Newbie Question

[rehder7]

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I am the ultimate noob to affiliate marketing. I know the basics like how it works, what i need, and what companies are involved. I know a few of the do's and don'ts of the industry and i think with the right tools and know how, i could make a good site. However, I have only basic knowledge of html and no knowledge whatsoever of mysql, php, etc. I've been lurking on this forum for a while so I know a few of the fancier things people use and i've reviewed hundreds of member websites to see which ones appeal to me as a 'prospective buyer' so I feel like i know what i want to create. Also, I'm willing to do as much research as is required before even beginning to code.

My problem is where to start. the amount of information on this site is almost overwhelming and it makes me feel like I need to do more research to make sure that i'm not out of my league here. My goal is to create a website that will come out even. Basically a starter website that will be able to pay for its own hosting. I'll move onto bigger ventures when and if i feel ready. I don't think that's too much to ask.

What I need is step-by-step instructions on what I should do before I even start developing a website. Would you recommend researching and learning html and any other languages first? Will I be able to make numerous websites using only website builders? Should I stick to a simple website designer first? One product or a mall? Would learning dreamweaver be worth it? What should my budget be? Am I out of my league?

How did you get started and what was your background knowledge that helped you?

Anything and everything you have to say is much appreciated.

[goforbroke]

I know what you mean! As someone who has been in IT for over 10 years, was on the Internet before Amazon and who has even worked as a professional coder on sites, a lot of the posts in this site do seem somewhat overwhelming.

However, all is not glum. I saw a post the other day where someone said they joined this game 6 months ago without a clue and was now earning a modest amount from his site. Good News!

The Internet is a great place and HTML, I feel, is one of the easiest things in the world to learn the basics of. A simple search in Google on HTML Tutorial will have you up and running with the basics in a few hours.

The main thing, I think, that you need is an idea. Personally, I think if you can design a content rich site which is useful to the viewer, which they want to return to, then add on your affiliate links, you should be onto a winner, or at least something which can earn you some money.

You say that you would be happy earning enough to cover the cost of your hosting. Well, there is so much free hosting out there, that you have already achieved that much! Free hosting doesn't always mean having your site obstructed by the hosts banner ads, either. Your ISP will have supplied you with free hosting space, so use it. If you want a .co.uk name, buy one from Easily for a tenner for two years, and have it point at your personal space.

I don't think there are any real methodologies to the step by step guide. You will find what works for you. Whilst studying my HND, which involved a lot of web stuff, I came to realise that a lot of what is actually taught is only the very tip of the iceberg anyhow.

Keep looking at the posts in here, obviously. The forum is full of feature rich content which applied correctly will help you move on quickly when you are ready for it.

But, the main thing is do what you feel comfortable with. Take note from the pros in this site and I'm sure they will help you along the way. Don't give up!!!!!

I had a few days of despondency last week, thinking that affiliate marketing was overfull, but when I speak to my friends, family and colleagues, I began to realise that most people don't want to go through the effort themselves of doing something like this and would rather leave it to the few to point them in the right direction when they want to make a purchase online. Now, THAT, is good news!!!!!

Good Luck!

[drivetowin]

The top ten do's and don'ts thread here in the lounge will give you some clues.

You're definitely going to need to either

learn html

or

obtain a copy of dreamweaver / other html web design package

or preferably both in order to create your website

Start with something simple and most of all build a site of something you're interested in - that way you'll want to keep working on it...

It's probably not worth creating a general shopping mall unless you really only want to make a few pounds - there are so many general shopping malls out there that yours would really need to be something special to make a noise in a crowded marketplace.

But think outside the box and there is plenty of money to be made.

Most importantly - don't be disheartened or overwhelmed - start small - keep at it - keep reading (and contributing) to the forum and you'll soon experience that buzz of earning your first commission...

[rehder7]

Thanks for the advice so far. It's been a nice picker-upper for someone who feels a bit overloaded. I sure can't wait to feel that buzz, but I am willing to be as patient as I need.

I was definitely not planning on buying from a mall. I've viewed some of the sites, and while there definitely are a few good ones out there, it is a terrible place to start out i think, and many of the sites out there are places where I would never consider shopping because the design of the site is so crowded.

I will begin in earnest with this project beginning on saturday, so my only research right now is in this forum. I just installed dreamweaver but haven't had a chance to check it out. Would those who use it consider dreamweaver to have a steep learning curve or is it something that you can get the basic hang of in a day or two?

Also, this is off topic as I definitely do not have this in mind for my first site for obvious reasons, but are casino affiliate websites even worth the trouble? There are so many of them out there and its basically frowned upon by google and people in general feel uncomfortable gambling online. I just belong to a few poker websites and I noticed they had affiliate programs as well. Anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks all.

[Wardy]

If you have no knowledge of html then Dreamweaver could be a great place to start. It allows you to lots of things without having to know the html to do them, plus you can see it on screen as you design with it, then there are plenty of sites you can go to for tutorials or to find snipets of code.

As for what site to make, like most people here your probably best doing it on a subject that you are interested in and enjoy. That way you enjoy making and updating the site and you hopefully won't get boreed with making it like can happen with sites that you have not much interest in. Also on a site you have an interest in then it won't be as much research as you will know allot of the information already.

You asked what your budget should be, well the main part will be your time. It's £6 odd for a .co.uk domain name then you can get some cheap webhosting for not much (do a search on these forums for cheap webhosting or look in the webhosting bit for some ideas).

Cheers
Wardy

[Wardy]

Originally posted by rehder7
Also, this is off topic as I definitely do not have this in mind for my first site for obvious reasons, but are casino affiliate websites even worth the trouble? There are so many of them out there and its basically frowned upon by google and people in general feel uncomfortable gambling online. I just belong to a few poker websites and I noticed they had affiliate programs as well. Anyone have any experience with these?

It is a VERY competitive area (but the rewards can be huge if you do well). Those that list well in google will probably all have good SEO (in most cases) so if you were planning it for your first stite then you may not get the desired position you are after. If however Poker is what you love and is what you really enjoy playing and have a good knowledge on Poker then make a site on it (one nig spending poker player could easily pay for the cost of your site hosting for a year numerous times over - providing they keep losing )

Cheers
Wardy

[moogie]

Hi

I have to agree, sometimes the whole affiliate business does seem very technical and mind blowing at times.
I would get a copy of dream weaver MX and try and get your head a round this, get yourself a site up and running and like the advice so far start small.
A good tutorial is http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/ here you will find some good advice. You need to know the basics of SEO as well so do some research on this
Good luck

[renegade]

rehder7
Welcome aboard, this is your WAKE UP CALL - GET ON WITH IT!

Every so often we see a posting like yours and having got over the hurdle of making your first post the next step is to stop researching, stop procrastinating and get something online ASAP and take it from there. It might be good, it might not make money but it's a lot easier to improve something that exists than trying to cover all the angles in your head before getting started.

As others have said, it's probably not a smart move to start with a shopping portal or gambling site unless you have some expertise and a niche. Frostie's sweepstake kit site is the most cunning niche site I've seen for a while - something useful that has potential "revenue streams".

If you can't manage a website try starting with a Blog. That should get you writing and thinking and a theme will probably emerge and you can try some targeted affiliate links that way.

Good luck!

[Malcolm Cowley]

Hi

I had no knowledge of HTML or affiliate marketing and still am a ludite when it comes to most things tech so dont feel overwhelmed.

Get yourself a free copy of front page ( just do a search in google ) this editor is all you need to start with if like me your will to learn anything complex is zero ( when you make a bit of cash you can pay for something better to be done )

Get a free ftp ( again search google )

Does your ISP come with free webspace? If so start there with your trial and error of putting up pages etc.

Go to somewhere like 123 reg and get a cheap domain name ( dont do this until you have a firm idea on your site )

The most important part for a newbie these days is to find a niche area this is the hard part , I know people who have great niche sites they love but they cant make much money from them but its still the best way to go. There are much more experienced and richer people out there who can compete through SEO on the competitve terms than you at this stage so build a site around an interest to you that that you will enjoy updating but that isnt highly competitive in google.

When your researching this just type the main keywords you think would be good for your site to target in google for traffic and if 10 million results come up then your probably bette off stearing clear for now IMO.

Plan your site and walk through it in your mind - do you go through easy or is it a struggle be objective. You have to imagine your visitor walking through and ultimately you want them to enjoy visting your site but always be leading them towards an area that could earn you money. In the same way casinos lay out all the slots at the front and hide the checkout desk in Vegas. I dont mean you should lay out lots of banners on your first page that would not work but the concept is the same even if the example is not a good analogy :-)

Send polite and pesonal emails to other sites like yours if there are any and then spread out to your genre to build up your quantity of links - 100 or so should see you right in a niche area.

If your site can have a mailing list then this would be advised.

As encouragement with a free copy of front page , free web space and nothing more than a niche site I was making £1000 a month in the second month of putting the site live so it is there if you get it right .

Once you are on the way then the sky is the limit and theres no reason at all why you could not pull in over a million in a year and there are a couple of people on this board who are in advance of that ( not me - yet :-) )

Dont get me wrong you will have to sweat blood to do it and a lot of late nights especially if like me you have a day job which I still have but the £10 000 or so a month from affiliate sites means that I sit with a big grin all day at the office

The hard work is a pleasure when your doing a site you love so make sure you start like that or you will quickly lose faith and interest.

Affiliate marketing is an industry which works very well for those people who dont mind putting the graft in when they directly see the results for their efforts as opposed to working your nuts off for a boss who doesnt recognise your efforts.

Good luck with your new venture and welcome to the fold

Hi wanted to add that when i first started i got a lot of good advice from other long standing board members so dont be afraid to ask what may seem like dumb questions as nearly everyone here is very friendly - without that advice my sites wouldnt make half what they do now and so like they did then I am always happy to pass on some of the things i have picked up