SEM Tycoon

**imported_khalid** · 07-14-2006, 10:33 AM

Do you think there is still a market to profit from offering a proxy service?

(for those who don't know, proxy sites allow you to surf the internet secretly so you can get passed firewalls or school filters or hide what sites you are browsing from anyone else using your computer)

There are thousands out there but I regularly see them for sale on e.g. Sitepoint, and some are making a LOT of money.

**imported_Bas** · 07-14-2006, 10:41 AM

I think proxy sites in general aren't that good to have. They do make a decent amount of money, usually a few $xxx a month if you do it right, and some earn even more.
But they use a lot of bandwidth.

**imported_khalid** · 07-14-2006, 10:48 AM

but bandwidth is dirt cheap these days with the hosting market being saturated.

**imported_Bas** · 07-14-2006, 10:54 AM

That is true, I haven't owned a proxy site myself but you can basicly buy a script and a decent domain and start earning right away. Especially with YPN.

**imported_cyrus** · 07-14-2006, 11:18 AM

I would think targeting a proxy to a place like China would do well, atleast initially.

**imported_mattd** · 07-14-2006, 01:42 PM

I was thinking about this a fair bit - looking for new avenues

Something that I've not seen done really on generic proxy sites is a proper SSH tunnel system for a proxy - i.e. encrypted right down to the user's browser. A lot of firewalls etc will inspect the packets and block them, so using SSH for encryption will give it that extra edge

Would be great for people in China etc if they allow port 443 out.

**handsome rob** · 07-14-2006, 02:36 PM

Keep in mind that you will NEED a dedicated server with a lot of bandwidth to run a proper proxy site. Sure, budget hosting with 3GB/mo of bandwidth is super cheap. But you'd exhaust that in less than a day with a successful proxy site.

**imported_antman** · 07-23-2006, 10:20 PM

I run a proxy and it eats 500mb a day.

I generate around $1.30 average per day, and don't pay for the hosting.

It's a simple way to make revenue

**imported_khalid** · 07-23-2006, 10:22 PM

You should perhaps look into getting private ads on the site to generate more income! What site is it you run?

**imported_antman** · 07-23-2006, 10:25 PM

I run two, one of them in my signature.

I do run private ads, and that has generated a bit more revenue. $11 for 2 weeks for a 468x60 and $5 all up for all those text links for a week.

Should I change pricing?

**imported_khalid** · 07-23-2006, 10:28 PM

It all depends on how many hits you are getting etc.

I think you should perhaps edit your site to encorporate more banner spots and text links. You could make a lot more money.

Try have a header banner, a footer banner and text links on one side.

**imported_antman** · 07-23-2006, 10:47 PM

Seems like a good idea. I'll resign it to suit.

Would I earn more money selling links on the proxified pages as well?

Thanks khalid.

**imported_khalid** · 07-23-2006, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antman

Would I earn more money selling links on the proxified pages as well?

Perhaps it would be best to keep your ads only on the homepage and not overcrowding the user. Afterall, they may not like it and find another proxy thats more ad free.

**Decepti0n** · 07-24-2006, 09:14 AM

Proxy sites will always at least be visited, since proxy.org indexes most, and as more and more are banned at work/school, more and more will be sought

I was thinking of working on a brand new actual proxy program, like PHProxy, but sell it for around $10 (with a crapload of extra features)

But its a long way off