Using PPC only vs. creating a site

Discussion in 'Google AdWords' started by ajvan, Nov 24, 2006.

  1. #1
    I'm a newbie to Adwords, and something I hear mentioned a lot is creating a site to promote a product, rather than linking directly to the official pitch page from Adwords.

    In the last couple months, I've come out ahead (moderately) by promoting a product using only Adwords, no site... but I'm wondering what the benefits of creating a site are. When would you recommend making an affiliate site as opposed to using only Adwords? Any thoughts?
     
    ajvan, Nov 24, 2006 IP
  2. fastimprovement

    fastimprovement Peon

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    #2
    Making your own site gives you:

    - backend sales process
    - upsell / downsell / cross sell
    - customer for life vs customer for a single purchase

    That's just a minimum :) ...

    ... and not forgetting ...

    - tracking of stats
    - ability to split test landing page

    etc
    etc
    etc

    H

    (you might gather I'm an advocate of creating your own site!)
     
    fastimprovement, Nov 25, 2006 IP
  3. ajvan

    ajvan Peon

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    #3
    Thanks for the advice!

    Does anyone have tips on how to get started building an affiliate site? Or multiple sites...? I'm assuming you start by registering a good multi-purpose domain name - but what next?
     
    ajvan, Nov 27, 2006 IP
  4. fastimprovement

    fastimprovement Peon

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    #4
    I usually register a *specific* name (rather than a multi-purpose one), specific to whatever I'm selling. The cost of domains and hosting is so cheap these days it's worthwhile (IMHO).

    I have a hosting package that allows multiple domains, so I just add another to my account and there you go, done.

    Of course you've then got to design the graphics, write the sales letter, develop the upsell, write the back-end selling process, create the autoresponder form and series etc etc ...

    ... but it's worth it in the end :)

    H
     
    fastimprovement, Nov 27, 2006 IP
  5. duncan pollock

    duncan pollock Peon

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    #5
    I'm somewhat puzzled by what you're saying.
    As I understand it, you can't create an ad unless a click on it leads to a website, so what do you mean by "no site"?
    In any case, you need to have something truly remarkable if it takes only three lines to sell it -- and then how does anyone place an order.
    I think you're leaving out some part(s) of your story.

    Duncan :(
     
    duncan pollock, Nov 27, 2006 IP
  6. fastimprovement

    fastimprovement Peon

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    #6
    He's talking about linking directly to the merchant's site via an affiliate link.

    H
     
    fastimprovement, Nov 27, 2006 IP
  7. ajvan

    ajvan Peon

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    #7
    That's a pretty imposing tasklist, H! Sounds like some coding knowledge is probably required? Thanks for the reply. I can see that I'll need to do some more self-education before I dive in.
     
    ajvan, Nov 29, 2006 IP
  8. fastimprovement

    fastimprovement Peon

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    #8
    It's true that I have a little insider knowledge having ran an internet software development company many years ago :)

    One way to start when you have little knowledge is create a free blog and go from there e.g blogger.com or wordpress.com but it's a PITA when you've made enough progress to try and move from a blog to your own hosting (but it can be done).

    H
     
    fastimprovement, Nov 30, 2006 IP
  9. ajvan

    ajvan Peon

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    #9
    Well, that's something to think about. What would you say the biggest liabilities are with using a free domain name (like Blogger.com or WP)?
     
    ajvan, Dec 3, 2006 IP