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Sometimes it's not that easy
I came up with two good affiliate merchants, MusiciansFriend and Zzounds. Both of these online stores have massive selections of DJ equipment and great prices. Zzounds pays 10% commission while MusiciansFriend pays only 5%. At first you might think that going with Zzounds is the best option but read on to find out why I ended up choosing MusiciansFriend.
The problem with the Zzounds affiliate program was that the store didn't sell one particular profitable product that I was really keen to promote, the "Technics turntable". I own a pair of these turntables and I think they are a high-quality product. Since one of my pages was going to be optimized for this keyword I wanted to have direct affiliate product links on this page for my visitors.
This brings me to the second problem with the Zzounds affiliate program. It doesn't have direct product links. I wanted my visitors to be able to read my rave review of a Technics turntable, and click from there straight to the merchant's page on Technics turntables.
Whoops! Exclusivity clauses
One option I considered was joining both affiliate programs and using both programs to maximize the commission generating potential of my site. However, when I read the affiliate agreement of each program they both contained exclusivity clauses saying they must be the exclusive affiliate merchant promoted on my site.
I wrote emails to both affiliate managers asking to be excluded from the exclusivity clause due to the fact that their store did not stock all the products I wanted to promote. The response was not good. I could not put direct competitors on my site so I had to choose one program or the other. Exclusivity clauses are unusual. Use this example as a good reason to read the affiliate agreement!
In the end I chose MusiciansFriend because they had direct product links as well as very good prices.
The next step was to populate my articles with direct affiliate links to the products I am talking about. I also put a link to the general DJ section of the MusiciansFriend store on my links page.
I did not want to turn my visitors off by putting too many links up so I kept things subtle. When I optimized a page for a product keyword the only affiliate links I used were for that product. For example when someone searches for "technics turntables" they find my page on Technics turntables and direct product links to exactly what they want.
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I have heard Site Build It is just a bunch of bunk..Get nVU instead, its free.
[I've not only heard of SBI, my assistants have tested it thoroughly and used it successfully for several years. That's why I recommend it. NVU is totally different - it's not a complete suite of tools for website research, brainstorming, building and marketing. Allan.]
SBI doesn't tell you how much it cost if you want to build as many afilliate websites you want. IT IS NOT one flat rate and can get rather expensive. XSitePro is by far hands down the best on the market.
Hi Craig, I agree that if you want to build a large number of sites, SBI would be very expensive, because you pay for each site. If you want to build dozens of sites, XSitePro would be a good choice. Most SBI users seem to own one or two sites, while some have five or six.
SBI is much more than a site building and web hosting tool. I recommend it because of the superb business building education, as taught in colleges and universities around the world.
It's great to hear comments like yours. Good going! I'm a new SBIer and have so far to go but i like when sbi works for someone. Keep going strong!
[SBI is very suitable for newbies, true, but if you think only newbies use SBI you're greatly mistaken. Read some of the documented, verifiable case studies here:
AssociatePrograms.com/proof . Allan.]
If you can proof to us that you already have got MVP Award, just once is enough, from Uncle Gates, then we are just a puny newbies.
[I don't know who "John" is, but SBI user Marc Liron won the Most Valued Professional (MVP) Award from Microsoft in 2004. You can prove that yourself by using Google to do a site search of Microsoft.com. Allan.]
Hi. I'm totally new to this, and I already find it quite overwhelming. I have only used the internet for emails and just plain ol' surfin' the net. What is the fee per month to get a SBI website running? Do I need a domain name and/or hosting? Also I've heard about the 'cool little website.' Is this a similar product?
Thanks!!!
[SBI costs $299 a year, which includes the annual domain name registration and very reliable web hosting. You have to add your brains and motivation. You use the SBI tools and instruction manual to build your own unique site. You also receive a complete education on how to build a successful online business. Dave's Cool Little Website is entirely different. It supplies a ready made website, so it appeals to the lazy. The huge problem is that you end up with a website which is like thousands of other websites. How would people find YOUR site among thousands of similar sites? They wouldn't. For long-term success, it's hugely important that you build a site which is different from everyone else's. Allan.]
Actually, I have to say that you, Allan, have truly inspired me; and I won't stop applying my "elbow-grease" until I achieve my desired objective! Godspeed, and oh yeah, when are you going to have affiliate chinese martial arts programs. Perhaps, I'm going to have to manifest this! Huh? Back to the drawing board!
Thanks for allowing me to express myself on your site.
[Stick with it. Niche sites really do work. For kung fu products, try this search in Google: "kung fu" +affiliate .
Allan.]
http://www.googleyahoomsnaskdogpile.blogspot.com
[The above article is a case study. You can find a discussion on Traffic Hurricane on our affiliate forum. That would be a good place to discuss it. Allan.]
[SBI has many thousands of satisfied users. It's much more than site-building software - it's a package which includes training in how to create a successful business. That's why so many people choose it. Allan.]
Julia
[The best place to ask such questions is on our affiliate forum, which has lots of friendly, helpful members. Allan.]
[As a general rule, where you live doesn't matter. So living in Singapore shouldn't stop you. However, some vendors accept only U.S. affiliates. Once you've earned your first dollar or your first $100, you can use that knowledge to build more successful websites. Can YOU do it? I don't know. Between 3 figures a month and 5 figures a month, there's a HUGE difference in the level of skill and determination needed. SBI is an excellent place to start to give you a really good all round education on building a business online. Once you've earned your first $100, you'll have a much better idea of what you can achieve. Allan.]
By my 6th month I had made almost $100. My goal was to make at least $500 in a month in my first year. My 12th month I made $940. My 23rd month I made over $3000 for the month. I have held down a full time job while building my SBI sites as a hobby.
My first site while still ugly is still working great. www.compare-prepaid-cell-phones.com
Thanks again,
Rick
[Thanks. That's a wonderful example of how determination and persistence can pay off. Allan.]
Here's a comment for Ryan. I don't live in the USA, and have no problem with any of the affiliate programs or Clickbank because of this. You may not know this, but Ewen Chia is one of the most successful affiliates out there and he lives in Singapore. He's not the only successful affiliate from Singapore either. Just do it! That's the best advice there is.
Regards
John
I joined the 5 Pillar Club back in '04, I think, but have never done anything with it... seemed a bit too complicated for me... I have been following SBI and Ken Evoy's efforts through the years, though.
I am determined to buy SBI, real soon, so you should get your commission from it. If you were me, what affiliate program would you start with? I have no experience with internet promotions, etc.... Would you be willing to help me along the way, once I buy SBI, to get my site working right? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. I am, at this very moment, printing out days one through five of the SBI Action guide.
Thanks, Allan,
Terry Beckham
http://fun.business-starter.com
[If even the block-by-block option in SBI is too complicated for you, perhaps your not suitable for affiliate marketing. Perhaps you're not determined enough to succeed. You'll have to make that decision. If you do get SBI, don't look for an an affiliate program to join. Look for a good topic you can write about or a market you can serve. I can't tell you what that is. It has to be something that suits YOU. Design your own business to suit your skills and interests. Re-read Ken's free Affiliate Masters Course. You can find it at the Beginners link at the top left of this page. It contains a really good section on choosing your niche. Feel free to ask any questions you like on our affiliate forum. I answer questions there most days. Apart from that, I can't give you individual help. I just abut killed myself in the past trying to help everyone who asked for help. I won't attempt that again. When you get SBI, you'll receive full access to the SBI private forum where SBI users ask questions and share tips. It's a fantastic resource. Allan.]
Perfectsea.com
[The templates and block-building are just the first step, not something you need to stick with, and not something you need to even use, if you wish. They're just one option. If the templates didn't suit your wife's needs, she had the option of combining any other site-building tool, such as FrontPage or the free NVU or whatever, with SBI. Re your opinion of SEO methods versus Ken Evoy's, I'll back Ken any day. You need to remember that with the data he has access to from many thousands of SBI sites, he's in a unique position to know from analysing data what works and what doesn't. Yes, there are cheaper ways to build a site. What you get with SBI isn't just a site builder, it's an extremely valuable education. Allan.]
Thank You!!
[Perhaps someone was telling you that all the tools that are included in the package are worth $1500. Allan.]
Dont think so? check it out for yourself.
www.signs-of-a-cheater.com
I am quickly approaching my goal of becoming top 2% of sites on the web and I won't stop until I do.
Dean
M. Logan
During the previous year, I had shelled out over $2000 for design and hosting of a site I really didn't like (and was clunky), $3000 for someone who took off and didn't complete it properly, and nearly $10000 for someone who did a great job (but now I know it's not really any better than what I can do with SBI). I am still amazed that SBI only costs $299 a year. Once you get in and see what it does for you, you will see it's a bargain.
Anyway, I created a site with my horsecrazy 9-year old daughter just for fun. And fun it is! After some 5-6 months of work on it (part-time, evenings and weekends) we are getting an average of 380+ unique visitors per day from 30 countries. The SBI tools have allowed us to publish over 500 pages of content with the help of other girls who are horsecrazy. And my 9-year old goes in and edit and publish submissions! She is constantly checking her site stats, google adsense account, and coming up with more ideas to increase traffic.
I understand why webmasters aren't crazy about SBI. They may feel they are beyond that. But I wish they would understand their clients would be a lot happier if they built them SBI sites that clients could update without having to contact the webmaster, wait for them to change it, then write another check. (Oh, that's why.)
For anyone who wants to really focus on what makes a website work -- focused content, and getting raving fans who come back again and again, this is a really great way to go.
Oh, and Sydney is thrilled we are up to over $250 in adsense commissions. She's saving for a horse, of course.
[Yes to both questions. Allan.]
Http://www.chelseawebworks.com
[Have a look at some of the many other case studies which have been written and you'll see that a LOT of SBI users are creating genuinely useful, valuable sites and getting a great deal of satisfaction out of doing so. Here are some examples:
http://www.AssociatePrograms.com/proof
Allan.]
As I'm known for, I read every comment before I commented myself to make sure I actually had value I could contribute.
I am a proud SBI owner! My site has only been live since Feb. 18th but my visitors are starting to snowball slowly but surely. I've noticed to more I learn and apply (of course) is the better I do.
I bought SBI as a total web-business newbie. I could tell from reading about the C>T>P>M process and the list of tools provided that I was getting a great deal. Even if it wasn't the cheapest or the best, I just needed something that would work!
And work is what SBI does. Personally I don't know what "insider" trading goes on between Ken Evoy and the search engines :-) but I am riding the wave of success.
I am actually an affiliate of a few other sitebuilder software companies but none of them give you a complete business building package like SBI so I only refer them when my clients just want a "mini" 3-5 page site.
Now that I know there is NO LIMIT to the look and feel using glossy HTML editors I'm even more excited to be apart of the whole community.
My favorite parts are the forums (INVALUABLE RESOURCE) and the Master Key Word and research tools.
See ya in the forums Allan !!
I know where you are coming from when you say you have been on step 3 for a long time! I am just one step ahead of you (step 4) which seems like I have been THERE forever as well. But guess what? This is normal! Any successful SBIer will tell you the same thing. Just do not stop working with SBI and on your site and success will be yours!
How can I make a statement like this and only on step four; Answer: I have failed many times trying to start an online business, but never have I seen a concept like Site Build It! A newbies' dream coming true!! A am actually a little behind because I actually bought SBI with gas money I was supposed to be using to find a job. Then I had to stop working on my site to concentrate on securing a job. Now I am back working on my first SBI site! So hang in there!!
Thanks in advance.
[SBI is definiteely not just for affiliate sites. I emphasize the affiliate aspect because I'm an affiliate talking to affiliates. A wide variety of types of sites have been built using SBI. You can see many examples here:
http://makemy.sitesell.com/results/
The annual subscription fee includes web hosting and access to all the tools, private forum, etc. You can move your site to another host if you choose. I haven't tried doing that. I think it would be easier to do if you've created the site using Dreamweaver or Frontpage rather the SBI template "training wheels" system. SBI enables you to build sites both ways. If you have any doubts at all you can phone, chat or email an SBI Advisor here:
http://makemy.sitesell.com/question/
Allan.]
[This case study wasn't carried out using our own product. SBI can be used to build websites to sell virtually anything. I'm sorry, but I'm not really familiar with the Clickbank Review Campaign, but I suggest that you ask your question in our friendly forum. Someone there is almost certain to be able to help you with an answer.
Glennys]
[Not a lot of luck is needed. If you're determined enough and persistent enough, and learn something new every day and actually DO something to build your business every day, you'll make a success of it. Allan.]
I am from India, I have been researching on SBI for last two months and I am a regular visitor of Lisa's (2createawebsite.com) website and now I am here really impressed by these two case studies. Me and my friend is planning to buy a SBI site, he is really mad about car, car accessories and anything about luxury cars, he is a regular writer for few local newspaper auto editions and recently he had a tv show as well. But, he is just doesn't know anything about online marketing and all the online stuffs. I know well about internet marketing and I am mad about internet, I am very much interested to have a SBI site on my interest i.e online entrepreneur consultant where I can promote SBI (I can see great chance for SBI in India) and few other stuffs, not really "money making opportunities on internet" (or does it fall in that?)
Now we are confused where to start, whether with my online nich or car reviews? We couldn't find any car accessories affiliate programs in your recommended list.
We should get normal $299 SBI or e-learning SBI?
This would be highly obliged if you could suggest on this.
[If you haven't already done so, I suggest you carefully study Ken Evoy's free Affiliate Masters Course
http://www.AssociatePrograms.com/articles/302/1/Fr...
It contains lots of good advice on choosing a niche. Sometimes you can slice off a sub-niche. Perhaps a site aimed specifically at people in India might work. I don't know. Before you consider starting a site, carefully study your market and your potential competition. I live in Australia and New Zealand, but I usually prefer to create sites aimed mainly at America, Canada and the UK, because that's where most of the money is. However, they'll be huge growth in India over the next few decades. Perhaps you could catch that wave. Our affiliate directory contains many thousands of affiliate programs, but you can find more good affiliate programs by doing searches on Google. If after doing careful reading and research you still feel that you need hand-holding, then the SBI elearing course would be a very good choice. It's more expensive, but it will increase your chance of success. Allan.]
Thanks a lot for the advice. I will definitely start reading Ken Evoy's Affilate Masters Course; however, recently I was going through your Affiliate Program Tutorial in lifetimecommission.com and I found that you are referring Rosalind Gardner's Super Affiliate Handbook and SBI as well, but still I think SBI would be better option for my car review site (correct me if I am wrong and please note that I haven't done any research on Super Affiliate Handbook)and meanwhile I can have a wordpress site with "Thesis" for my online niche, could you please suggest on this?
[I like Rosalind's book. It's suitable for independent-minded people who want to do things their own way. I haven't tried Thesis. If you choose to go the WordPress route you'll need to find a really good tutor to help you build a successful business. WordPress is just a very useful tool. In contrast, SBI is a complete package - a LOT of very useful tools and a lot of of very helpful training in one place. Allan.]
Hi Allan,
I am impressed with SBI and the case study. I am doing my best to follow AMC by Ken Evoy in my pursuit for luck. My question is as follows: Is it a good idea to register one domain name like "www.good-name.com" and proceed with several subdomain names for keyword optimizations such as "www.good-name.com/keyword1,2 etc"? To be honest, I can not afford all 5-6 websites, So, I am planning to go with one. If I had an opportunity I would defenitely buy SBI package and go with it letter by letter. I hope some day this will be possible. Hope for your help.
Yes, I believe it's very good long-term plan to aim to own a cluster of websites that are in some way related. You could make it a 2-year, or even 5-year plan.
You wouldn't proceed to the next site on your list until your first was generating useful revenue.
However, keep in mind that while some affiliates build a bunch of sites, others start off with a plan like this but then become so deeply involved with the first, successful, site that they decide to concentrate all their attention and skills on one site.
Thanks for your quick reply
I have already build one website and had some revenues from there (not regular though), visitors (10-15 unique v per day). However, I only bought the hosting plan for 1 year so I could not afford to carry on with further payments for hosting and domain name. Now, I am going to have a 5 year hosting plan and 5 year domain name registration. I am still keeping my website offline and will activate it a.s.a.p. So you are right 5 year plan at least.
Thank you guys
There's not much point in devoting time, money and energy building more sites until you've learned how to build one site successfully.
Allan,
How can I get SBI? I wanted to purchase it but I don't have yet a credit / master card. I can only arrange payment for SBI thru the ANZ Bank. I have been reading a lot on SBI and I am convinced and now wanting to buy it.
I purchased my SBI in July, and now 4 months later, I have 77 pages posted. SBI is a fantastic program!
My other site - the old-fashioned expensive way (designer, etc) cost thousands of dollars and gets less traffic than my SBI site!
And I've barely scratched the surface with my SBI site in terms of linkbuilidng, CO2 submissions, more content, etc.
I love the community, the forum is very supportive and encouraging and you learn something new every day. My favorite part is being able to put on my SBI blinders, forget the rest about the web and keep moving forward.
If you want you can take a peek at my site:
www.parisinsidersguide.com
Can someone be honest and really say how money they've made with SBI (through ads or otherwise). I'm thinking of buying the software and hosting, but I'm somewhat skeptical.
Thanks,
You can find many more enthusiastic SBI case studies here:
http://www.AssociatePrograms.com/proof