Hi, I am quite new to the concept of generating income online. I am mainly a graphic designer with some degree of knowledge of html as well as flash. But I have limited knowledge of coding using languages like php. I am looking to start my own website and slowly try to build up a decent income through adsense. I believe I have a decent idea for a website. And if all it required was just a an html of flash site I would have no trouble in bringing up a good site. But after going through many articles on the topic, I believe that interactivity and provision of dynamic content is a necessity to draw in good audience. This means that I would require my site to allow users to post their comments to articles and also have forums. And ideally it should have some database capability too. I am wondering how I can achieve this. I would want something similar in structure to this site: http://www.emmaempire.net/ I need to start from scratch (right from the issue of buying a domain). I am wondering if there is any package for beginners that I can start off from. One in which I would not need any scripting knowledge to plugin forums and article submission features. Is there any standard package that is offered by hosting companies that I would find easy to start off and modify later..? Would appreciate your help...
If I was starting from scratch, I'd start with a blog running Wordpress. You can build some very "un blogish" sites using Wordpress. Throw in some adsense ads (or whatever), and that's about all you have to do - other than post of course. Considering this is your first shot at a money making site, I'd suggest buying a domain that isn't too specific. Don't get a domain like "nothing-but-blue-cars.com" - get something that can easily be targeted towards whatever you want. Your initial idea might not work, and if you've got a non specific domain, you can try something completely different. When buying hosting, I'd suggest going for a plan that has cPanel. Using cPanel you can easily setup forums, blogs, whatever - all using Fantastico (google it) - with very minimal scripting/database experience. Buy your domains from someone GOOD and RELIABLE. Buy your hosting from someone CHEAP (and good). Welcome to DP btw
Click the blog next to my username...I just got this site up a running two days ago...real simple, but "un bloggish" as Kerosene put it...If you look you will also see I can put Yahoo ads in it...google will work as well. As far as hosting...resellerzoom.com has cheap hosting, which is what I use and all my friends use. They use cpanel as a log in system and its easy to learn. Now all you need to do is find a domain registrar...go daddy is simple to use and not that expensive. Hope all this helps, let us know if you need more.
Thanks all, @ Kerosene : I am more or less convinced that I have a definite idea for the site. In that case I would be better off going for a specific domain name rite? And what is your opinion about this hosting site: www.hostrocket.com Is there any particular one that you would recommend? @d16man: How easy is it to customise the look and feel of your site using the cpanel..? Would you be able to have your own skin for the site..? * As an afterthought, how easy will it be to include a pretty elaborate wallpaper section in my site? will i be able to get suitable scripts? If I expect it to have pretty high traffic what hosting plan should i be choosing..
Using wordpress, I can download any theme I want and put it in, its very simple. It also uses a separate login, so you don't have to mess with cpanel once you have it up and running. If you are only doing 1 site, I would go with their cheap hosting...I have my account pretty full, and I don't come close to maxing on the space or bandwidth...If you find that you do max out, they can help you with upgrading, but no sense in starting out paying too much. If you need help setting it up, wordpress will actually set up the site for you. Then all you have to do is change the template, insert your name, and start writing...you need the following: 1) a host 2) a domain 3) get wordpress to set it up, and then get an account with google or yahoo, and you are off to the races.
Sounds like you have the right attitude about it. If you want, I can give you some help. Just Private Message me and we can talk. - Scott
Great advice from Kerosene! I agree with this, except .. for my money, I'd buy a domain name that has to do with the thing you're writing about. Personally, I bought a domain name that is my name-- http://blog.scottmw.com However, buying a non-specific domain will help if you decide to switch gears later on, or if you want to use subdomains in order to do different projects. If you don't want to spend too much, I recommend going this route and it will save you a lot of money. Cpanel + Fantastico is an excellent combination. Domains I buy from GoDaddy, just because I like to keep them all in one place and that's where I started. I'm sure you can find a cheaper registrar but GoDaddy has been awesome the whole time. I've been using hostgator for a while now for my secondary hosting, and they're outstanding. However, I have been looking into buying my secondary hosting from DreamHost.com as they offer some outstanding plans but I can't vouch for their performance. Oh, also-- WordPress is awesome. I wouldn't blog without it!
Crap, I almost forgot to mention.. I just put together a free eGuide for people in just your place. There are a couple, actually. One is designed for those trying to get traffic and the other is designed for people trying to earn money online. Hope these help: http://blog.scottmw.com/2007/01/10/scotts-guide-to-making-money-online/ http://blog.scottmw.com/2007/01/09/scotts-guide-to-getting-free-web-traffic/
Applied...and waited. They excepted my site...it is a little hard to get into, but well worth it. publisher.yahoo.com Also, there is an "edit" button for a reason...mods will give infractions for multiple posts...
Making online cash is one thing how is another. Even if you have the coolest site you need alot to know on how to get the much needed visitors.enter seo:Search engineoptimisation will be your next step after setting up your site. good luck Http://seojiffy.com/
for your hosting, I would recommend hostgator. I use them as a reseler and have been quite pleased! your domain provider does not matter as much just try and use a bigger name one that offers a deal, then transfer the next year to your prefered provider. I registered some with ipower when then had $2.99 on and yahoo at $1.99 (for one year only) then I will transfer to enom afterwards. you can also look into some affiliate programs.