VoIP by ViaTalk


This is post is sponsored by ViaTalk. To view our policy on sponsored posts please click HERE.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a system that allows the delivery of normal telephone calls over a broadband (or fast dial-up) internet connection. ViaTalk, the sponsors of this post, provide an internet phone service to United States residential and business customers. Customers have 4 broadband phone service packages to choose from, all of which offer value whatever your telephone usage.

The ViaTalk unlimited packages offers unlimited VoIP calls in the US and Canada, call waiting, voicemail, caller ID, caller return and a whole range of other benefits. The residential unlimited package is USD $229 a year. This is great value for anyone making a lot of local and national calls.

The ViaTalk services are also supported by a comprehensive online knowledgebase and 24/7 technical support. If you'd like more information please surf to the ViaTalk website.

AdSense Earnings and Payment

The AdSense payment schedule.

Assuming you have attracted a steady number of legitimate clicks on your ads you have a big milestone to look forward to - your first payment. Before receiving your first payment you will need to verify your account details by entering a PIN. You will automatically be sent your PIN once you have reached your first USD $50 of AdSense earnings. The purpose of this is to confirm your home/business address.

Once your account is verified you will get paid a month in arrears (eg. January's payment comes in late February) after you have accumulated USD $100 in your AdSense account. If you don't reach USD $100 in a month your balance rolls over to the next month.

There are two methods of payment you can choose between:

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT):
Google is able to make electronic funds transfer directly to your chosen bank account. Payment is usually in the local currency so there's no need to worry about the exchange rate or conversion. The process is quick, efficient and there is less chance of your payment going adrift in the mail. Sign up for electronic funds transfer as follows:
  • Sign in to your account at www.google.co.uk/adsense.
  • Click My Account.
  • Click the edit link adjacent to the Payment Details header.
  • In the Electronic Funds Transfer section, select the Add a new bank account radio button.
  • Click Continue.
  • Enter the requested bank account information. Your account page will provide details on what information is required. If you are unsure, please contact your bank to obtain this information. Click Save Changes.
  • At this point, AdSense will begin the process of depositing a small test amount into the publisher's bank account. Check your bank statements after 4-10 days to find a deposit from either 'Google' or 'BFS'.
Once you have the test deposit amount:
  • Click the My Account tab.
  • In the Payment Details section, click Verify this account.
  • In the box provided, enter the test deposit amount that you received in your bank account
  • Click Next. Once you have correctly entered your test deposit verification amount, your bank account will be approved and automatically selected as your form of payment
It usually takes one whole payment cycle to set up an electronic funds transfer.

Check (Cheque) Payment:
The default method of payment is by check (cheque). Google makes check payments of USD $100 or more a month in arrears. Checks are dispatched by surface mail and usually take 3 - 6 weeks to arrive. In most cases checks are made out in the local currency. To activate payments by standard delivery check do the following:
  • Sign in to your account at www.google.com/adsense.
  • Click My Account.
  • Click the edit link adjacent to the Payment Details header.
  • Select the Cheque Standard Delivery radio button.
  • Click Continue.
  • Select your desired currency from the drop-down list. You may choose to receive payment in United States dollars, or in your local currency if available.
  • Click Save Settings to save your payment type, or click Cancel to exit this screen without saving.

AdSense Optimisation: Creating Channels 2: Custom Channels

Recall that URL channels can be used to compare how your ads perform on different sites. This is essential information for optimising your site - getting the best results possible with your ad formats and positioning. Custom channels go one step further and allow you to see how a particular page, ad unit, search box or referral button is performing. Each custom channel relates to a different ad characteristic. Think carefully about which ad environments or characteristics you want to monitor and choose descriptive names for each channel.

Set up a new custom channel by generating a channel name and then generating the ad code associated with that channel.

Create a new custom channel name as follows:
  • Log into your AdSense account.
  • Click on the AdSense Setup tab.
  • Click on the Channels link.
  • Select either the AdSense for content, AdSense for search or Referrals tab in the panel that appears.
  • Click Custom Channels.
  • In the box that appears type a memorable and descriptive name for that channel (eg 'homepageleaderboardtop' etc).
  • Click Add Channels to add your new channel name to the Active Channels list.
Now you need to generate the ad code associated with that channel:
  • Click on the AdSense Setup tab.
  • Select either the AdSense for content, AdSense for search or Referrals tab in the panel that appears.
  • Select the desired ad format and colour palette then click Continue.
  • Select up to five custom channels (named previously as above) from the Channel list by clicking the add>> link then clicking Continue.
  • Select the ad code and paste it into your webpage.
To move a page to a different channel simply update the code.

AdSense/AdWords Users - Have Your Say

Users of the Google AdSense/AdWords programs please spend a few moments to complete our short poll. The topic is AdSense account suspension.












I shall publish key findings in a few weeks time.