If you want to be successful as an affiliate marketer, you have to have your own website. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it does need to look professional.
Have you seen those websites that are completely filled with banners? I call them banner farms. How many of those banners do you think that YOU would click on? Enough said!
Now that you know that you need a website, how do you get one? The first thing you need is a domain name. Ideally, it should contain the main keywords of your website's topic. But, you can start with using your own name - or a variation of it.
You will also need website hosting. Somewhere your website files can reside. There are many web hosting companies, but be careful that you get one that is reputable. Ask some of your online acquaintances who they use.
What about the design itself? I believe that simple is best, especially when you're not quite sure what you are doing. All you really need is a nice header set in a simple template.
One of the most difficult tasks for a new affiliate marketer is to learn how to create and maintain his or her own website. But, there is software available these days that makes it almost easy. You can also use Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver is pretty expensive, and difficult to learn, for a beginner. You could also host your website with a company that has a "Site Builder," complete with design templates, included with the package. You just point, click and type in your content.
Some affiliate programs will provide you with an affiliate website that you can promote. The problem with these sites is that there is no way to build your own mailing list. Building your list is the number one reason you need your own website.
If you really believe that it's impossible for you to learn how to "do it yourself," there are many designers that you can find online that you can hire to do it for you. However, you still should learn how to add your content and affiliate product html codes yourself because it can get very expensive to have a designer do it for you.
You can do a Google search for "website designers" to find someone. There can be quite a difference in their fees so do a comparison among them. Look at their design portfolio and then make a list of the top ten (or so) companies or individuals that you are interested in. Record their fee, what all is included in their design package, and their contact information. Contact them to see if they are responsive to your inquiry. Compare them and then choose - carefully- the one you want.
In the long run, it doesn't matter how you get your website built, as long as you build one. It IS necessary to your long-term affiliate marketing success.
About The Author
Jude Wright is an author and webmistress of 30 websites. Subscribe to her newsletter, "About Affiliates Ezine," at http://aboutaffiliates.com for information about how to succeed with affiliate marketing. Visit http://judewright.com/XSitePro.html for an easy way to create your own affiliate website.
PREVIOUS POSTS
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Friday, September 7, 2007
Does Microsoft Show Hackers How To Attack?
After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating system, the software giant released a patch this past Friday to plug the possibly devastating "back door" which allows hackers to potentially seize control of any pc running Windows.
The latest threat, "Download.Ject," infiltrates computers after users surfing with Microsoft's "Internet Explorer" web browser visit websites infected with the virus.
This newest security patch covers Windows XP, 2000, and Windows Server 2003.
Several factors make this latest development more disturbing than past discoveries of security problems with Internet Explorer, currently the most dominant web browser on the market.
First, it demonstrates very clearly that criminals discovered they can use the power of viruses to very profitably steal important bank, personal, and credit data from people on a large scale.
Second, it took Microsoft what many would consider a very long time to come up with a patch for this problem.
Before a fix appeared, Microsoft told everyone who uses Internet Explorer to stick their finger in the dyke by putting their web browser security settings on high, rendering it impossible to view or use features on many websites and web-based services.
Third, expect this to happen again as new holes open in the future when Microsoft makes Windows more complicated, adds layers of code, and generally makes the operating system more complex.
This may sound like business as usual, however, I think this story actually points to a much deeper problem, one for which I'm not sure a simple solution exists.
Though free and reasonably reliable, many people do not automatically update their Windows operating system through the update service on Microsoft's website. (I won't even get into how many people don't operate up-to-date anti-virus protection.)
Whenever Microsoft publishes a security update, especially for a highly publicized and obviously widespread security breach, thousands of people will not immediately download the update.
In fact, tens-of-thousands of users will not download these security updates for days, weeks, even months (if ever).
So let me ask what seems like a very elementary question: By publishing security updates that point out very obvious flaws in their system, doesn't Microsoft also point the way to exactly where the holes exist?
Let me put it another way.
Doesn't this rate the same as discovering that the local bank vault won't lock and then announcing the details on the front page of the paper along with the dates and times no bank guard will be on duty?
After all, if tens-of-thousands of users won't immediately get the Microsoft Security Patch, don't those patches show hackers exactly which holes get plugged (and which, logically, must already be open without the patch)?
It doesn't take a hacker with more than a basic set of skills to recognize where and what holes got fixed and then reverse-engineer how they can get into computers that don't get updated.
Now, do I have a concrete, 100% bullet-proof answer to this problem? Unfortunately, I don't have more than a common- sense answer...
At this point, your best defense rates staying current on the latest threats and how to defend against them.
Keep your anti-virus software current, your firewall up, and your Windows software updated with the latest security patches.
Though not a perfect solution, at least you'll have a fighting chance to prevent, or at least minimize, any possible threats.
For more information from Microsoft's website, go here http://www.ebookfire.com/download-ject.html
About The Author
Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted visitors to your website or affiliate links... http://www.TurnWordsIntoTraffic.com
© Jim Edwards - All Rights reserved
http://www.thenetreporter.com
Thursday, September 6, 2007
What Are Focus Groups & How Do They Work?
Focus Groups, Surveys, & Other Market Research Opportunities Demystified
Businesses and other organizations use focus groups to research consumer and public opinion concerning a variety of issues. Corporations look to focus groups for general help in selling their products to the world at large instead of any type of direct marketing efforts.
Focus groups are usually conducted by Market Research companies. Market research companies are hired by the big corporations such as Coca-Cola and Nestle. The reason they do this is because the market research companies have the experience and expertise to make sure the focus groups are accurate and unbiased. If the corporations did this themselves they may not get impartial information and could make mistakes costing them millions of dollars (not to mention their jobs!)
So from here on out, when I talk about companies that conduct focus groups, I am referring to market research companies. These will be the companies whom you will contact, register with, and get paid from. This is VERY important for you to remember.
OK, so what kinds of focus groups exist? Well, generally there are two types: Offline and Online.
Offline
These are small, roundtable discussion groups on topics ranging from the latest features on internetworking hardware to new flavors of ice cream. They usually involve about 10 participants plus the group leader or moderator. Each session usually lasts about 2 hours and the discussion is "focused" on a particular topic, about which group members share their opinions. An honorarium of $40-$80 for time and effort is very common. It is not unusual for observers from the client corporation to watch the group in action.
In focus groups, unlike telephone surveys, people can be shown products or ads and can be given an opportunity to express how they feel and what they think in a normal, conversational setting. As a research method, the use of focus groups is less about statistics and numbers and more about qualitative matters such as whether people find an ad humorous, and why they find it humorous, or if people believe a product is appealing and why they think so.
Online
Online focus groups are a cost effective alternative to conventional "face-to-face" focus groups. Online focus groups generally invite 8 to 10 people to join for a specified period of time (90 minutes to two hours) in a specialized chat room. This controlled environment allows participants to view text, graphics, sounds/jingles, video or multimedia for evaluation and testing. It is not uncommon for observers from the client corporation to watch the group in action and send private messages to the co-moderators as the group is progressing.
Copyright © by Ngullen Rivera ngullen@gmail.com
About The Author
Ngullen Rivera publishes the acclaimed Advanced Paid Survey Review & News Blog. A professional Blog with a refreshing perspective and a strong focus on no-cost Paid Surveys List. http://paid-surveys-review-news.blogspot.com/ FREE Tips, Tricks, Tools, Resources, eBooks, and More!
PREVIOUS POSTSMonday, September 3, 2007
Content is Crucial!
Content is undoubtedly the most important element of a website. It is the defining factor for a website, that which catches the interest of your visitors and keeps them hooked to your site.
Unless what you say holds the attention and interest of the visitors to your site, the rate at which they would they hit the “back” button and say “bye - bye” to your site, will astonish you!!!!
So it is right to say that CONTENT IS KING!! And make sure you treat it like one! It is imperative for website owners to understand and follow the right process to develop content for their site.
Here are some of the basic points which should be kept in mind while developing content for your website –
1. TARGET AUDIENCE
The first step is to define your target audience. You should have an absolutely clear picture in your mind as to who exactly will visit your site. Once you know that, you should write your content in such a way that talks to them.
2. CONCENTRATE ON BENEFITS NOT FEATURES
When describing a product you are selling or a service you are offering, concentrate on their benefits not their features. Make the visitor realize that they just have to buy your product. After all, that’s the only reason why he would stay on your site.
3. GIVE THEM WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR, OH! AND QUICK!!
Visitors to your site are there for a purpose: They either want to buy your product, access the information you are offering or subscribe to your offer. And don’t forget! They don’t have much time to spare …so you have to give them what they are looking for quickly, without any delays! Hence, your first few paragraphs of content ideally should hit the bull’s eye and get the message across!!
4. MAKE IT EASY TO READ AND FOLLOW
Keeping in mind your target audience, write and structure your content in such a way that it is easy to read, grasp and follow.
- Divide your content into easy to read paragraphs. (Make sure the first few sentences of which carry the punch lines.)
- Use bulleted lists
5. KEEP THEM HOOKED
Whatever you do, don’t let them leave your site without making your point. Your content must talk to your visitors: Keep them reading on …It should be able to make a sale..and yet be subtle and informative…..
Follow these simple steps and see the difference!!!
About The Author
Akanksha Sinha - is a freelance Web Content Writer and Web designer.
Blogsrecord.com - Submit your blog to free directory.
Using Auto Responders To Promote Your Business
Do you receive email? Do you send email? Not surprising, a lot of people do. However, most people are overlooking a great tool to promote their business – literally at the tips of their finger.
That little used, yet very powerful tool should be set up and used TODAY. If you send me an email, regardless if you’re contacting me about an ad or if it's spam, you will receive a reply instantly. That email reply called an auto responder – generates a lot of potential business.
You invest a lot of time, effort and money into ads you place. Do you then sit by your computer waiting for responses so that you can answer the inquiries that come in? Like the slogan says, why not, “set it and forget it.”
We live in a society of instant gratification – and people want immediate answers. You can loose a lot of business to an inferior company simply because they answered their emails faster than you.
There are several ways of using auto responders – a few a listed below:
1- they can be used to provide contact information. This is especially important in establishing a good relationship with prospective customers. I want them to know I have thought out that they will probably contact me regarding an ad - and since ad space is limited by size and budget, I give additional details in an auto responder. I will even state “for more information – email: address@blahblah.com”. By using an auto responder - I can provide a lot more information.
Auto responders should be used to promote and/or re-enforce an advertisement. Typically, ads can only provide so much information. Whether print ads or links on a website, you can only put some much of your budget into each ad you place. A great way to follow-up with prospects is to add additional information about your services or products in your auto responder.
Yes, I know it's on auto-pilot but the wording in my auto-responder is geared to provide additional details regarding an ad and contact information.
2 -they can be used as a survey. Want to know what people think? Ask them! You'd be surprised by what people will tell you. This can be effective way for you to determine the wants and needs of your prospective customers. Depending on their answer you can set up an additional set of auto responders to directly respond to their answers.
For instance, ask your customer/prospect. Do you like this product in red or green? You can link each response to a different coupon which would be immediately sent to your customers email address. Direct marketing at its best!
3- they can be used to let people know you'll be out of the office for vacation, holidays, etc. Most people have probably seen this type of auto responder. But it is one that is especially important for customer relations. If a customer is waiting for communication from you and receives nothing for 2 weeks while you're on vacation, they will most likely become irritated that you took so long to get back to them. With an auto responder they receive an immediate communication and can decide to try and reach you via another method, reschedule the contact, or reach someone else in your company. But at least they don't feel that they've been ignored.
Finally, a very important note, this is not spam. Strictly speaking, when you receive an email from someone, they have opened the door to your mutual communication. It can be proven you did not initiating the contact, and that this is a response to their contact. Your ISP checks spam complaints and can verify the communication.
In an age where most everyone is scared to send an email for fear of being labeled a spammer – especially one that is promotional in some way, using auto responders makes a lot of sense. It’s no different than the person who goes into a brick and mortar store, and leaves with a sales flyer.
So, have no fear, add your auto-responder, you pay for the service as part of your email service. Every email program is different, so if you don't see a way to create an auto responder, contact your internet service provider or web staff to assist you.
Good luck and happy marketing!
About The Author
Kaitlyn Murray - web designer and marketing coach. A full-time mother and work at home mom, focused is helping people learn methods of advertising that will enable their small and/or home business to explode with proven strategies that can increase their bottom line. To receive newsletter about marketing and advertising go to: http://www.dogwithnote.com/mail/. Visit http://www.dogwithnote.com - where business is so easy even a dog with a note can do it.
Blogsrecord.com - Submit your blog to free directory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)