Here's the dealio: i'm a procrastinator. I've been planning to jump into the internet money pool since last summer, but for whatever reason my psychologist hasn't put her finger on yet, i've neglected to do so. I would like to begin making whatever amount of money I can ASAP, and hopefully that number will get larger as I go about my way, focus, learn and blossom. I have two scenarios: 1) I have an idea I would like to create a website around. Let's suppose it's cookies (mmmmmm....cookies). I would like to set a goal of creating a website that not only makes a decent amount of $$$, but is well respected in the chocolate chip cookie community. I'd like to see continued growth over it's lifetime, whether that be six months, six years or six decades (i'd rather the latter). Despite this hack~job of a post, my writing skills are strong, as are my research skills. I assume my first step is to begin writing content....history of the cookie, where to find the best cookies, how to make your own great cookie, what cookie fits you best, interviews with famous cookie bakers, etc. Complete with images of all different sorts of cookies. Maybe even get to the point where I can add a cookie forum. Also, I suppose I need to secure a domain name, such as ihazcookie.com. I would like to have a sleek, professional looking website, but one that loads easily. I have absolute ZERO knowledge of website building....but I figured I could have a website built thru rent~a~coder or some such place. At that point, do I have to maintain that website, or can I rent~a~techie as well? I feel like I have all the puzzle pieces in front of me, and have identified the corner pieces, but filling it in is the problem at this point. Once I have an acceptable amount of content, I launch the site and begin to place affiliate ads, tastefully of course, on portions of my site. Then I watch the money roll in!!! I figure I should be making tens of dollars within six months, no? Or should I... 2) Split my time building the cookie website, and set up strictly an affiliate site, selling dating books, weight loss elixir, fool-proof methods of studying for the ACT/SAT, etc? I don't know much about dating (i've been married for years), weigh loss elixer (i'm a big, fat fattie) or studying for the ACT/SAT (I barely scored well enough to gain admission to state college)....so the text would be mostly high-gloss filler. To be honest, i'm not entirely comfortable with that....is there an ethics issue with selling stuff like this that may, or may not (probably not) work? I'd like to be making SOME money within a couple of months...but if the first scenario is more likely to pay off in six months, i'd rather skip scenario two. Anyway, this is probably confusing to read, as it's been somewhat confusing to type (while drinking beer and eating smoked clams). Obviously i'm a noobie fetus, so any answers to my questions, or general direction from an experience webmaster would be appreciated. Despite how this thread reads, i'm very serious about my planning.
you dont sound it. Rather than make a joke about it and expect answers, write your post on what you want to know because by the post you made you seem to know the basics of what is needed. You seem to know a nice strong design is needed which doesnt take ages t load. You also seem to know that you need plenty of content. You also mentioned briefly planning was needed which is always a good place to start. So what exactly do you need help with? Be more specific.
Interesting. I'll be honest, even though you understand the concept of a site gradually increasing, I think you have already sealed the fate of a negative beginner trait. You sound like you want to skip the first couple of months of the tough times of making not that much. You will have to crawl first because you have a lot to learn. Unless you would like to be a freelance writer scavenging around dp and other forums for any writing work possible, then you will have to learn a little bit to be able to get around. What if a keyword is off, to one little thing is busted? You have to hire someone everytime. Also you have to be careful because if you don't know the market of the site you want, then you could buy a design and graphics for a couple hundred bucks and find out that its impossible to get visitors to it because their is too many of the type of site, and not enough interested people out there. You will also most likely have to manage the site yourself, but everything can be learned. OK, you won't be able to learn to create a logo or anything like that, but it doesn't mean you should be able to edit the metatag of the index file of your site, or add a link in your site. Also keep in mind that some website scripts do have an admin control so you don't have to open files. Its too expensive to hire for everything. If I would've done that it probably would have costed $40,000 now, and I did not make that much yet, that's for sure. Ok are not ready to make a major step. You need to learn. I recommend to grab a free or cheap website script that you can learn from. Something that has a lot to it, then try to do the SEO promotion thing on it and see if you can get anywhere with it. In a few months you will be able to do a lot more, and make a good desicion, not a blind one. At this time no matter what you buy, I'm sure that it will not be correctly thought out. What I recommend is that you throw up an arcade script or a wordpress blog. Both of these use SQL, and able you to deal with metatags, link exchanging, unique writing, seo, link building, traffic, adsense in profit, etc. It allows you to play around without the risk of torching something you paid big bucks for. Also this sort of thing offers support usually as opposed to you hiring to make. I am a professional. I have tons of skills as I've been in the business for years. Graphics, coding(enough to get by), writing, forum managment, sql, promoting, SEO, adsense optimizer, selling, affiliate stuff, domains, etc. But yes, I have not reached my goal yet. booo! Bad, bad, bad. It type of attitude will burn you badly if you don't lose it. There will be times where you need to do like 8 hours of writing some time or maybe submit your site to like 1000 directories. But then mr. Procrastinator will decide "Oh, I don't feel like it" then your site will just sit for months not going anywhere and you'll be crying at Digitalpoint asking why.
Thanks GrAveTzT...that's exactly the advice I needed. I realize my original post was a bit general and vague. That's the drawback of not knowing enough to even ask an effective question. My concern was that I needed to be able to code to properly run a website. I plan on taking a mini-course on website building at the local community college in about a week so I assume i'll at least glean a foundation of knowledge. If I have three or four hours of free time per day, would that be enough time to try both the wordpress blog and the arcade script? And yea, procrastination is a killer. Mine stems from me HATING to feel incompetent. I suppose that's not a unique trait. The good thing for me is that once I make that first jump, I end up emersing myself in a project. I don't mind failing really, as often the best lessons are found in failure. Thanks again for the suggestions.
I too tend to play around with ideas long before actually starting the project. You should know your place on the market and have a plan on how to monetize your website before starting but that's it. It sounds you have planned enough already. Maybe you should just stick with Wordpress and use it as CMS. Learn how to use it effectively and buy your own domain. If you have 4 hours per day for your project you shouldn't use it jumping around with different softwares and scripts. When you need help with your website come here and just ask or hire someone to do the job. You really need to buy that domain and start writing. You never get it perfect first time (neither do I) so the sooner you start the better!
Having worked in government I can now fully empathize with the folks who looked at me with bewildered peepers after I rattled off multiple acronyms or field~specific jargon. I love having to read these posts with another Google window open to reference. Again, thanks for taking the time to reply. I really appreciate it. Here's the plan: 1) Research all the terminology on this page that I'm not familiar with and keep a running log of terms. 2) Set up a Wordpress blog -- ?? in order to maximize learning, should I cover a variety of issues (i.e. Deep Thoughts, by neckbone) or should I find a specific niche and stick to that. Or does it even matter? 3) Study and become proficient at SQL. Honestly, that was an acronym I just had to Google, so obviously i'm starting from "GO". Does knowledge of HTML even matter anymore (serious question)? 4) In addition to writing content for a new Wordpress blog, i'm going to start also writing content for my "chocolate chip cookie" website i'd like to create in the future. I assume doing this in a word processor (Word, maybe?) would be fine....I can cut and paste later? 5) Come up with a solid domain name for the "chocolate chip cookie" website and purchase it. ??? Can you purchase several domain names and have them go to the exact same site?? Would there be a legitimate reason to do this?? Or is that a really stupid idea?? Would it be more efficient if #2 and #3 were flipped, or can I set up the Wordpress blog with absolutely no knowledge of SQL?
Many hosting companies have a 'one-click' installation of Wordpress - just check with the one you've plumped for that they do that.
Way to go. Like already stated setting up a Wordpress is easy after you've bought your domain (for example from Godaddy or Bluehost). I don't know why you should be learning SQL. Wasn't your plan to make some money online, not becoming a coder..? Instead learn some basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) skills and focus on your content&website usability (Take a look at: www.useit.com ). It doesn't matter where it is as long as the text is editable. You can put it online whenever you feel like it. Sure you can buy several domain names. It's not unusual to do that. If there are several ways to write your website name you might want to buy all of those and redirect them to same site (called "301 Redirect"). Many companies protect their brands by buying all domains that sound like their bran name. Forget SQL and put up that Wordpress.
I haven't set up Wordpress just yet....that was the first step in my plan. I have purchased a domain name through 1&1. I was planning to use them to host, but ran into a dilemma. In looking at this website: http://www.webmaster-source.com/2007/06/05/starting-a-great-blog-part-2-domains-and-hosting/ They state: What do you have to consider when you choose a host? * PHP. This all-powerful programming language is required to run Wordpress, the ultimate blogging software. Make sure the host has it. Well, when I go through the steps to purchase monthly hosting, I get the following message: Important Information: Switching to an MS Hosting Package * Scripting PHP,Perl and Python are not supported and will not work in a Microsoft-based Hosting package. Make sure that your website does not use any of these. * Database Linux Hosting packages use a MySQL database rather than the MS SQL database available in the Microsoft-based Developer package. Your data will not be migrated. * 1&1 Applications Please make a copy of all data in your 1&1 Website Applications and Communication Tools before switching your package. Applications found in your Control Panel, for example WebDatabase, are not stored cross platform. * Webspace The content of your web space will not be moved to your new package. You will need to upload website files again in your new package. Please make sure to have a local copy saved. To me, this reads as if i'm "switching" to a Microsoft hosting package (i'm running MS XP), then states that PHP is not supported. Am I not understanding that correctly? Anyway, I backed out of it and am currently researching some other hosting sites. In looking at the sites suggested by WordPress, I like MediaTemple the best as it doesn't appear to hit you with extra costs, and provides a high quality service. Any input on that deduction? Right now i'm going to get some sleep or my kids will run me into the ground tomorrow. P.S. Please feel free to comment on the quality of the "step by step" website provided above.