I'd consider $500 to not be that little for testing purposes, especially for a newbie or if you are not a newbie, then let's say for an offer that shouldn't really get you that excited for that specific traffic source.
$100-200 should suit you well, however i don't recommend propellerads either as some other users have already stated, especially for the first pop-up network you will use.
@Kratos168 May i know why you selected a payday loan offer for pop traffic. Did you have success with that offer with other traffic sources?
Personally (and that's just my own opinion) i'd never promote a payday offer with pop traffic, or at least not for the US. There are certain types of offers which just do not work that well with pop-up and pop-under traffic and i will definitely have payday offers on my 'do not promote list with pop traffic'.
Now, you may have seen big boys promoting these offers with all types of traffic sources, however i really do not recommend newbies to go with them.
Find something more lucrative and likely that will work with that traffic source - again with a payout of $20 (preferably no less, but even $10-15 at the lowest end) to $50+ is a good candidate to be promoted.
The next part is whether the selected product/offer is RIGHT for promotion with pop traffic.
With that being said, you have to think:
- whether what you promote can be consider an irresistible offer/product for the general public - you have to consider the very basic stuff - demographics, age, gender, quality of life, salaries, interests, etc. (think from your perspective first and maybe ask some friends/colleagues; i don't ask anyone, but i know what i like to promote and i know my audience so to say very good)
- what will be the best way to present that product/offer
Simple .html landing pages with big titles, few strong claims, 1-2 pictures and some reviews are usually enough for the 'base' to get you going quickly.
- and last, but not least what are the traffic networks you are going to use
You have $500 budget and you don't have that special tree in your backyard where money grow on it, so you have to be careful with the testing budget and don't burn it for nothing. You could split that $500 in 10x $50 and try out 2-3 offers instead.
I'd first go with some networks which offer a minimum deposit of $50 or less up to $100 to test my idea and from there on you can continue, not vice versa and go with lots of $$$ or even worse $$$$ burned for nothing.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes you can spend $$$ or $$$$ for testing purposes, but only when you know what you are doing.
Good luck with your next campaigns!