There are different types of traffic exchange programs. There are some that will let you surf the Internet as you normally would, with the only exception being that you set your browser's start page to their default advertising page. Once your homepage's browser loads you earn a certain number of advertising credits. You get additional credits for clicking on links of other members in the program's network. You can then use these credits for exposing your links to the network, with a chance of potential visitors and sales.

Some other traffic exchange services will make your surfing experience a bit more complex, since you would have to wait for a timer to expire in order to be awarded credits, and while that timer counts down you are forced to view another person's website from the network.

Some of these measures were taken by the traffic exchange programs in an effort to minimize or eliminate cheating, since some users came up with ways to cheat the system by using software programs that auto surf and earn them credits.

Typically, participants to these traffic exchanges will surf the Internet with a slight modification of how they normally would, in an effort to collect credits.

One can conclude that the less distracting from the normal surfing experience, the more the webmaster would be willing to use that traffic exchange program. Also, the less forced an ad/website on a user, the more targeted he/she will be for that product or service. For example, someone who is reads a headline in a traffic exchange and clicks on it to view the website is more targeted than someone who views it because he/she is forced to wait for a timer to expire.

Now that you have an overview of what traffic exchange programs are, and how they work, we can go over their main benefits:

1. Free

Almost all traffic exchange services are free, although you can upgrade your membership to get additional benefits in some. This means that someone with a low or no budget can start advertising their website fast and for no cost.

2. Targeted Traffic (for Internet Marketing)

If your product is Internet marketing related then the traffic you would receive to your website will be somewhat targeted because it will be people like you, who are looking for more ways to increase their online income.

3. You can build a list.

You can have a page designed to give out a freebie or a 5 part e-course in exchange for an email address. You can then follow up with these leads and sell them more stuff in the future.

4. You can recruit affiliates

If you have your own product and affiliate program, you can recruit affiliates to sell your products for a commission. The more people selling your products, the more passive income you will make.

In conclusion, traffic exchanges offer a great free way of promoting your business. They should be included in your advertising arsenal but make sure that you leverage your time effectively, and you don't surf for hours for those advertising credits. Try to find a traffic exchange program that will not hinder your normal surfing behavior, while advertising your business, and you will be one of the few people who maximize their time and effort with this free marketing tool.