How to Choose a Solo Ad Vendor: 12 Checks Before You Pay

The safest way to pick a solo ad vendor is to check four things before you pay: real reviews from buyers, how the vendor filters clicks, what the report will show you, and what happens if delivery falls short. A good vendor answers all four in writing without being asked twice.

I sell solo ads, so read this with that in mind. These are the same questions I'd ask if I were buying, and the answers I give my own clients.

1. Are the reviews from people who actually paid?

Marketplace reviews are tied to real orders, which makes them harder to fake than testimonials on a vendor's own site. On Udimi, look at the rating, the number of reviews and how recent they are. A 5.0 from six reviews tells you less than a 4.8 from thirty.

2. Do the reviews mention opt-ins or only "fast delivery"?

Fast delivery is easy. Look for buyers who mention opt-in rates and sales. Those people tracked their results, and they were happy enough to say so.

3. Does the vendor count unique clicks?

Ask it directly: "Do I pay for raw or unique clicks?" Raw clicks include the same person clicking three times. You should only pay for unique visitors.

4. How are bots and link scanners filtered?

Many corporate email systems open every link in an email to check it for malware. Those hits look like clicks but no human was involved. A serious vendor removes them, along with bots and proxy or datacenter traffic. Ask how.

5. Will clicks from the wrong countries count?

If you order USA traffic, clicks from other countries shouldn't count toward your total. Get this confirmed before you pay.

6. What will the report show?

You want three numbers: raw clicks, what was filtered out, and the unique clicks you paid for. Plus the country and device split. A single number with no breakdown is a red flag.

7. Will they look at your page first?

A vendor who sends traffic to any page without looking at it doesn't care if you convert. The good ones check your page, flag problems and turn down offers that don't fit their list.

8. Who writes the email?

The swipe decides who clicks. Ask if the vendor writes it for your offer or sends a generic one. You should be able to read it before it goes out.

9. What happens if delivery falls short?

The only acceptable answer: they send more clicks until you have what you paid for. Get it in writing.

10. Is the list built for your niche?

Most solo ad lists come from make money online, affiliate and business opportunity offers. If you sell something else, ask whether the list has worked for offers like yours.

11. Can you test small?

A vendor confident in their traffic will happily sell you 100 clicks first. Be careful with anyone who only sells large packages.

12. Do they promise sales?

If they do, walk away. A vendor controls the traffic. Sales depend on your page, your offer and your follow-up emails.

A quick checklist you can copy

• Rating of 4.5 or higher from 20+ real reviews
• Reviews mention opt-ins or sales
• Unique clicks only, in writing
• Bots, link scanners and proxies filtered
• Wrong-country clicks not counted
• Report with raw, filtered and unique clicks
• Page reviewed before launch
• Custom swipe you can read first
• Shortfalls resent for free
• List matches your niche
• Small test order available
• No promises of sales

How do I score on this list?

Fair question. I'm rated 4.8 out of 5 from 32 reviews on Udimi. I count unique clicks only, filter duplicates, bots, link scanners, proxy and datacenter IPs and wrong-country clicks, and send a report with raw, filtered and unique numbers. I review every page before launch, write the swipe for free and resend anything that falls short. You can start with 100 clicks.

See how the filtering works or compare the packages.

FAQ

Is Udimi safer than buying from a vendor directly?

Udimi adds public buyer ratings and a dispute process, which helps when you don't know a vendor yet. Buying directly can be cheaper and more flexible once you trust someone. Many buyers start on Udimi and move direct later.

How many vendors should I test?

Test two or three with the same page and the same order size. Compare cost per lead and, after a week or two, sales. Then put most of your budget on the winner.

What is a good first order size?

100 to 300 clicks. It's enough to see your opt-in rate and cost per lead without risking much.