In the past week I have gotten over 188 unique visitors, almost 4,000 impressions (Iposted my links on places like yahoo answers), and 120 clicks but not a single conversion. I know I probably should wait a little while longer, but Im worried that my sites really aren't converting well. I mean 120 clicks is a lot even if the conversion rate is low. And if Im waiting this long to make like $10 or so per conversion, something needs to change. I have been doing a ton of research, and already tried adsense which didn't work too well. My niche seems to be pretty well targeted; the ads are for designer clothes, and my blogs are for preppy clothes like ralph lauren, so its a good fit imo. I have another site which has gamefly ads which has gotten clicks too but no conversions. I even tried putting my affiliate link on yahoo answers to people asking where to buy designer clothes and stilllll nothing! I mean these people are prime targeted traffic but still no after more than 20 posts. I have 4 different companies Im trying, so its not just the fault of one company not being a good fit for my site. Am I just unlucky? I feel like my niche is smaller than I thought it would be and have been getting discouraged when I only get 30 page views a day on my 6 or so sites combined. I mean two of them are on the front page of google for what I believe to be good keywords and still nothing. Im frustrated! Can anyone offer any advice? I just read so many things from posts here and other places where people have all this traffic, and tons of clicks yet my sites remain stagnant. I should mention that I have owned my domains since early december, some of them rank reasonably well, but I haven't noticed any significant numbers of search engine traffic at all (at most 10 per day). Most of my sites are in the 2 millions in Alexa, and have a reasonable number of page views. I have tried stumbleupon but i hear that doesn't give very good conversions. Regardless I have noticed some positive results, but like the search engine traffic, no more than like 10 visits per day. I'm going to try PPC with adwords and yahoo, but want a strong foundation of money making sites first, so I don't get wayy into debt. Sorry this post is rambling... Basically Im just asking for help or advice.
Hello How do you know your sites are 'targeted'? Seems like you are getting traffic and clicks.. but not conversions. I would look at targeting as getting 'buyers' vs. 'readers'. I think you may be getting 'readers'. People that come to the site to look, but not do anything beyond that. I would try a couple of things. - Maybe try a bit of PPC to get 'buyers' to visit the site. Here we have people looking to 'buy' and end up at your site. Be careful, but paying for a few good clicks might provide some clues as to why you're not getting conversions. - I would also think about EPN for this as well. - Your store layout is like a blog, and seems to not provoke the 'shop' mentality. Maybe try to make a grid of items via PopShops to give it a store perspective when you first enter. Anyway.. just my thoughts. Hope this helps, and you start converting. Good luck! hanji
But 5000 clicks is sooo many. I understand 120 is not a lot, but I mean like a .0005% conversion rate doesn't make anyone money when your only getting like $2-$12 per commission. How does anyone make money in small niches without investing huge amounts of time? I feel like I need to put in a lot of work just to get a few hundred unique views a day, and this might not even get me any conversions... That would be fine if it was like a made for adsense site, or I could just leave it on autopilot, but like when I don't post in my blogs or don't actively promote the sites, the traffic falls. Should I sell my sites and try a new niche? And the fact that people weren't even converting on yahoo answers just confuses me. Like they are asking where to buy what my affiliate link is selling! Ugh. Not making money is frustratinggggg.
Thanks for the reply hanji. I was thinking the blog thing might turn people off too. I see what your saying about getting readers not buyers. Wordpress is just really easy to setup and Im used to it so that's why Im using it... So do you think having a blog that gives tips or features products is not a good way to get people to convert and buy things? I mean my posts are really basic: just trying to get content out there with pictures of products to rank well for long tail keywords, which they do to some extent. Im sure there are blogs out there that do make money that way, but my niche might not be suited for it. What other kinds of sites out there use affiliate links effectively? I don't know if I could set up like a whole ecommerce affiliate store, but what are some other alternatives, besides blogging obviously, social site spamming with affiliate links, and unique sites promoting affiliate links? I need something that I can manage with moderate php and website creation experience. I mean I have all these somewhat well ranking domains, lots of backlinks, and relationships with a couple of affiliate programs. What can I do with that besides use wordpress, if wordpress is giving me readers, not buyers? I hope this all makes sense...
No problem! Yeah, it's tough. I definitely think that a store front would work better for you. I would definitely try EPN and use the WordPress eBay plugin, Kerosene has a free version if memory serves me correctly. I think a blog with tips is a great way to get conversions, but I also think it depends on the niche. I'm not sure about clothing reviews, etc. When I think of tips or reviews, etc I think of bigger items, like stereos, ipods, etc. Again, I feel that also brings in 'readers' not 'buyers'. Buyers want to see deals. They already know they want to buy, they just need to be convinced. They need to see pricing, and 'Buy It Now' type stuff. I think the easiest is to make a niche store front with EPN or PopShops. That would be a snap with WordPress. Then I would also play with PPC to get buyers there. With 'reader' sites, I find AdSense or paid banners the best. Readers like to click, so take advantage of that. Here is a link to PopShop's WordPress plugin http://www.popshops.com/faq/wordpress I think something like this might work really well for you. Good luck! hanji
Hi! I am just going to give a point, right now we are in a economic crisis, this is the worst time for Preppy and expensive clothes and jewelery in some parts, people are holding on to their cash, this is going to sound so funny but I know tons of people who usually go crazy this time of year making their own gifts instead of buying. it is not just you. when it comes to your niche it is of course going down a little but wait until cyber monday we might be in for a suprise or 2 who knows. Could you pm your site maybe there is some thing wrong have you checked your links, clicked on them to make sure they are good and so forth. Don't worry, ok.
Your shoe site is still not finished let me quote what is on it. This is a cut and paste, I would not shop here yet. This is your front page. of Shoezers Welcome to {Your Store Name} This page just shows you a possible home page design that you may want on your storefront. Each storefront typically has a custom home page layout, which brings out the most important news, specials, company information and other materials that you want your site visitors to see right as they enter. We have setup this content in the Topic called "hometopintro" in the database. You can fully edit this HTML in the admin site in Misc -> Topics, and then using the built-in HTML editor we provide. This is just one of hundreds of possible suggestions on the home page content. See many of our live client sites in our gallery for other suggestions and ideas on how they have designed their home page content.
Also in your preppy site when I click on the ralph lauren mens it takes me to womens dresses??? contact your merchant.
Once again, thank you hanji, this has been very helpful. I added popshops to one of my sites to see how that goes, and I applied to the ebay partner network. I never realized how easy setting up a display like popshops could be, but ill wait to see if I get any results from it.
I don't understand... thats not my site... As for the economic crisis, I agree that might be hurting me. And while there are always going to be preppy people out there, some of the people more affected by the crisis, aka younger or not as wealthy people who might want preppy clothes, can't afford them anymore, and the rich ones who can aren't coming to my sites.
You may appoint some people to post on be half of you some forum, classified site, directory submission. You may use some wonderful link exchange site. There have so many way. Some more expart people can help you.I hope they will do it. I have few sites. I got wonderful result from google adsense, cj & other affiliates. But,before one years ago,I am also on your position. But,just time give me this place. You need to wait some more times. Besides,you may choose some good key words for your site. I think,your key word is not good enough. Please find some people for forum posting, classified posting, directory submission & others. If you unable to find wonerful people,you may take other member help. Even,if you need,I am ready to help you on any purpose. I know your situation. Because,I face same problem. But,please wait some more time.You will get result. Thanks
Nice! Yes, PopShops is a snap. If you start seeing results, I would upgrade your account. I personally like avoiding the javascript method, I want the content to get indexed, etc. Thanks! hanji
That is a great point. Or crappy.... in the sense that it's true and is crappy for us. I'm definitely seeing an increase in clicks on EPN/CJ, but my conversions across all affiliate networks have took a dip in the last two weeks. So people are looking, but definitely not buying right now. hanji
LOL@ myself I clicked on Thors Shoe Site Thor Your shoe site is not finished like you didn't know that@ Thors