Google Display
Pros:
Great targeting - While others use 3rd party contextual targeting plugins, it might not work as good as Google's contextual targeting
Access to search data while targeting - Cant really beat that
Simple to use - especially if you have prior experience using Google Adwords for SEM
Cons:
Limited inventory - your ads only appear on AdSense ad units. No Yahoo, Facebook, SSPs etc
Limited reach - follows on from the above point
Limited creative optimization - combined with the above 2 points makes Google Display a limited platform for retargeting
Lack of transparency - works like a black box
No access to 3rd party sources of data like BlueKai and eXelate

SiteScout, AdRoll, Perfect Audience and Others
Pros:
Varied inventory sources - Access to SSPs, Facebook, Yahoo AND Google AdSense
More transparent - as compared to Google Display
Better creative optimization options - Combined with the transparency and inventory/reach makes it a great platform for retargeting
Access to 3rd party sources of data like BlueKai and eXelate
Cons:
More complex - than Google Display
No access to search data
Higher monthly spends - This again depends. Last I looked it was USD 500 on SiteScout and AdRoll and USD 100 on Perfect Audience. These guys have been in the forefront of bring retargeting and display media to the SMB advertiser. For a platform like AppNexus - you would need to spend USD 100,000 a month for seat on the platform!

If you are looking to attract visitors to your properties, you couldnt go wrong with either. I would suggest you start with Google Display - especially if you have prior experience with Google AdWords and SEM.

In case you are looking to retarget visitors who have already been on your site and shown interest in your products (searches for a product or visits your pricing page), I would recommend that you go with a vendor like SiteScout, AdRoll or Perfect Audience.

Hope this was of help and I have not confused you further with my rambled answer. Do let me know if you have further questions.

Very helpful. thanks

Thanks
1 reply

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firebringer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by roley

Very helpful. thanks

The pleasure is all mine friend. All mine.

Do let us know what you choose and how it all pans out!

Thanks
1 reply

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paulgl

13 years ago

Actually, yahoo is opening up to google ads. The
known civil world displays google ads.

The question is like asking, what would you rather have,
a pound of gold or a ton of manure?

Sure, if one was a farmer, a ton of manure might be more
useful...most people are not farmers.

Limited reach with google display? Surely you jest. Nobody
even compares to the number of places google has. Not
even close. So if google display has limited reach, than the ones
in comparison have zero reach.

Google does 3 times the business on the display network alone
than what facebook does total. Plus, the latest numbers
I have read, google ads have a CTR that is 10 times what FB
is. Comparing to any other network would be just as futile.

Paul

Thanks
1 reply

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

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roley

13 years ago

Originally Posted by paulgl

Actually, yahoo is opening up to google ads. The
known civil world displays google ads.

The question is like asking, what would you rather have,
a pound of gold or a ton of manure?

Sure, if one was a farmer, a ton of manure might be more
useful...most people are not farmers.

Limited reach with google display? Surely you jest. Nobody
even compares to the number of places google has. Not
even close. So if google display has limited reach, than the ones
in comparison have zero reach.

Google does 3 times the business on the display network alone
than what facebook does total. Plus, the latest numbers
I have read, google ads have a CTR that is 10 times what FB
is. Comparing to any other network would be just as futile.

Paul

Interesting paul

have you tried sitescout?

I tried it today 1st time. $50 spent, 19 clicks. 0 conversions.

Either my ads are crap or sites in sitescout aren't producing quality traffic.

Not sure if i should spend another $50 tommorow with different creatives or yank my funds and try googledisplay ads and blog ads

Though i will say this. Sitescout has amazing support service ( best I have seen ) and really really good interface that provides lots of detail. thumbs up on that. Can't give them a thumbs down on conversions as that could very well be down to my banners and landing page. Probably try another $50 tommorow and if nothing then pull it.