Starting an Affiliate Website... how hard could it be?

The domain: ImFilthyRich.com

The Idea: Create a bold affiliate website that sells items that will help the user become filthy rich.

The problem: I have no idea where to start. I mean, I have a clickbank account and i've made a few sales... but my question today is:

What steps does one need to take to become a SUPER AFFILIATE?

 

Do you need info on te technical aspects of creating an affiliate website? If yes, there are many companies out there who can help you build your affiliate website (tracking etc.). Could you please clarify?

 

In all honesty, I have to chuckle at this. You want to create a bold affiliate website that will help people become filthy rich, and you don't have a clue how to even begin being a successful affiliate. So, how are you going to teach people?

If I saw this on your website, I would click it off right away. So many websites tell you they will make you rich and just don't/can't deliver. Also the "promise" to make you "filthy rich" sounds like a scam from the outset. You would be better off learning how to become a "good" affiliate marketer who knows how to make "good" money...and, then teach others the same without a "come on" that you can make people "filthy rich".

Go to any of the links in my sig. Then when you get to my site, click "Home" and start reading. You have to become a successful affiliate before you can teach others.

Jim

 

Besides the truth as told by Jim up there, you should also realize, information products are very tough to sell. People surf the web looking, in general, for FREE information. Getting them to pay for something they will likely find free elsewhere is difficult. You'd be better off selling actual products... products that people often buy online, use up, and need to buy again.

 

I have had no luck with my affiliate site so far, no sales

Hopefully things will pick up.

 

If it is the one in your sig....

- too general, feels like a mall with no real focus. How do visitors get to your site and what do they expect to find when they get there? Everything from music to adaware to fat loss?

- you make the user scroll to get to the bottom category selection on the home page

- almost everything you're selling is information or data... those are things people expect to get for free on the Internets. You would also be better served selling actual items... products... not information.

- the "click here" part under each item made me think I was going directly to that site and not to your more detailed review.

Good luck

 

Jim, I don't believe I said I was going to teach anything to anyone. I said I would like to sell products that would help the user become rich. I realize that I have no authority to teach, but honestly Jim... did you even read the post?

I believe i'll pass on clicking anything that you've got to offer.

As for the rest of you, thanks, I am a professional webdesigner and I work for a global corporation - i'm looking to create a second stream of income and I'd really just like to hear some ideas on getting an affiliate site off the ground.

What are the elements of a successful affiliate website?

 

Enjoy your wasted time. There is at least a thread a week here about someone trying to salvage a "get rich quick" affiliate site.

Lesson #1: Listen to people who already make money doing what you want to do when they offer free advice. IE: Jim.

 

- considering the domain name, I can't focus on a specific category, can I?

- about the user scrolling down for the selection, I tried for an hour to make them show horizontally, but the layout would always come out distorted. If u can help me change it, please do.

-all my products I sell are from clickbank program and they specialize in information products therefore I cannot give rebates on physical ones.

-what should i change the "click here" to?

thanks man I would appreciate ur reply

 

>>considering the domain name, I can't focus on a specific category, can I?

That is fine, but then where does the traffic come from? What are users searching for when they hit your site? You will either have to get rankings for each individual product (tough when 10,000 other sites sell it as well) or somehow generate user loyalty and interest in your site. Does it have traffic now?

>>about the user scrolling down for the selection, I tried for an hour to make them show horizontally, but the layout would always come out distorted. If u can help me change it, please do.

I might make two columns of them? Or change the size of the icon. This is just a sidenote though compared to the overall site traffic concept.

>>all my products I sell are from clickbank program and they specialize in information products therefore I cannot give rebates on physical ones.

Branch out? You can also try coupons which are available from all major CPA networks or even research incentives.

>>what should i change the "click here" to?

"My personal review"
or
"Here is my review"
or
"This is what I think of it..."

Something to make it sound personal like you are actually giving an opinion on the product that is unique. Adding "yourself" into the mix gives the user a one-on-one trust that they don't get from anonymous websites.

 

Hi Chris,

You seem a bit ticked at my post. That was not my intention.

Yes, I read your post. Perhaps one of the things you don't understand is you just can't "sell" products....you need to educate the consumer as well. Education is an intregal part of marketing...especially if you are going to succeed as a successful affiliate marketer. If you don't educate the consumer...give him knowledge that he needs...you will not be successful in selling your products...especially affiliate marketing tools. i.e. ebooks, software, website builders, etc.

Did you go to my website through one of my links and click "Home" as I urged you. The elements of a successful affiliate marketer are spelled out for you. Follow the menu items in order.

Jim

 

I read some of the stuff on your site and became disinterested. Although you may have some good advice on their, it doesnt seem to get to ever get to "the good stuff". Most of the info on there seems generic and the style of writing feels like you are trying to sell me something not educate me.

 

Hi Blitz,

A appreciate your comments. They always help me to improve my site.

I'm not sure what you mean by the "good stuff". Could you expand on this? My site is meant to be a primer for new affiliates and those affiliates who are not making money with their methods. It is not an "in depth study". If one does not understand the basics...could also be called generic...one can never proceed. My site is meant to lay a foundation, and is not for experienced or successful affiliates. They have already laid a foundation.

My links to products are "examples" for what I am talking about. Yes, I also make some money on them...I am also an affiliate (LOL)...but notice, I don't make much with the generous rebates I offer, and I only recommend products that I have used and have helped me get to where I am today. In fact their are a couple of products that I make no money on because of the rebates I offer. (Yes, it is also a "strategy". If I give decent information and good prices on good products, I anticipate repeat sales.)

Jim

 

Hey it's a nice sarcastic thread again!
Chris, you might want to check out therichjerk.com ...

As far as affiliate success elements go... I've read some ebooks wich explain some things, but I seems that its usually up to experience and trial and error.

I didn't launch my own affiliate site yet because I am still researching, but I would recommend some ebooks on affiliating and as an addition a good book on SEO in order to know how to pull the right traffic..

Gdev

 

Good advice Jim

 

Jim, thank you, I spent just a couple minutes on your site and learned a good bit. Not from what you wrote, but from what the site itself communicates and how it's structured.

Travis

 

Hey Jim,

Just checked your site out, and for someone that's just beginning with affiliates, you've got some great advice! kudos for that one.

 

Thanks for the compliments MattUK, tstaut and Skribblez.

Jim

 

Jim, I wish i found your website a few month ago. Maybe I wouldn't be using my affiliate differenlty from the norm.

 

Lots of good info on Jim's site and in this thread.

Love the way you guys turned this from what could have developed into a flamewar to a great learning and sharing experience.