New format on hub

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   ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years ago

   Hey there - I just re-worked the format on an old Christmas hub.  I'm trying to learn a little more about optimizing for Google Ads and such.  I could use some critiques on format, space for ad placement and just overall whether the hub looks too busy now.  I liked the look of it before, but it didn't look to me like the ads were placed in any logical place that might invite a click or two.
   
   Thoughts welcome!
   Thanks!
   
   http://hubpages.com/hub/Holiday-Gifts-f … -or-in-law

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      wildernessposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I would suggest making the first text capsule a little longer - enough to accommodate the first google ad to the right of it.  This is a prime spot for a google ad - don't lose it.  Even if the hub is aimed at Amazon ads, there is little reason to lose the big google ad.
      
      I didn't care for the placement of the amazon ads for a cap and headliner - they seem to be in the middle of nowhere.  You could either delete them or make a double column of sports gifts under the text instead of one to the side and one underneath.
      
      You have place links to outside sources in the middle of the hub - if readers use them you will lose that reader without ever having seen the rest of your hub.
      
      To me, the lowest amazon ad, for funny t_shirts, is kind of lonely as well and disrupts the visual appearance of the link capsule.  You might either add another ad to the left column or delete the t-shirt ad.
      
      The second google ad is just above Amazon ads, which I personally try to avoid.  If you can make another short text capsule to insert under the first one that adsense ad will go under it, between the second and third capsules.  This need not be long at all, and maybe without a header at all; just enough to provide a capsule for google to recognize.

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      1. 73

         ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Wilderness these were a few of the issues I was concerned about.
         
         The amazon cap thingy wound up there when I re-formatted, and I don't like it.  I'll mess around with that.  And, I totally forgot about allowing enough text in the first capsule for that big ad! Thanks!  That was something I had just learned when I sort of took a writing hiatus (I'm back in school, and having trouble squeezing hp in along w/ the kids, full time job, etc.)
         
         The t-shirt amazon link at the bottom is b/c I don't have specific products linked there... so, when amazon happens to choose an item w/ a shorter description, it looks good... that t-shirt one is ridiculously long.  Not sure what to do there.
         
         As for the links... would you suggest cutting them entirely? Or just moving them to the bottom?
         
         Thanks so much for the feedback!

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   2. 73

      bogerkposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Based on advice I got in a forum a couple of weeks ago, I would suggest breaking up your paragraphs a little more.
      
      I have been informed that more white space is good for internet readers as they "scan" more so than say someone reading a newspaper article or novel.
      
      But, I am fairly new at all of this myself and am just repeating the advice of a more established Hubber.
      
      Good Luck!

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2. 73

   ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years ago

   Ok, made some more changes... I like it better, but still not sure.  Any thoughts would be great! 
   
   And, thanks Wilderness... I got that big ad! woo hoo!

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   1. 59

      akeetlebeetleposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Thoughtful, I took a look at your hub and I liked how you snaked your amazon capsules back and forth.
      
      The only thing I can see is that you need to break up your paragraphs. No more than 2 or 3 sentences or people's eyes start to drift away to greener pastures.
      
      Good luck!

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         ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for looking akeetabeetle!

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3. 73

   ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years ago

   Thanks bogerk.  New or not... you've got a few hubs on me!  And, I still have a TON to learn.

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4. 71

   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   Hey Thoughtfulspot,
   
   I thought I would let you know, I like the arrangement of your hub. And, I do suggest breaking your paragraphs down to smaller sections.
   
   Your readers are going to have a short attention span, just like most online readers, customers or buyers/consumers.
   
   My other suggestion is to add more keywords/tags. It has been suggested that up to 15-20 keywords maximum for articles of up to 1500 words and a minimum of 9 keywords should be used at all times.
   
   If your article goes over 1500 words, then you can apply up to 40 keywords/tags for the hub.

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   1. 73

      ThoughtfulSpotposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Great advice Cags, thanks.
      
      I always have trouble with shorter paragraphs, its so not my writing style, but I suppose I should try to remember it, especially for the articles that are driving amazon ads, as opposed to the hubs I write solely for my own enjoyment.
      
      And, thank you for the keyword advice.  I'm still learning a lot about that.  I've used more keywords in newer hubs, but this is an older one I re-vamped, and I forgot to look at the keywords!
      
      Nice to see you around.  Hope all is well.

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