If you have ever had, or actually operate an online business you will know the need for traffic, traffic, traffic. Every where you look, everyone you talk to, they will all tell you to get as much traffic as possible to your site, by whatever means, in order to be successful. But does it always work?

If you are running an online business which is actually selling something or a service, then what you really need is focused traffic. Unless the traffic visiting your site is from the correct market then there is little chance of you increasing your income. There is a need for focused traffic in these situations, readers whom you know have an interest in your products, your services and your site. In the situation it is probably better to have less numbers, but more focused traffic.

However, if you site is for information only and you use the likes of Adsense for your income, then you can benefit in two ways from as much traffic as possible. If some of the people visiting your site end up not having an interest in what you have to offer, then there is a still a chance that they might click on one of your adverts – bringing income into your site.

On the other side of the coin, if they are interested in your site then assuming that your Adsense (or other online adverts) are focused onto your subject matter, there is also every chance that they will bring in advertising revenue.

Ideally you want traffic which is focused upon the subject of your site, but if you are buying a website based on traffic figures you should be aware that these can be doctored.

It is easy to pay a few dollars to one of these traffic sites, and receive thousands of visitors who will have no interest in your subject, or clicking on any of your adverts. This is often used by those looking to sell websites based on traffic. In this instance you should also base your decision to make an offer on the income which the site brings in – something which can often bear no relation to the traffic, and should ring alarms bells with you.