Ad Networks Series. Network 8: WidgetBucks

WidgetBucks is a Cost Per Click (CPC) and Cost Per Mille  (CPM) advertising network. The ads are displayed through a widget and are contextual (i.e. related to your content).

Signing up is easy and takes a few seconds. After creating an account, next thing is to add your blog URL to Widget Bucks. This can be done from the My Account Account option. You will have to wait until your site is approved. Once approved, you need to get the code to install the widget.

Referral Program: You get 15% of earnings of referred friends for first 12 months.

Payout: You can get payment via PayPal after you reach $50.

When creating the widget, you need to choose channels. Here is a quick look on them:

1. Shopping: Displays shopping deals related to content.
2. Local: Displays local deals based on visitor's location.
3. Travel: Displays travel deals based on visitor's location.

Next step is to choose Widget style, size, skin and rotation interval. Make sure you uncheck the Allow pop under ads, the last option. After you customize the widget, click Get Code and place the code on your blog.

Pros:

1. Ads are different and eye-catching. Your visitors can not ignore these as easily as they can ignore AdSense or others.
2. CPM is quite hign, between $3-$6 per 1000 visits. You will still be earning money if you do not get clicks.
3. If your blog is about product reviews, you will earn well.

Cons:

1. Ads can not be customized much. Only some default themes are available. You can design your own ad but that will require lot of work with graphics.
2. On slow connections,  widget may take ages to load.
3. Some readers may not like the animations as products auto scroll.

If you have a blog about product reviews or travelling WidgetBucks can be a good earner. So, go ahead, Join WidgetBucks. (Disclaimer: This is not an Affiliate Link! Really!)