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The Best Affiliate Program

How to Setup Your Sites For Maximum Profitability
Table of Contents
Chapter One: The Income StreamsPg. 3
Chapter Two: Creating the Website...Pg. 9
Chapter Three: Mareting......................................Pg. !"
Chapter #o$r: Tracing..............................................................Pg. %"
Than &o$..Pg. %'
%
Chapter One: The Income Streams
(efore )o$ act$all) start creating )o$r website* )o$ nee+ to +eci+e what income streams
)o$ wo$l+ lie to tae a+,antage of. What is an income stream- It is simpl) a wa) of
generating mone). .n+ when it comes to websites* there is no limit to the n$mber of
income streams )o$ can ha,e. In fact* the more income streams )o$ can mae a,ailable
on )o$r site the better. #or this reason this chapter will present for )o$ an e/tensi,e list
of the most pop$lar income streams $se+ b) the Internet g$r$s. .s )o$ rea+ thro$gh this
list tae note of the income streams that interest )o$. Then when )o$ are rea+)* mo,e to
Chapter Two* where )o$ can learn how to create a website a+,ertising )o$r selecte+
income streams.
!. .ffiliate Mareting
.ffiliate mareting is when )o$ promote another compan)0s website in ret$rn for a
commission. This commission can be generate+ in a n$mber of wa)s* tho$gh the most
common is when a sale or lea+ is act$all) ma+e from )o$r a+,ertising metho+s. 1ess
pop$lar wa)s of getting commission co$l+ be base+ on if a compan)0s 231 has recei,e+
a clic* or if their a+s recei,e+ impressions* 4which are simpl) the n$mber of times an a+
has been ,iewe+5. 6ither wa)* promotional metho+s wo$l+ be the same regar+less of
how commission is generate+. This means )o$ wo$l+ either a+,ertise the 231 +irectl)
or $se the 231 within a banner. In both cases the 231 wo$l+ contain special co+ing that
wo$l+ trace bac to )o$r affiliate acco$nt. This is +one so )o$ can be properl) cre+ite+ if
)o$r ,isitors tae the actions that a compan) +esires.
Most of the ma7or companies on the Internet are $sing affiliate mareting. 8owe,er* the)
+o not necessaril) a+,ertise their affiliate opport$nities blatantl). Most of the time )o$0ll
ha,e to scroll +own to the bottom of the site* where )o$0ll fin+ in smaller font 9.ffiliate
Program*0 9.ffiliates0 or similar wor+ing. #or e/ample* tae a loo at the screenshot
below of the bottom portion of the site (est($).com.
3
Can )o$ see where the circle is- This is where )o$ wo$l+ go to fin+ information abo$t
(est($).com0s affiliate program. If )o$ were to clic on this lin* )o$ wo$l+ be taen to
a sign$p page. On this page )o$ wo$l+ ha,e to enter in general information s$ch as )o$r
name* a++ress* telephone n$mber an+ site information. Once this info is s$bmitte+*
)o$0ll ha,e to wait a few +a)s to see if )o$r site is appro,e+. In+ee+* this process is the
same for ,irt$all) all t)pes of affiliate programs whether it0s (est($).com0s or another
website.
If )o$0re not intereste+ in signing $p for affiliate programs thro$gh an in+i,i+$al
compan)0s website* )o$ can consi+er 7oining an affiliate networ. With an affiliate
networ* )o$ can appl) for more than one compan) at the same time. ($t first* )o$ m$st
get appro,al from the networ itself. &o$ +o this b) offering the same information as
)o$ wo$l+ if )o$ were appl)ing to an in+i,i+$al affiliate program. This wo$l+ be )o$r
name* a++ress* telephone n$mber an+ site information. &o$ ma) also nee+ to fill o$t a
#orm !:99* +epen+ing on the affiliate networ. Once )o$ get appro,e+* )o$0ll get access
to an acco$nt manager where )o$ can start appl)ing for the affiliate programs of specific
companies.
One of the most pop$lar affiliate networs aro$n+ is Commission ;$nction. .ll )o$
reall) nee+ to get appro,e+ with them is a 231* which* 4as )o$ will learn abo$t later in
this e<boo5* )o$ can get thro$gh a web hosting compan) or a +omain name ser,ice.
.fter )o$ pro,i+e this information* the)0ll let )o$ +eci+e what companies )o$ want to
wor for. When )o$ are rea+) for this step* e,er)thing will be con,enientl) lai+ o$t for
)o$ categoricall). The screenshot below pro,i+es a ,is$al of some of the man)
categories C; allows )o$ to choose from for )o$r affiliate programs.
=
.nother wi+el)<$se+ affiliate networ is Clicban. Signing $p with Clicban is easier
than e,en signing $p with Commission ;$nction* since a 231 is not re>$ire+ an+ the
appro,al process is +one instantl). 8owe,er* Clicban is not as e/tensi,e as
Commission ;$nction. .ll )o$ are able to sell thro$gh them are e<boos an+ software.
&et* the networ has o,er !:*::: of these pro+$cts* gi,ing )o$ great latit$+e for what
)o$ sho$l+ promote.
%. Pa)<Per<Clic
Pa)<per<clic a+,ertisements show a list of a+s on )o$r site. If one of these a+s are
clice+ on b) )o$r ,isitors* )o$ recei,e a commission. This commission can range from
as low as .:! to as high as ?""* tho$gh most of the time )o$ will earn 7$st a few cents.
Still* if )o$ can get a lot of legitimate clics to these a+s* 4with legitimate being clics
from gen$ine ,isitors an+ not from )o$rself or 9bots5* )o$ can easil) mae h$n+re+s*
ma)be e,en tho$san+s with pa)<per<clics. Tae a loo at the screenshot below to get an
i+ea of what )o$ wo$l+ be maing )o$r mone) from if )o$ +eci+e to $se a pa)<per<clic.
The sections circle+ in re+ are what t)pical pa)<per<clic a+s loo lie. In this e/ample*
the a+s are in+icati,e of @oogle .+sense. .+s from other companies wo$l+ generall)
loo the same* with the onl) +ifference being who0s liste+ as the sponsor. 8owe,er* eep
in min+ that +epen+ing on the contract of the pa)<per<clic networ )o$ +eci+e to wor
with* )o$ might onl) be limite+ to showing 7$st their a+,ertisements. Of co$rse* this is
7$st when it comes to the pa)<per<clic arena. &o$ wo$l+ still be free to show as man)
A
a+,ertisements from other income streams as )o$ want* pro,i+e+ that )o$r site offers
worthwhile content for the ,isitor.
In terms of the appro,al process for pa)<per<clics* it0s similar to affiliate mareting*
tho$gh $s$all) these networs are not as strict. .s long as )o$r site is not promoting hate
or e/cessi,e ,iolence* more than liel) it will get appro,e+.
3. CP. .+s
.+s that are Cost Per .ction* 4or CP.5* are similar in appearance to pa)<per<clic a+s.
1ie pa)<per<clic a+s* the) show themsel,es in the form of small te/t a+,ertisements on
the top* bottom* left or right si+es of the website. &et* $nlie pa)<per<clic a+s* the) pa)
when an action occ$rs. This action co$l+ be a ,isitor maing a sale or signing
themsel,es $p as a lea+* b$t that0s the e/tent of it. Clics in an+ of themsel,es are not
consi+ere+ ,ali+ actions.
Of the CP. .+ networs $se+ b) Internet mareters* .Boogle is the most well<nown.
.ltho$gh man) webmasters see it as an 9alternati,e0 to pa)<per<clics* it can still be a
$sef$l income stream. 8owe,er* the +ownsi+e is that .Boogle is more strict when it
comes to who the) will accept into their networ. So* )o$ ma) want to hol+ off appl)ing
for them $ntil )o$ get some >$alit) traffic for )o$r website.
=. Selling 6<(oos
6<boos are the same as 9reg$lar0 boos onl) the) are in electronic form. The) can be
rea+ on comp$ters* PC.s* special e<boo rea+ers or smart phones. In terms of topics* e<
boos can be fiction* non<fiction or informati,e self<help boos. 8owe,er* in the worl+
of Internet mareting* most e<boos that are +istrib$te+ ten+ to be of an informati,e
nat$re. In fact* +o )o$ remember rea+ing abo$t Clicban earlier- If )o$ want to see
e/amples of the t)pes of e<boos that webmasters are more liel) to sell* simpl) loo
thro$gh Clicban0s pro+$ct listings. .lternati,el)* )o$ can also +o a search on 6<(a)
for e<boos that are a,ailable for a$ction.
So* how +o )o$ obtain e<boos for sale- If )o$ ha,e a talent for writing* )o$ can simpl)
create one )o$rself. &o$ can $se Microsoft Wor+ or special e<boo software to
accomplish this goal. If )o$ +on0t ha,e a talent for writing* )o$ can hire a ghostwriter or
b$) either pri,ate label content or e<boos with resale rights. Pri,ate label content sho$l+
be what )o$ go after if )o$ want to change an)thing within the e<boo. On the other
han+* if )o$r onl) goal is to sell* then getting e<boos with resale rights is the wa) to go.
Two e/cellent sites for fin+ing pri,ate label content an+ resale e<boos are
Infogoro$n+.com an+ 6boowholesaler.com* respecti,el). In terms of fin+ing a
ghostwriter* )o$ can $se freelancing sites lie @etafreelancer.com or 6lance.com to hire
an in+i,i+$al or e,en a compan).
A. Wholesaling or Cropshipping 9Diche0 Pro+$cts
"
Wholesaling is when )o$ b$) in,entor) at a significantl) lowere+ price then sell it to
cons$mers. &o$ hol+ all the responsibilit) for pacaging an+ shipping metho+s.
Con,ersel)* with +ropshipping )o$ onl) p$rchase in,entor) when )o$ mae a sale from a
c$stomer. Once )o$ let the compan) now )o$ nee+ a pro+$ct +eli,ere+* the) will tae
care of the shipping an+ pacaging. Cropshipping is an e/tremel) con,enient choice for
an Internet newbie* b$t it ten+s to offer less profit margin than wholesaling. 3egar+less*
before )o$ can wholesale or +ropship with most companies* )o$ will nee+ a b$siness
license. The e/ception is Coba.com* which is a +ropshipper that will wor with
in+i,i+$als who ha,e not )et gotten a b$siness license or +on0t wish to get one.
Oa) so )o$ $n+erstan+ what wholesaling an+ +ropshipping are* b$t what are 9niche
pro+$cts*0 an+ wh) +o the) matter so m$ch- Wh) can0t 9reg$lar0 pro+$cts be sol+
thro$gh these means- Well* simpl) +efine+* niche pro+$cts are those that meet the nee+s
of a specific maret* which are often neglecte+ b) mainstream b$sinesses. #or e/ample a
compan) selling 9+og br$shes0* 4a 9reg$lar0 pro+$ct5* wo$l+ be meeting the nee+s of a
general maret. 8owe,er* a compan) selling a 9shagg) +og br$sh for sensiti,e sin
+ogs*0 wo$l+ be meeting a niche maret. The latter compan) wo$l+ act$all) be more
s$ccessf$l beca$se there is significantl) less online a+,ertising competition for 9shagg)
+og br$sh for sensiti,e sin +ogs*0 than there is for 9+og br$shes.0
So* how +o )o$ fin+ niche pro+$cts to wholesale or +ropship- The best wa) to +o this is
to $se e)wor+ anal)Bers. These are programs that tell )o$ all the ,ersions of a e)wor+
that has been entere+ into a search engine. @oogle an+ O,ert$re offer free e)wor+
anal)Bers* b$t these are not the best to $se. This is beca$se since the) are free* the
e)wor+s that are gi,en are more liel) to ha,e alrea+) been $se+. #or this reason
consi+er $sing a pai+ e)wor+ anal)Ber s$ch as Wor+ Tracer. To $se it simpl) t)pe in a
pro+$ct that )o$ wo$l+ be intereste+ in selling. The site will ret$rn all of the e)wor+s
relate+ to that term. Pic a e)wor+ that gets a lot of searches b$t not a lot of a+,ertisers*
4Wor+ Tracer will pro,i+e this information to )o$5. .fter selecting this e)wor+* go to
a reg$lar search engine. T)pe in the e)wor+ along with the term E+ropshipper*F or
Ewholesaler*F maing s$re )o$ incl$+e the >$otation mars. 1oo thro$gh these listings
to see if )o$ can fin+ a +ropshipper or wholesaler selling )o$r +esire+ pro+$ct. If )o$ +o
not ha,e m$ch l$c +oing this* )o$ can t)pe the term in 6<ba) or another a$ction site an+
see if someone is selling the pro+$ct in wholesale 9lots.0 .lternati,el)* if )o$ +eci+e to
7oin Coba.com )o$ can enter the term into their internal search engine* to see if the) ha,e
the pro+$ct a,ailable for +ropshipping. .n+ if all else fails* )o$ can simpl) call ,ario$s
bric<an+<mortar wholesalers or +ropshippers an+ as them if the) ha,e what )o$ nee+.
To fin+ bric<an+<mortar wholesalers or +ropshippers to call* simpl) loo in )o$r local
phone boo or ,isit &ellowpages.com.
". Selling a Diche Ser,ice
Co )o$ ha,e a talent for +oing something- Ma)be it0s crafting or wor+ processing.
Ma)be it0s wor+<woring. Ma)be it0s repair wor. 3egar+less of what it is* if )o$
maret it properl)* )o$ can $se )o$r sill as an a++itional income stream. .n+* as )o$
might ha,e alrea+) s$specte+* 9mareting properl)0 means maing s$re )o$ a+,ertise
G
)o$r ser,ice to a niche maret. So* 7$st as +escribe+ abo,e* $se a e)wor+ anal)Ber s$ch
as Wor+ Tracer to +etermine what )o$r niche marets are. Once )o$ ha,e +isco,ere+
this niche* )o$ can go on an+ start creating )o$r website aro$n+ it.
G. Selling Online .+,ertising Space
Once )o$r website starts recei,ing traffic* )o$ will want to consi+er selling a+,ertising
space to other webmasters. To +o this )o$ can either mae a separate webpage +e+icate+
to a+,ertising or sell banner space on the top* si+es or bottom of )o$r website. Price<wise
)o$ can charge per impression* 4if )o$0re selling banner space5* or monthl). If )o$
charge per impression )o$ can +o this on )o$r own* pro,i+e+ )o$ ha,e the right scripts
an+ tracing software or )o$ can $se a separate ser,ice s$ch as .+brite.com* 4which
taes care of e,er)thing for )o$5.
6mail mareting can offer )o$ an a++itional wa) of selling online a+,ertising space.
&o$0ll learn the specifics abo$t this later* b$t basicall)* how it wo$l+ wor is )o$ wo$l+
place the webmaster0s a+,ertisement in )o$r e<co$rse or newsletter. It co$l+ be a bl$rb
or a feat$re article taling abo$t the webmaster0s site. 6ither wa)* it will get sent to all of
the s$bscribers on )o$r list. If things wor o$t as the webmaster hopes* he or she will get
a sale. Price<wise* )o$ can prett) m$ch +o what )o$ want especiall) if )o$ ha,e a ,er)
large list. Heep in min+* howe,er* that the more )o$ charge the less people )o$ will get
to tae a+,antage of )o$r offer* especiall) if the price is in the h$n+re+s or more.
If )o$ want a >$ic start for selling online a+ space* )o$ can consi+er $sing
.+somatic.com. With .+somatic.com )o$ are gi,en the chance to promote an online
classifie+ site. The a+,ertising space )o$ can sell comes in the form of three banners.
There is also .+somatic.com0s affiliate program* offering a fo$rth income stream. ($t
the bea$t) in this program is not thro$gh these elements* b$t rather their email mareting
mechanism. When people sign $p to $se )o$r classifie+ site* )o$r acco$nt manager
stores the email a++ress. While )o$ won0t be able to see it* )o$ will be able to sen+ an
email to that s$bscriber thro$gh the .+somatic.com networ. &o$ can $se this email
s)stem to create newsletters or e<co$rses* which can feat$re a+,ertisements from other
webmasters.
To get a ,is$al of what )o$r .+somatic.com site wo$l+ loo lie* loo at the screenshot
below.
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Chapter Two: Creating the Website
Dow that )o$ ha,e +eci+e+ what income streams )o$0re going to be woring with* )o$0re
rea+) to create )o$r website. #or this step there are se,eral options a,ailable to )o$.
These options incl$+e: creating the website )o$rself* hiring a web +esigner to +o it or
getting a 9pre<ma+e0 site. This chapter will +el,e into each of these options in more
+etail.
!. Creating the Website &o$rself
If )o$ +eci+e to create a website )o$rself* )o$ can $se 8TM1 co+ing* a wor+ processor
or an 8TM1 e+itor. If )o$ $se a wor+ processor or an 8TM1 e+itor* )o$ can create a
site from 9scratch0 $sing the tools within these programs or $se a template. This section
will +isc$ss each of these alternati,es* so )o$ can +eci+e which one is best for )o$. &o$
will also learn basic tips for: website +esign* content creation an+ how to place )o$r site
on the Internet. These tips will be helpf$l regar+less of which metho+ )o$ choose for
maing )o$r website.
8TM1 Co+ing
8TM1 is a programming lang$age $se+ for b$il+ing websites. It is rea+ b) the browser*
which is the entit) responsible for +ispla)ing the website. In terms of the format of
8TM1* it is generall) easier to learn than other programming lang$ages as e,er)thing is
con,e)e+ thro$gh a series of tags an+ attrib$tes. Specificall)* the tag is the portion of the
co+e that tells the browser what to +o* while the attrib$te offers a f$rther specification for
that tag. #or e/ample* the tag I#ODTJ tells the browser to prepare to +ispla) a
partic$lar font face for the te/t on the webpage. The EsiBeF attrib$te within the I#ODTJ
tag specifies how big the font sho$l+ be. It offers more clarification for the I#ODTJ tag.
Of co$rse* the abo,e<mentione+ I#ODTJ tag is 7$st an e/ample. There are man) tags
an+ correspon+ing attrib$tes )o$ can $se when co+ing 8TM1. When )o$ learn all of
them* )o$ can $se Dotepa+ or an 8TM1 e+itor to t)pe them o$t. In either case* )o$ will
want to mae s$re )o$r +oc$ment is sa,e+ with an .htm or .html e/tension* 4since this
lets the browser now it is abo$t to rea+ an 8TM1 +oc$ment5.
So* how can )o$ learn all of the tags in,ol,e+ with 8TM1- The lang$age is eas) eno$gh
that )o$ can teach )o$rself thro$gh a boo or an online t$torial. 8owe,er* if )o$ want to
create more powerf$l websites* )o$0ll want to learn how to $se scripting lang$ages in
con7$nction with 8TM1. .ltho$gh )o$ can also teach )o$rself how to +o this as well*
)o$ ma) fin+ it easier if )o$ learn these things in a classroom setting.
It is important to note that not e,er)one will want to $se straight 8TM1 for creating their
websites. It is a perfect option if )o$ are technicall) incline+ an+ )o$ want complete
9
control o,er )o$r site* b$t it is not a necessit). If )o$ want to create )o$r website faster*
consi+er $sing a wor+ processor or the W&SIW&@* 4What &o$ See is What &o$ @et5*
portion of an 8TM1 e+itor.
Wor+ Processor
Most mo+ern<+a) wor+ processing software s$ch as Microsoft Wor+ or Wor+ Perfect can
create 8TM1 +oc$ments. &o$ wo$l+ +esign the webpage as )o$ wo$l+ an) other
+oc$ment e/cept )o$ wo$l+ sa,e it as 8TM1* a web page or an) other similar option
gi,en b) )o$r wor+ processor.
Cepen+ing on how recent )o$r wor+ processing program is* )o$ might e,en be able to
+esign )o$r website $sing a 9web la)o$t0 ,iew. This ,iew is more reflecti,e of how )o$r
web page wo$l+ loo in a browser* maing it a better choice when creating )o$r website.
What are the +ownsi+es to $sing a wor+ processor for )o$r web +esign nee+s- Well* the
8TM1 that the) pro+$ce ten+s to be 97$n).0 This means that it will incl$+e co+e that is
$nnecessar)* re+$n+ant an+ +oesn0t mae m$ch sense $nless )o$ are an e/pert in
scripting. .++itionall)* comple/ webpages ma+e from wor+ processors ten+ to +ispla)
o++l) in browsers. #or this reason if )o$ +o plan on $sing a wor+ processor to create
)o$r website* tr) to eep it simple. The screenshot below gi,es an e/ample of a simple*
4)et effecti,e5* website )o$ co$l+ create $sing a wor+ processor.
Dow* this site is ,er) short* b$t it0s bro$ght in h$n+re+s of +ollars worth of income. So
+efinitel) +on0t +iscre+it the one<pager* which wor+ processors seem to +esign well. Of
co$rse* this is not to sa) wor+ processors are completel) $nable to mae more comple/
+oc$ments it0s 7$st that )o$0ll ha,e to +o a lot more e+iting to mae s$re the) loo
!:
right in all of the ma7or browsers* 4which incl$+e Internet 6/plorer* #irefo/ an+
Detscape5. So* if )o$ +o mae a more comple/ site in a wor+ processor* mae s$re )o$
open it in each of these browsers as )o$ are woring. &o$ can +o this b) selecting Open
#ile in the #ile men$ of each one.
8TM1 6+itor
Con0t be foole+ b) the term 98TM1 e+itor.0 .ltho$gh these programs are +esigne+ to
help )o$ create or e+it 8TM1* 8TM1 nowle+ge is not necessar) to effecti,el) $se them
as long as the) are W&SIW&@* 4What &o$ see Is What &o$ @et5. This means that their
interface wors lie a wor+ processor* allowing )o$ to o$tp$t webpages that will loo the
same wa) on the Web as the) +o in the e+itor. . co$ple ,er) pop$lar W&SIW&@
8TM1 e+itors are #rontpage* 4which integrates well with the Microsoft Office s$ite5 or
Creamwea,er.
In terms of +ownsi+es* 8TM1 e+itors also create somewhat nastier 8TM1* tho$gh
$s$all) not as ba+ as wor+ processors. 8owe,er* the) integrate better with browsers an+
the) contain more website<relate+ f$nctions that )o$ can a++ to )o$r site. In+ee+* if )o$
can affor+ the price* 4as most will be o,er ?!::5* W&SIW&@ 8TM1 e+itors are a better
choice than wor+ processors.
Templates
Website templates are another e/cellent alternati,e for those who +o not ha,e the time
an+Kor nowle+ge necessar) to +esign the graphical elements of a website on their own.
The) can be $se+ in either a wor+ processor or an 8TM1 e+itor. The screenshot below
gi,es an e/ample of a t)pical website template.
!!
This screenshot was taen from Templates.arcsin.se* a site offering free website
templates. .s )o$ can see the lang$age is foreign b$t this +oesn0t matter* beca$se once
)o$ +ownloa+ the template* )o$ wo$l+ replace the e/isting te/t with )o$r content.
There are literall) tho$san+s of templates a,ailable both free an+ pai+. 6ach are e>$all)
effecti,e* tho$gh pai+ ones +o ten+ to be m$ch more elaborate graphicall). If )o$ are
looing to get se,eral website templates for a lower price* consi+er )et again the ,al$e of
6<(a)* since website templates are on sale all the time there.
Of co$rse* there is also the option of $sing templates from )o$r web hosting compan). If
)o$r web hosting compan) offers them* $s$all) )o$ wo$l+ $se these templates thro$gh a
separate e+itor from within )o$r web hosting acco$nt. 6,er)thing wo$l+ alrea+) be
$ploa+e+* so )o$ wo$l+n0t ha,e to worr) abo$t going thro$gh that step. Heep in min+
there are also web hosting companies that specialiBe in the creation of online stores* 4with
&ahoo Stores being an e/ample5. The templates a,ailable thro$gh them wo$l+ in,ol,e
)o$ basicall) entering in )o$r in,entor) information then $ploa+ing pict$res of )o$r
merchan+ise. Thro$gh this s)stem )o$ create an e<commerce site that loos as proficient
as an) of the lea+ing sites s$ch as .maBon.com or ($).com. Tae a loo at the
screenshot below to see a specific e/ample of a &ahoo Store.
!%
Website Cesign
If )o$ +eci+e to get a website template* )o$r +esign concerns are alrea+) taen care of. If
not* the best thing to remember is to eep )o$r la)o$t simple. Most effecti,e websites
ha,e their logo on the top* 4along with banner a+,ertising5* website lins on the left si+e
an+ content on the right si+e. There are some sites that will ha,e lins on both the left
an+ right si+es with the content in the mi++le* tho$gh be caref$l +oing this approach since
it might mae )o$r site appear too 9b$s).0 .++itionall)* )o$ can also $se the bottom
space for smaller te/t lins an+Kor banner a+,ertising.
Color<wise* mae s$re )o$ now what )o$ are +oing* especiall) if )o$ +eci+e to $se a
coloriBe+ bacgro$n+. The right color combination is more ,is$all) st$nning than a
simple blac<an+<white te/tKbacgro$n+ combination* b$t if it is not right* not onl) will
)o$r site loo terrible b$t it will be $nrea+able b) )o$r ,isitors. #or a++itional tips on
choosing an appropriate color scheme for )o$r website* chec o$t the article Choosing
the Right Colors for Your Website at .,angate.com.
Content Creation
Writing for websites is +ifferent than writing for other t)pes of me+ia. This is beca$se
)o$ ha,e to eep in min+ e)wor+s. That0s right... this is a concept )o$ were intro+$ce+
to earlier in this e<boo. In fact* all of the things )o$ learne+ in that section* 4which was
Wholesaling or Dropshipping Niche Products)* also applies here. This means that before
)o$ act$all) begin writing )o$r content* )o$ will want to $se a e)wor+ anal)Ber s$ch as
Wor+ Tracer to see which e)wor+s )o$ sho$l+ act$all) $se. Once )o$ fin+ the
e)wor+s that are highl)<searche+ )et less a+,ertise+* )o$ are rea+) to begin writing.
!3
The general g$i+eline for creating web content is to mae s$re )o$r e)wor+ +ensit) is %
to " percent. #or e/ample* if )o$ ha,e content of A:: wor+s* )o$r e)wor+ sho$l+ be
incl$+e+ !: to 3: times. This is for the benefit of search engine robots. If )o$ +o not $se
the e)wor+s eno$gh times* the search engine robots won0t be able to fin+ )o$r site.
8owe,er* if )o$ $se the e)wor+s too man) times* )o$r site might get flagge+ for spam.
If it gets flagge+ for spam it co$l+ not get in+e/e+ or e,en worse* get banne+. If )o$r site
is banne+* )o$ will not be able to get it in+e/e+ at all* e,en if )o$ change the content
later.
Of co$rse* +on0t be scare+ b) this ti+bit of information. 6,en if )o$ are not tr)ing to
optimiBe )o$r website content* it0s nat$ral to incl$+e certain e) phrases more than once
thro$gho$t. When )o$ are conscio$sl) thining abo$t e)wor+s* the process becomes
e,en easier. Heep in min+ also that it0s L63& har+ to write normall) an+ ha,e )o$r
e)wor+ +ensit) go o,er " percent. Most webmasters that go o,er this n$mber +o so on
p$rpose* nowing that the) are incl$+ing their e)wor+ too m$ch. ($t if )o$ nee+
f$rther ass$rance* )o$ can simpl) co$nt the n$mber of times )o$r e)wor+ appears then
+i,i+e it b) the n$mber of total wor+s on )o$r webpage. The res$lting fig$re is )o$r
e)wor+ +ensit).
P$tting &o$r Site on the Web
To p$t )o$r site on the Internet* )o$ will nee+ web hosting. This is when )o$ get a
compan) to store )o$r site on their comp$ters* 4also nown as ser,ers5. Web hosting can
be free or pai+* tho$gh pai+ is preferable. This is beca$se free web hosting $s$all)
re>$ires )o$ to place the compan)0s a+s on )o$r website. &o$ +o not recei,e an)
compensation for these a+s. .lso* 4as )o$ learne+ earlier5* since these a+s ten+ to be in
pa)<per<clic form )o$ ma) not be able to tae a+,antage of other pa)<per<clic
programs if )o$ $se free web hosting.
6ither wa)* as )o$ are signing $p for a hosting acco$nt* )o$ ma) be gi,en the option to
b$) a +omain name. . +omain name is the te/t$al a++ress a ,isitor t)pes in to reach
)o$r website. It starts with EwwwF an+ en+s with a n$mber of e/tensions* tho$gh the
most pop$lar is .com. The mi++le portion is +etermine+ b) )o$. It is best to mae it a
pop$lar<searche+ e)wor+* which )o$ can fin+ from a e)wor+ anal)Ber s$ch as Wor+
Tracer.
If )o$r web hosting compan) +oes not pro,i+e )o$ a +omain name* )o$ can b$) it from a
separate +omain name compan). This option is a little har+er* beca$se )o$ will ha,e to
+o some manip$lations within the acco$nt managers of both )o$r web hosting acco$nt
an+ +omain name acco$nt to mae s$re it points to )o$r website. If )o$ are not
comfortable +oing this* consi+er $sing a 231 re+irect ser,ice s$ch as Damestic.com.
With a 231 re+irect ser,ice* )o$ b$) a +omain name that will 9replace0 )o$r ol+ +omain
name* at least to the e)es of )o$r ,isitors. Set$p for this is as simple as +eci+ing on )o$r
new +omain name an+ then t)ping in )o$r ol+ +omain name.
!=
Once )o$ ha,e establishe+ )o$r web hosting an+ +omain name* )o$ are rea+) to $ploa+
)o$r site. Some web hosting companies* s$ch as @eocities* mae this process eas)
beca$se the) incl$+e special file managers within )o$r acco$nt. &o$ wo$l+ $ploa+
e,er)thing thro$gh this file manager. 8owe,er* if )o$r web hosting compan) +oes not
offer this feat$re* )o$ will ha,e to $ploa+ )o$r site thro$gh an #TP* 4#ile Transfer
Protocol5 program. These can be +ownloa+e+ off of the Internet for free or at a cost.
6ither wa)* to $se them all )o$ ha,e to +o is +rag )o$r files into the +esignate+ fol+ers of
)o$r hosting compan)0s ser,er. &o$ will nee+ to cons$lt with them +irectl) to fin+ o$t
the specific names of these fol+ers.
%. 8iring a Web Cesigner
If )o$ are tr$l) st$mpe+ at the tho$ght of +esigning a website on )o$r own* )o$ can hire
a web +esigner to help )o$. &o$ will still ha,e to create )o$r own content* 4$nless the
web +esigner )o$0re woring with has ghostwriters on han+5* b$t for the most part
e,er)thing else is taen care of b) the +esigner. In fact* some +esigners also ha,e
ser,ers* so web hosting ma) also be taen care of at an a++itional cost.
To fin+ web +esigners* )o$ can +o a search online or $se freelancing sites s$ch as
@etafreelancer.com or 6lance.com* 4each of which were mentione+ earlier5. The
a+,antage to $sing a freelancing site is that )o$ can set )o$r own price. 8owe,er* )o$
will want to mae s$re the people )o$ get act$all) now what their +oing. So* in either
case* mae s$re )o$r potential web +esigner has a lot of samples to show )o$. .lso* if
the web +esigner has pre,io$s references* be s$re to chec them. In fact* if )o$ $se a
freelancing site* )o$ can tae a loo at an) fee+bac the web +esigner has recei,e+ from
other people the) ha,e wore+ with thro$gh the site.
3. @etting a Pre<ma+e Site
There are man) in+i,i+$als an+ companies that sell rea+)<ma+e .+sense sites. The best
place to fin+ them are thro$gh 6<(a) b) +oing a search on 9.+sense sites.0 Sometimes
thro$gh 6<(a) )o$0ll get a site that is both pre<ma+e an+ alrea+) recei,ing traffic.
8owe,er* eep in min+ that sites that are alrea+) getting traffic* 4also nown as
9establishe+05* ten+ to cost significantl) more.
So* what can )o$ e/pect from a pre<ma+e site- (asicall)* the graphical la)o$t an+ the
content are alrea+) taen care of. .ll )o$ reall) ha,e to +o is $ploa+ the site onto )o$r
hosting acco$nt* tho$gh there are some companies that will pro,i+e their own hosting. If
this is the case )o$ prett) m$ch +on0t ha,e to +o an)thing e/cept pa) the mone) an+ start
mareting )o$r new site.
!A
Chapter 3: Mareting
.t this point )o$ sho$l+ ha,e a complete+ website. ($t +on0t thin that e,en with
e)wor+<rich content that the process of maing mone) with )o$r income streams is
complete. Contrar) to pop$lar belief* 7$st beca$se a website is online +oesn0t mean
traffic 7$st a$tomaticall) flows to it. &o$ ha,e to mae traffic happen. This chapter will
e/plain how b) e,al$ating free an+ pai+ forms of online mareting. &o$ will also learn
abo$t offline mareting metho+s.
#ree Online Mareting Metho+s
!. Search 6ngine Mareting
If )o$ followe+ the g$i+elines specifie+ in Chapter Two for content creation* )o$0,e
alrea+) won half the battle of preparing )o$r site for search engines. The other half is
b$il+ing $p )o$r inbo$n+ an+ o$tbo$n+ lins. Inbo$n+ lins are websites that lin to )o$
while o$tbo$n+ lins are websites that )o$ lin to. Search engines prefer to see more
one<wa) inbo$n+ lins* which means that sites lin to )o$ witho$t re>$iring )o$ to lin
bac to them. 8owe,er* if )o$ +o not ha,e an) o$tbo$n+ lins )o$ won0t get rane+
high either* so mae s$re to incl$+e them. The) are ,er) eas) to p$t on )o$r site
!"
an)wa) 7$st lin to other sites that offer information similar to )o$rs. &et* mae s$re
the) are in the top !: listings of the most wi+el) $se+ search engines* 4which are @oogle*
MSD an+ &ahoo5.
Dow* as for one<wa) inbo$n+ lins* )o$0ll ha,e to +o a little bit more sle$thing. #ree
metho+s of getting inbo$n+ lins* 4which will be +isc$sse+ in more +etail in this section5*
incl$+e a+,ertising on message boar+s* classifie+ a+s* article +irectories an+ online press
releases. On the other han+* )o$ can pa) for inbo$n+ lins b) taing a+,antage of
a+,ertising space offere+ b) other webmasters* 4this will be +isc$sse+ later also5. 6ither
wa)* once )o$ ha,e gotten )o$r linage together* )o$ can s$bmit )o$r site to search
engines or simpl) wait for them to in+e/ )o$ on their own. If )o$ +i+ things right* )o$0ll
act$all) get rane+ higher faster if )o$ let the search engines fin+ )o$.
%. Message (oar+s
Message boar+s are online for$ms in which members post messages in threa+s* which are
a specific section of messages. To effecti,el) a+,ertise $sing message boar+s* first fin+
those that relate to the main e)wor+s of )o$r site. &o$ can +o this b) simpl) t)ping in
the e)wor+ along with the term Emessage boar+.F ;oin the first !: to %: message boar+
sites that come $p in )o$r search engine res$lts* as these ha,e alrea+) gotten the positi,e
attention of search engine robots. The) sho$l+ also be getting a lot of traffic as well.
.n)wa)* 7oin as a member an+ participate in the +isc$ssions. When it seems appropriate*
start a threa+ a+,ertising )o$r site* b$t tr) to mae it in the form of an informati,e article
rather than a blatant a+. Coing otherwise maes other members thin )o$ are a spammer.
.n+ if this happens* not onl) will )o$ not get too man) ,iews* b$t )o$ ma) ris getting
banne+ from that site.
3. Classifie+ .+s
If )o$r website is selling a specific pro+$ct or ser,ice* consi+er $sing online classifie+
a+s to promote it. .s $s$al* )o$ will want to a+,ertise on online classifie+ a+s that ran
high in search engine res$lts. 8owe,er* since classifie+ a+s +o not re>$ire as m$ch
in,ol,ement as message boar+s or other free metho+s of a+,ertising* thin abo$t
a+,ertising on as man) as )o$ can. The) help both with search engine a+,ertising an+
with b$il+ing $p )o$r traffic in general.
=. .rticle Cirectories
.rticle +irectories are sites that can be consi+ere+ content +epositories for webmasters.
What happens is people write informati,e articles that a webmaster can $se as content for
their website. In ret$rn for their efforts* the webmaster m$st eep the article intact*
incl$+ing the most important element* the lin to the other person0s website* 4$s$all)
fo$n+ towar+s the en+5. So* when )o$ write for an article +irector)* )o$ are getting: !5 a
+efiniti,e one<wa) inbo$n+ lin from the +irector) itself* %5 traffic from webmasters
per$sing the article* 35 possible one<wa) inbo$n+ lins from webmasters that +eci+e to
$se )o$r content an+ =5 possible traffic from the sites of these same webmasters.
!G
If )o$ +eci+e to write for an article +irector)* it is best to mae it e)wor+<optimiBe+* as
if )o$ were writing content for )o$r own site. &o$ will also want to tr) to mae it at
least =:: wor+s. () +oing both of these things )o$ increase the lielihoo+ that a
webmaster will choose )o$r article as content for their site.
A. #ree Online Press 3eleases
Online press releases are simpl) news stories that get release+ to me+ia networs. If )o$r
press release generates eno$gh interest* )o$ might get e/pos$re on ,ario$s online an+
offline me+ia. This co$l+ e,en incl$+e getting free p$blicit) on ra+io or tele,ision. To
s$bmit a press release* )o$ can $se free or pai+ press release networs. Pai+ press release
networs offer more e/pos$re than free ones* b$t the +ownsi+e is ob,io$sl) their cost.
So* if )o$ are limite+ in f$n+s tr) to s$bmit press releases to as man) press release
networs as )o$ can fin+. Heep in min+ that not onl) are )o$ increasing the chances
)o$r site might get notice+ b) a ma7or me+ia networ* b$t )o$ are also creating more
one<wa) lins* which* 4as )o$ alrea+) now5* search engine robots lie to see.
". 1in 6/changing
1in e/changing is the process of a+,ertising )o$r website on another person0s website
with the e/pectation that )o$ will a+,ertise their site on )o$rs. This b$il+s both traffic
an+ search engine raning* tho$gh it is not ,iewe+ in the same light as one<wa) lins.
One<wa) lins are ,iewe+ as a website showing more 9gen$ine0 interest in the
a+,ertisement. 3egar+less* lin e/changing is still in,al$able an+ sho$l+ be so$ght after
when tr)ing to b$il+ traffic.
There are two wa)s )o$ can initiate lin e/changes. &o$ co$l+ fin+ the websites )o$rself
an+ email the webmasters asing if the) are intereste+ in a lin e/change. Or* )o$ co$l+
a lin e/change networ s$ch as 1inMaret.com. With a lin e/change networ* it is
m$ch easier fin+ing sites who* on their own will* want to initiate lin e/changes. &o$
won0t be acc$se+ of spam an+ )o$ get more of a g$arantee the other webmaster will want
to wor with )o$. Of co$rse* it is not a c$re<all* as some webmasters ma) not want to +o
a lin e/change with sites that ha,en0t b$ilt too m$ch traffic. ($t there are those that are
willing* so it0s still worth a tr).
To prepare )o$r site for a lin e/change* place a bl$rb somewhere on )o$r site sa)ing
that )o$0re willing to +o lin e/changes. .lso ha,e a section calle+ 93elate+ Sites0. Tr)
to $se this t)pe of wor+ing rather than 9.+,ertisements0* beca$se ,isitors are more liel)
to be t$rne+ off to seeing a+s* a fact more e/perience+ webmasters are aware of. 1ist all
of )o$r lin e/changes in this section. Or* )o$ co$l+ list them in a banner* which is not
as obtr$si,e as a separate section.
G. Safelists M .$tos$rfs
Safelists are a ,er) contro,ersial form of online mareting* b$t sho$l+ not necessaril) be
+iscre+ite+. (asicall) what happens is that safelist members agree to rea+ the
a+,ertisements of other members with the hope that their a+,ertisement also gets rea+.
!'
Most safelists wor on a cre+it s)stem. 6ach time )o$ rea+ another member0s
a+,ertisement* 4which the webmaster can +etermine thro$gh special 231s embe++e+
within the emails5* )o$ earn a certain amo$nt of cre+its. The more cre+its )o$ earn* the
more )o$ can a+,ertise )o$r site.
. ,ariant of the safelist are a$tos$rfs. These are sites that show a+,ertisements in
rotation* one after the other. 1ie email<base+ safelists* )o$ earn cre+its for each
a+,ertisement )o$ ,iew. 8owe,er* some a$tos$rfs will allow )o$ to re+eem these cre+its
for a+,ertising time* cash or both. &et* eep in min+ that cash<base+ a$tos$rfs are e,en
more contro,ersial than email<base+ safelists an+ ten+ to be har+ to fin+. .n+ of the ones
that are a,ailable* )o$ $s$all) ha,e to pa) mone) $pfront* maing them a pai+ form of
online a+,ertising.
.t this point )o$ might be thining that safelists an+ a$tos$rfs so$n+ lie a goo+ thing* so
wh) are the) so contro,ersial- Well* first off man) webmasters thin that safelists
generate irrele,ant traffic* if the) +o an)thing at all. Most of the people that 7oin them
are onl) intereste+ in promoting their site* not b$)ing an)thing. Secon+l)* in regar+s to
a$tos$rfs* especiall) the ones that pa) mone)* man) are +ownright fra$+$lent. The)
operate on a ponBi basis* meaning that f$n+s are poole+ onl) from the mone) contrib$te+
b) new members. Once new members stop 7oining the site* the a$tos$rf collapses an+
closes shop. This is of co$rse if the) e,en get to that point* since a$tos$rf webmasters
ha,e been nown to 7$st tae the mone) an+ r$n.
With that being sai+* what0s the best approach to safelists an+ a$tos$rfs- Well* when it
comes to a+,ertising* it0s best if )o$ $se both to promote sites that offer things that are of
interest to webmasters. These t)pes of a+s are more liel) to catch their attention than an
a+ abo$t some ran+om wi+get. In fact* remember rea+ing earlier abo$t .+somatic.com*
the online classifie+ site )o$ co$l+ b$)- If )o$ a+,ertise this on safelists* )o$ are more
liel) to catch the attention of webmasters beca$se )o$ are offering something the) are
ob,io$sl) intereste+ in: free a+,ertising. When the) post their a+,ertisement* )o$0ll get a
chance to a++ them to )o$r email list* which is maintaine+ thro$gh the .+somatic.com
networ.
In terms of tr)ing to a,oi+ getting shafte+ b) a$tos$rfs* it0s best to tr) to $se ones that are
!::N free. It0s $s$all) the ones that as for mone) $pfront that ca$ses problems* as the
free ones are reall) no +ifferent than email<base+ safelists. If )o$ +o want to ,ent$re into
the worl+ of pai+ a$tos$rfs* loo at ones that generate income thro$gh means other than
new memberships. These are more liel) to be legitimate tho$gh be warne+ that e,en in
these sit$ations* )o$ can ne,er be s$re if the webmaster is 7$st going to r$n awa) with
)o$r mone).
'. 6mail Mareting
6mail mareting is best +one once )o$ ha,e establishe+ a large stream of traffic to )o$r
website. To prepare )o$r site for email mareting* pro,i+e a section where )o$ are
gi,ing awa) a 9freebie.0 This freebie can be merchan+ise* an e<boo or an informati,e e<
!9
co$rse or newsletter series. 3egar+less of what it is* mae )o$r ,isitor s$bscribe to )o$r
email list b) pro,i+ing their name an+ email a++ress. The) can this b) $sing a form )o$
place on )o$r website. To create a form* select the form option from )o$r 8TM1 e+itor
or a++ the I#O3MJ tag to )o$r 8TM1 co+e. Once the form is li,e* an) information
containe+ within will be sent to )o$r email inbo/ once the ,isitor hits the 9S$bmit0
b$tton.
.s )o$ are b$il+ing $p )o$r email list* consi+er $sing an email mareting ser,ice s$ch as
ConstantContact.com to help eep things organiBe+. .++itionall)* email mareting
ser,ices help )o$ sen+ 8TM1<base+ emails* 4which are basicall) emails that ha,e the
same graphical appearance as a webpage5. This incl$+es being able to sen+ s$r,e)
emails* which are $sef$l if )o$ are tr)ing to learn what t)pe of pro+$cts or ser,ices )o$r
,isitors are intereste+ in b$)ing.
When )o$ start sen+ing off )o$r emails* tr) not to mae them into a blatant
a+,ertisement. Instea+* pro,i+e a series of informati,e articles* 4also nown as e<co$rses
or newsletters5 an+ gra+$all) 9b$il+ $p0 to )o$r a+,ertisement. If )o$ +o not ha,e time to
write goo+ articles for )o$r email mareting efforts* )o$ co$l+ hire ghostwriters or $se
pri,ate label content.
9. Liral Mareting
If )o$ +eci+e to $se an e<boo as the 9+raw0 to get ,isitors on )o$r email list* )o$ can
tae a+,antage of ,iral mareting. What happens is as )o$ are writing )o$r content* )o$
wo$l+ incl$+e affiliate lins or e,en lins to other websites )o$ might be $sing. Then*
)o$ wo$l+ offer resale rights with )o$r e<boo. Mae s$re )o$ specif) the e<boo has
resale rights onl)* so )o$ can be more ass$re+ that the content within them won0t get
change+. This is essential beca$se it is thro$gh the content that )o$ get the hope that
others will b$) from )o$r affiliate lins or website 231S.
8ere is where the concept of ,iral mareting comes in. People will +ownloa+ )o$r e<
boo beca$se the) are getting $sef$l information for free. Pl$s the) are getting a pro+$ct
that the) can sell for themsel,es on their own websites. When the) +o sell* since the
content cannot be altere+* )o$r affiliate lins or website 231S get e/pose+ to a whole
new set of e)es. If this new person +eci+es to resell )o$r e<boo* all of their c$stomers
will also get a chance to see )o$r lins* increasing the probabilit) that )o$0ll get sales or
lea+s. This process will contin$e $ntil interest in )o$r e<boo wanes.
Pai+ Online Mareting Metho+s
!. Pa)<Per<Clic
In Chapter One )o$ learne+ abo$t the 9p$blisher0 si+e of pa)<per<clics* where )o$
wo$l+ incorporate pa)<per<clic a+s on )o$r website as an income stream. Well* )o$ can
also tae a+,antage of the a+,ertising si+e of pa)<per<clics for traffic b$il+ing. If )o$
+o so )o$r a+ will appear in two ,en$es: the websites associate+ with the pa)<per<clic
%:
networ )o$0re woring with an+ ne/t to the search engine res$lts. Tae a loo at the
screenshot below to see an e/ample of the latter.
In this e/ample* )o$ see the pa)<per<clics associate+ with @oogle search engine res$lts.
These are nown as .+wor+s. Of co$rse* +on0t conf$se this with .+sense. .ltho$gh
both programs are pa)<per<clic* .+wor+s is what is $se+ b) a+,ertisers to promote their
sites* while .+sense is $se+ b) p$blishers to generate re,en$e. &o$ are free to sign $p
for both acco$nts if )o$ want* b$t )o$0ll ha,e to $se each program separatel). This
means )o$ won0t be able to +o .+sense things thro$gh )o$r .+wor+s acco$nt or ,isa<
,ersa.
With that being sai+* how +oes .+wor+s wor- (asicall)* )o$ place bi+s for )o$r
+esire+ e)wor+s. The higher )o$r bi+* the higher )o$r placement will be in the
.+wor+s listings. (i+s can range from .:! to h$n+re+s or e,en tho$san+s of +ollars.
.+wor+s allows )o$ to place a +ail) 9cap0 on how m$ch )o$ spen+ so )o$ +on0t r$n o$t
of mone) +$ring )o$r a+,ertising campaign. In terms of pa)ment itself* generall) )o$
pa) when clics are generate+* tho$gh there are times .+wor+s will charge )o$ if )o$ get
a lot of impressions.
There are two things to eep in min+ with a+,ertising with pa)<per<clics. #irst* )o$ will
want +o some research with e)wor+ anal)Bers s$ch as Wor+ Tracer to fin+ more
abstract terms to bi+ on thro$gh the pa)<per<clic networ. More comple/ PPCs s$ch as
.+sense will incl$+e their own e)wor+ anal)Bers* b$t the) ten+ not to be as effecti,e if
$se+ b) themsel,es. So* $se them in con7$nction with pai+ e)wor+ anal)Bers. The
secon+ thing to remember is that lesser<nown pa)<per<clics s$ch as (i+,ertiser.com
%!
ma) offer more affor+able e)wor+s. &o$ will not get as m$ch +istrib$tion as )o$ wo$l+
with @oogle b$t )o$ co$l+ get a higher spot for more 9generaliBe+0 e)wor+s which
co$l+ e>$ate to more traffic.
%. ($)ing .+,ertising Space
($)ing a+,ertising space from other websites is an e/cellent wa) to not onl) b$il+ traffic
b$t to also get one<wa) inbo$n+ lins. &o$ can $se ser,ices lie .+brite.com* 4which
)o$ learne+ abo$t in Chapter One5* to fin+ a+,ertisers* or )o$ co$l+ $se 6<(a). .nother
option is to search for them )o$rself.
When fin+ing sites to a+,ertise on* consi+er their search engine raning an+ their
rele,ance to the e)wor+s feat$re+ on )o$r site. If )o$ a+,ertise on a site that +oes not
relate to )o$r content* )o$ will not get as m$ch of an a+,antage with search engine bots.
3. .ffiliate Mareting or CP. .+s
3emember rea+ing abo$t affiliate mareting in Chapter One- Well* if )o$ embar on the
merchant en+ of it* )o$ ha,e a ,er) effecti,e wa) of bringing traffic to )o$r website. To
start an affiliate program* )o$ ha,e se,eral options a,ailable to )o$. The easiest is to 7oin
an affiliate networ* s$ch as Commission ;$nction* 4which was mentione+ pre,io$sl)5.
8owe,er* )o$ will nee+ to a significant amo$nt of f$n+s $pfront to be able to pa)
affiliates. If )o$ wo$l+ prefer to pa) as )o$r sales are being ma+e* consi+er creating an
affiliate program on )o$r own. &o$ can +o this b) incorporating affiliate scripts within
)o$r website. These can be installe+ b) )o$ or a web +esigner. 1astl)* if )o$ ha,e
create+ an e<boo* software or an) other t)pe of electronic pro+$ct* consi+er $sing
Clicban for )o$r affiliate nee+s. &o$ +o not nee+ f$n+s $pfront to get in,ol,e+ in the
merchant si+e of Clicban0s affiliate program. &o$ also +o not nee+ technical e/pertise
as Clicban taes care of e,er)thing.
If affiliate mareting isn0t )o$r thing* )o$ can also loo into the merchant en+ of CP.
a+s. .s )o$ pre,io$sl) rea+* CP. networs s$ch as .Boogle.com wor thro$gh a+s that
resemble pa)<per<clics* b$t pa) when an action occ$rs. 8owe,er* be aware that
networs lie .Boogle.com ma) also want mone) $pfront. In fact* if )o$ act$all) ,isit
.Boogle.com )o$ will not be able to fin+ +irect pricing information on the site* a sign that
the cost to wor with them is going to be high.
=. Incenti,e Mareting
Incenti,e mareting is a contro,ersial metho+ of online a+,ertising. The most pop$lar
are 9pai+<to0 sites* s$ch as pai+ email* sign$ps or pa)<to<clic* 4+on0t conf$se with this
with pa)<per<clics* which +o not generate income for ,isitors who clic on them5. .s
)o$ might e/pect* each of these t)pes of sites pa) their ,isitors to ,iew a+,ertisements.
The $psi+e to these sites is that their pricing ten+s to be e/tremel) low. Man) of them
will charge less than ?A: to sen+ o$t emails to tho$san+s of members in their networ.
%%
.n+ b) the fact that members onl) get pai+ if the) act$all) ,iew )o$r a+,ertisement* )o$
can be ass$re+ that )o$r mone) is not waste+. 8owe,er* it is this ,er) element that man)
webmasters are $ncomfortable with. The) feel that ,isitors are not ,iewing )o$r a+ o$t
of gen$ine interest* b$t rather beca$se the) are getting pai+ 4literall)5 a few pennies. In
fact* for this reason* man) companies ref$se to wor with webmasters who $se incenti,e
mareting as a means for generating traffic.
&et* +on0t let this +eter )o$ from incenti,e mareting. The main e)* in the case of
affiliate programs* is to fin+ companies that are still willing to wor with )o$.
.++itionall)* )o$ will want to tr) an+ a+,ertise things that are more liel) to appeal to
those in a 9pa)<to0 networ. ($siness opport$nities* other pai+<to<networs an+ freebies
wor well with this maret. If )o$r website +oes not feat$re these things $se )o$r own
incenti,e mareting tactic to tr) to at least get pai+<to members on )o$r email list. &o$
learne+ abo$t these metho+s earlier* b$t to refresh )o$r memor)* basicall) these tactics
co$l+ in,ol,e offering ,isitors a free e<boo* merchan+ise* e<co$rse or newsletter.
6,ent$all)* )o$ ma) want to consi+er r$nning )o$r own incenti,e mareting site. To
create one* )o$ will nee+ to b$) special scripts. One of the companies offering these
t)pes of scripts is @etpai+websites.com.
A. ($)ing Traffic
1ie incenti,e mareting b$)ing traffic is ,er) contro,ersial. One of the main reasons
this is the case is beca$se )o$ can ne,er now for s$re if )o$r traffic is legitimate.
2nscr$p$lo$s companies offering traffic for sale might generate false traffic from bots*
programs which pro,i+e artificial hits to )o$r website. Others might generate traffic
from incenti,e mareting networs which not e,er)one lies.
If )o$ +o +eci+e to b$) traffic* it0s best to get it from companies that $se+ e/pire+ +omain
names. What the) +o is the) point the e/pire+ +omain name to )o$r website* so )o$ can
get the a+,antage of the traffic )o$rself. Traffic(ri+ge.com is an e/ample of a compan)
that +oes this.
Offline Mareting Metho+s
!. Cirect Mail
Cirect mail is when )o$ sen+ a+,ertisements thro$gh mailings. These mailings can be
postcar+s* fl)ers or broch$res. Cost<wise* a +irect mail campaign can range from a few
h$n+re+ +ollars to a few tho$san+s* +epen+ing on how man) mailings )o$ are sen+ing
o$t. .ltho$gh )o$ will pa) some mone) for printo$ts an+ en,elopes* most of the mone)
spent on a +irect mail campaign goes for stamps an+ the a++ress list* 4which can be
obtaine+ from +irect mail companies s$ch as Cirectmail.com5. &o$ can tr) to circ$m,ent
some of the costs for the a++ress list if )o$ fin+ a++resses thro$gh the White Pages or the
&ellow Pages. The +ownsi+e to +oing this is that all of the a++resses )o$0ll obtain will
be 9general.0 .++resses thro$gh a mailing list can be specifie+ accor+ing to ,ario$s
%3
factors s$ch as home ownership* age an+ marital stat$s. &et* if )o$ get too man)
a++resses from a mailing list* )o$0ll be shelling o$t tho$san+s of +ollars.
So* what0s the best strateg) for +irect mailing- Start small if )o$ are low on f$n+s.
2SPS.com sells !:: stamps for ?=!.::* so )o$ can mae !:: )o$r magic n$mber if )o$
want. Then )o$ can get )o$r en,elopes an+ paper. (oth of these sho$l+ cost less than
?A:* e,en if )o$ b$) them in b$l. Dow )o$ nee+ )o$r mailing list. If )o$ get onl) !::
lea+s at a time )o$0ll pa) ?%A if )o$ $se Cirectmail.com. Once )o$ ha,e gotten )o$r
lea+s* )o$ are rea+) to sen+ off )o$r a+,ertisements. When )o$ get to this step* tr) to
sen+ highl) targete+ a+s. &o$ want to tr) to get a s$ccess rate of !:N* which wo$l+
e>$ate to !: potential sales* 4if )o$ are sen+ing !:: +irect mails at a time5. Heep in min+
the e)wor+ is 9potential0. People won0t necessaril) b$) from mailings* b$t if the) lie
)o$r site eno$gh the) ma) boomar it an+ +eci+e to b$) later. &o$ increase the
lielihoo+ of them b$)ing e,en more if )o$ gi,e them a chance to s$bscribe to )o$r
email list. These metho+s ha,e alrea+) been +escribe+ in the 9email mareting0 section
of this chapter.
%. #ree ($lletin (oar+ .+s
Man) grocer) stores an+ fast foo+ places offer free comm$nit) a+,ertising on b$lletin
boar+s. .ltho$gh )o$ probabl) won0t get tho$san+s to )o$r site posting on free b$lletin
boar+s* still tae a+,antage of it. People +o occasionall) loo at these a+s* which co$l+
con,ert to a sale or two for )o$r website. Pl$s* how man) opport$nities +o )o$ get to
tae a+,antage of free a+,ertising-
3. Car Cecals
When )o$ go o$t on the highwa)* )o$ are enco$ntering h$n+re+s of people that co$l+
ha,e interest in )o$r website. Well* with a car +ecal* )o$ can a+,ertise to these people
while +ri,ing. Tae a loo at the screenshot below to see some e/amples of what car
+ecals loo lie.
%=
The e/amples feat$re+ in this screenshot were from +ecals create+ from Streetglo.net.
The starting cost for them is onl) ?3A* which is ,er) affor+able for a beginning Internet
b$siness. Of co$rse* )o$ can get more graphicall) elaborate car +ecals if )o$0re willing
to pa) significantl) more.
=. Print Me+ia
Con0t neglect the power of a+,ertising on classifie+ a+s in the newspapers or in me+i$ms
lie the Pennysaver. @rante+* if )o$r website +oes not relate to the t)pes of things
t)picall) a+,ertise in offline classifie+ a+s* )o$ won0t be able to promote $sing these
,en$es. ($t if it +oes* consi+er taing a+,antage of them. The) are affor+able an+
generall) recei,e a great +eal of rea+ership.
A. @arage Sales
When )o$ are +oing a garage sale* )o$ are meeting +oBens of people that co$l+ ha,e
interest in )o$r website. .+,ertise to them b) incl$+ing fl)ers* broch$res or b$siness
car+s on )o$r table. If )o$ are selling pro+$cts* $se the garage sale as an opport$nit) to
sell )o$r pro+$cts offline b$t still mae mention of )o$r site. If )o$r c$stomers lie what
)o$ are selling* chances are the) will ,isit )o$r website to b$) more of )o$r pro+$cts.
". &o$r 1ocal Phone (oo
6,en the most a,i+ Internet shopper will still per$se their phone boo from time to time
to fin+ specific b$sinesses. This is wh) if )o$r b$+get can affor+ it* )o$ sho$l+ consi+er
placing an a+ in )o$r local phone boo. .n+* nowa+a)s )o$ can e,en incl$+e )o$r
website0s 231 in )o$r a+. &o$ ma) ha,e to pa) e/tra to +o this* b$t it0s the onl) wa) to
get )o$r website o$t there if )o$ plan on a+,ertise ,ia this metho+.
G. @eneral Detworing
Thin abo$t all of the opport$nities )o$ get to tal to people. Whether it0s at school* at
ch$rch or thro$gh social e,ents* each time )o$ meet people )o$ ha,e the potential for
getting a new sale for )o$r website. #or this reason alwa)s eep )o$r b$siness car+s with
)o$ an+* 4if )o$ can5* mae mention of )o$r website. .++itionall)* tr) to strie $p
con,ersations when )o$0re stan+ing in line* on the b$s or on the s$bwa) train. .ltho$gh
people ten+ to be more to themsel,es* most will not pass $p the opport$nit) to interact in
an interesting con,ersation if someone else initiates it.
%A
Chapter #o$r: Tracing
.s )o$ are mareting )o$r website* )o$ will want to trac )o$r res$lts to see which
campaigns are woring an+ which ones aren0t. Cepen+ing on )o$r affiliate program*
web hosting pacage or email mareting ser,ice )o$ are $sing* tracing ma) alrea+) be
taen care of* tho$gh it is probabl) somewhat limite+ in e/actl) what is being trace+.
#or e/ample* most web hosting pacages will onl) tracs how man) hits )o$r site gets in
general* not how man) hits a specific affiliate 231 might be getting. The) also can0t tell
)o$ where )o$r traffic is coming from. .ffiliate programs are better as the) can trac
which of )o$r affiliate lins within their networ are getting hits. ($t the) can0t tell )o$
where these hits are coming from* nor can the) pro,i+e help with how m$ch traffic )o$r
website itself is getting. Then* there0s email mareting ser,ices. .s )o$ might ha,e
g$esse+* the) can onl) trac hits relate+ to )o$r email campaign.
So* what +o )o$ +o if )o$ want website tracing that can co,er the complete spectr$m of
what is going on with )o$r site- &o$0ll nee+ to $se a website tracing ser,ice. There are
h$n+re+s a,ailable* b$t two of the most pop$lar are Lisitor Lille an+ Stat Co$nter. 6ach
are +isc$sse+ in more +etail below.
Lisitor Lille
%"
Tra+itional website tracing ser,ices +ispla) tracing information in boring charts an+
graphs. This is not the case with Lisitor Lille which act$all) t$rns website tracing into
a ,i+eo game. Specificall)* the concept of Lisitor Lille is lie that of SimCity or The
Sims Tae a loo at the screenshot below to get a better i+ea.
The b$il+ings represent pages on )o$r website. The b$sses represent both traffic an+
where )o$r ,isitors are coming from. Lisitors* 4which are not shown in the screenshot
abo,e5* are represente+ b) people that wal aro$n+ the cit) or enter into the 9b$il+ings.0
If )o$ clic on one of these 9people0* )o$ will get more +etails abo$t them incl$+ing their
IP a++ress an+ co$ntr) of origin. &o$ can e,en initiate an Instant Message chat session
with them if both of )o$ ha,e ;a,ascript<enable+ browsers.
The best thing abo$t Lisitor Lille is that )o$ can get a free one<wee trial. C$ring this
trial )o$ will get access to a f$ll ,ersion of the ser,ice. If )o$ lie it* )o$ ha,e to
p$rchase a s$bscription which will ,ar) accor+ing to how m$ch traffic )o$r site gets. #or
e/ample* !*::: ,isitor a month will net )o$ a ?!=.99 s$bscription pa)ment. If )o$ ha,e
A*::: ,isitors* )o$0ll ha,e to pa) a ?=9.99 s$bscription pa)ment. .n)thing traffic higher
than A*::: re>$ires )o$ to enroll in Lisitor Lille0s 6nterprise Plan. To get the cost for
this )o$ will ha,e to contact Lisitor Lille +irectl).
Stat Co$nter
Stat Co$nter is a more tra+itional website tracing ser,ice. 6,er)thing is +ispla)e+ in
charts an+ graphs. This is more boring than Lisitor Lille* b$t the pricing is m$ch
cheaper. (asicall)* if )o$r site gets %G:*::: page ,iews a month* the ser,ice is offere+
for free. .n)thing higher than this will re>$ire )o$ to pa)* b$t the pa)ment terms are
%G
e/tremel) affor+able. #or e/ample* 7$st ?%9 a month will allow )o$ trac an asto$n+ing
!A*:::*::: page ,iews. 8owe,er* eep in min+ that tracing b) page ,iews is not the
same as tracing b) 9,isits.0 Page ,iews encompass all of the actions +one b) each
,isitor. On the other han+* tracing b) ,isits 7$st shows )o$ how man) act$al ,isitors
came to )o$r site their specific actions are not incl$+e+ in the co$nt. So* tracing b)
,isits is more reliable b$t Stat Co$nter allows for so man) page ,iews in their tracing
ser,ice that )o$ can still get $se o$t of them.
So* what e/actl) +oes Stat Co$nter trac- Well* lie Lisitor Lille* Stat Co$nter will tell
)o$ where )o$r traffic is coming from. &o$ will also get more specific information
abo$t )o$r ,isitors* 4tho$gh )o$ won0t be able to IM them5. 8owe,er* $nlie Lisitor
Lille* )o$ get more +etaile+ information on what e)wor+s specificall) bro$ght ,isitors
to )o$r site. This is especiall) helpf$l if )o$ $se search engine mareting.
Than &o$
Congrat$lationsO &o$ ha,e reache+ the en+ of this e<boo an+ learne+ e,er)thing there is
to now abo$t how to create profitable websites. Ma) )o$r 7o$rne) into maing big
b$cs online be a prospero$s oneO I ha,e gi,en )o$ se,eral wa)s to mae mone) from
)o$r website4s5. If )o$ are $ns$re what to go with* I s$ggest the trie+ an+ pro,en* best
affiliate program right here.
%'