What causes your Website to Fail? There could be numerous reasons, rangeing from the products you sell, if any, and the number of Sites devoted to the same Product. Website design can also have an impact on the productivity of your Site. I believe alot of the time the author of many Sites, are so involved in making the Site "Flashy", that they miss the whole sales point--You want your product to stand out, not stand behind the Glitter and Bells. However, given the product and the Website design having an impact on the sucess--I believe the major downfall to be the Author's lack of knowledge "Of the road ahead"

When one decides to venture into the world of Affiliate Programs, or setting up shop on the Internet, to sell their own products, they usually have little or no experience--other than maybe selling on Ebay. To someone looking for Extra income, these Affiliate Programs, offering Turnkey Websites seem to be appealing, and given the usual Flash and Claims used in their advertising--it is no wonder that so many sign-up--it is also no wonder that so many Fail. So few of these new affiliates actually realize the work involved in getting the customer to the store. There is no Program that runs on Auto-Pilot, No program that you JUST join and rake in the cash---No work to it!!!

Promoting a Website or Blog can be alot of work, alot for an individual who has the knowledge and experience of the procedures. Traffic doesn't just appear at your Ready-Made Site, like so-many believe will happen--You have to get it there. Given the lack of experience and the fact that the majority actually believe it is as easy as the ads say, most are doomed from the start. Knowing little about SEO and relying on numerous methods usually non-productive, one can see how easily this new Affiliate can become dis-enchanted with his or her "Easy, Productive, and On Auto-Pilot Home Business". After months of Link Swapping and exchanging Website visits with others to increase their so-called traffic, filling their Site with ads, only to find that they achieve nothing--Nothing because everything rely's on Traffic--not hundreds, but thousands.

If one is serious about giving the Work At Home, or Affiliate Programs a Shot, I suggest they realize that it does take alot of work, alot of research--and time---it may be months before you make a dime!!! Visit other Websites and Blogs, to see what their using. READ!!!---read all the Free Ebooks that are written by the "Internet Gurus"--and believe me, there are many. Don't be afraid to ask these Webmasters, how to do something, or is it worth it, they may give you valuable information. The best thing you can do is---Stick with it--It is alot of Work--Don"t give up before you start to see the rewards.

When you’re just getting starting in Affiliate Marketing, one of the most important things you need to learn about is traffic – specifically what it is and how to get it.

Why?

Because although it’s become somewhat of a cliche these days, the truth is, “the money is in the list” – but that means YOUR list, not the list of the people whose products you’re selling – at least not if you want to be successful.

Here’s why.  As an affiliate, your job is to find people who want to buy the products you’re promoting, right?  So to do that, you need to write an ad (or hire a copywriter to write it for you), and send people to a Website where they can buy the product.

BUT – there’s a serious problem with using this method.  Do you see what it is?

Anywhere from 60 to 95% of the people you send to the sales page probably aren’t going to buy the first time.

1. Most people want to be certain that they’re making the right decision, so they usually need to see or hear from you between 5 to 12 times before making a buying decision.

2. If you’re paying for the ad and sending people to the seller’s Website, the ones who don’t buy disappear forever. (And neither you nor the seller will benefit.)

3. Of those who do buy, if you’re only sending them to the sales page, YOU still lose them forever because you have no way of knowing who they are.

Here’s the solution:

1. Write your ad and send prospects to a well-written squeeze page – YOUR squeeze page. (A squeeze page is a single page Website that has one purpose – to convince prospects to give you their contact information.  Squeeze pages should be simple – no flash, no links, and if you use a graphic or photo, keep it simple and make sure it relates to the purpose of the page.  How do you convince prospects to give you their contact information?  By giving them information that is what they’re expecting to find and that’s useful to them.)

2. Offer them an incentive to give you their contact information. (This could be a free report, a free newsletter, an audio or video product – just make sure it’s related to the niche or affiliate product.)

3. After they’ve opted in to your autoresponder, send them to your affiliate sales page.

4. Follow up with them on a regular basis – mixing good information, free bonuses from time to time and additional affiliate products.

Lather, rinse, repeat. (Once you’re making money from your first affiliate product, move on to the next and then the next and the next.)

The best thing about this is that you can set most of it up on your autoresponder, so you turn it into a “system” and it runs “almost” on autopilot.  (There is NO SUCH THING as a business that runs 100% on autopilot – and don’t believe anyone who tells you differently.)  Any business – real business – takes work and effort.  But by setting this system up this way, your autoresponder does the majority of the work, and you will only need to do simple updates and make sure you keep fresh information flowing.

Of all the methods used to draw Traffic to your Website, Linking seems to be the one most talked about by people in the "Know". Linking can be a time consuming proccess, that depending on your methods used in your linking process, will give you a nice return for your time, or just alot of wasted effort. Though alot of Webmaster's have the view that "The More, The Better" is the best approach to linking, this is not always the correct answer. Linking takes time, and if not done correctly, is "Time Well Wasted". So---What's The Best Approach For You? Remember---everyone has their own opinion---Here's Mine.

What Is Linking?

There are Millions of Websites and Blogs, written and designed on every subject you can think of. These Sites all desire to be listed high in any search engine. There are several factors to consider when developing a strategy to increase your visibility. One of these is traffic----the popularity of your Site. There are several thought's on the best way to increase your traffic. One being--Linking. You have been to Sites and found a Link Page where the Webmaster of that Site has listed other Sites that he feels will have some value to you. When you click on his link, you are directed to another Site, sending Traffic from Him to You. Easy to see how this benefit's you. If the Site that has Linked to you draws a good deal of Traffic, there is a chance that some of that traffic will be redirected to you! However---A Site that has little traffic, will send little if any to you.

Who Should I Link To?

Here is where we get to the "More Is Better" opinion. Go to a Site that has two or three pages dedicated to Links---Where do you think you'll be listed--and how many people are going to read hunderds of links, just to find you?. Therefore your Link is useless---it draws no traffic.

Visit the Site, check out the Link Page, Look at the Sites content---is it relevent to you. People going to a Website dedicated to candles are not looking for a leather motorcycle jacket!!---However if their at a Site that sells products for a motorcycle, a jacket may be of interest to them.

Direct Linking:

You are asking someone to place a Link on their Website directed to you. This will prove to be the hardest method of receiving Links. You must find a Website you wish to Link to you. Once you have done that, contact the Webmaster, and ask him if he would be interested in Linking to you. I have placed Links on my Site directed to other Sites without asking for the return favor. Usually this is done for need of content, or your Site has a Great deal of information that the Webmaster feels would be of value to his viewers. Once you have contacted the Webmaster--Wait!!--He or She will either get around to you, or Delete your email. It is that Simple.

Link Swapping:

You Link to me, and I'll Link to you---we're both happy. There are several Link exchange Sites, with thousands of members of every subject looking to Swap Links. You join, pick the Sites you want to Link to, push the button and they receive your offer. Remember two things I said above--More is not always better--and target Websites related to your content. In your haste to grab your Links, remember---you want Links that can be of value to you, links that have traffic, links with relevence to your product, Links that you feel will be of interest to YOUR viewers. Even though you will be sending them to another Site, the content of that Site will reflect on your standing with them.

Well--Like I said---Everyone has an opinion, and now you have mine.

It is a proven fact that people usually succeed at something they have an interest in. Therefore, your first step should be to research programs availible to find products that you have a passion for. If your Niche is photography, look at programs that sell items related to such. This allows you to have a working knowledge of the products you offer, and will make your Marketing problems a little easier--not only online, but offline as well.

Research the Affiliate Program your joining. Do a simple search on any search engine, you may find feedback from someone who has used the program, and has a point of view about the system. Think about the product and is it going to be searched for on the Internet--Your not going to have much luck selling a product that you can buy at any local store, for a small price. When do you get paid? How do you get paid? Does the program offer support. a Tutorial?

Promoting your Website--Yes you will have to do that. There are thousands of views on the most effective methods of promotion, and YES--I have mine.

Submitt Your Site To Search Engines. There are several free submission sites on the Internet, Do your research on Keywords, and Site Submission, and us the free Sites to Submitt.

Free Classifieds are another usefull tool, and there are several of them, use as many as possible.

Blogging can be helpfull also, create a blog and use it to promote your products. There are many Free blogging sites and a huge amount of INFO about making your Blog productive.

I cannot mention the effect of writing articles enough. Articles are a free and productive tool in drawing traffic to your site. You write your Article and submitt it to several article directories, readers read your Article and you can list your Site in your Author Bio. Does it work?--Yes--In the sentence above, I just informed you of the Link to my Site--In the Author Bio.

So---there you go--Just a few simple thoughts that will help you with your home Business. The returns may not be instant, however you have to build a foundation for your Affiliate Program to be successful.

Where do I go to create my Website? A place that is Easy to Use, and offers alot of the Tools and Support I will need to do it?

To answer the above Question, one only has to do a simple search on the Internet. Be prepared for the overwhelming number of Sites you will find offering this and offering that. There will be Free Sites, 30 day trials, 10 day trials, Sites that you need knowledge of html to create, and on and on. The first place to start "is with you". Determine what kind of Site you are looking for, a site to share your personal thoughts, or to promote your product. Once you have determined this, you can eliminate alot of the Offers you will find.

Creating your Site can be Fun and Rewarding. You control your content and the way you present it. You can list Photos, Images, Buttons--there are so many gadgets availible it is mine boggling. So--you want to get started? Below, I have listed a few places that will help you Create, Customize and Enjow your New Website.

Freewebs--Very good source for your Free website. They furnish you with over 300 Templates (what your site looks like). Create New pages, Edit Old ones, add Images, or Pictures. Their program is easy to use, and you don't have to know html.

Weebly--What can you do with Weebly? Create a Website or Blog. If you wish to change designs, do it instantly, drop and drag interface. Host your existing Domain for FREE or purchase a new one.

Bravenet--They claim to be "the ultimate source for free tools and widgets". After visiting their Website, I agree. Their selections include Web Templates, Hit Counters, Free Links, E-cards, and Traffic Exchange--Just to name a few. This is a Site worth visiting.

createafreewebsite--TON'S of information on Backgrounds, Bullets, Buttons, Images, Pictures, Logos and they have a html Tutorial.

Widgetbox--Gadgets for your site. Numerous Widgets to choose from-or create your own( I use their widgets to promote my Sites and Blogs )

Hopefully these Sites will help you not only Create your Site, but Enjoy the experience.

The majority offer a Ready-Made Website --with all the bells and whistles--ready to go. Many claim to be a Turn-Key operation, that will draw Traffic immediately. It is true that these programs have taken a great deal of the work out of your journey into Internet Marketing, however it is not a Ready-Made Money Maker.

You have your Website, your shopping cart, and all kinds of goodies to Sell---that's their side of the Deal. Your Side----Drawing traffic to YOUR Site. This is the reason so many fail at Affiliate Programs.

Pick A Program:

When deciding which Affiliate Program to join, you should consider what interest's you ( I know--Making Money ). Finding a program that you have a knowledge of their product can increase your ability to draw customers. People Buy from someone that gain's theirTrust, this Trust is gained by your knowledge--hard to promote something if you know little about it.

A program should offer Free Marketing Tools, Marketing is Vital to your success.

FREE Training---Don't be left out there on your own.

Several Products---The more Products you have, better the chances of you making a sale.

Get The Facts:

Have a Full understanding of how and when you get paid. Is there a Minimum amount before you get payment. How often can you expect Payment. How do they pay---Check, PayPal, Western Union, or Direct Deposit.

What kind of Support do they Offer---Can you email them with any questions or are you left with the FAQ section for advice?

Research the Company---any search engine will bring results---You may find comments made by other people who use their program. Find out Who they are before you join something that has no chance of supplying what you need.

There are many Affiliate Programs avaliable that offer you a chance to create an income from home, so do your research, find a program that interest's you, put the time into Getting the Word out about your new Business, and you should see results.

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