My first affiliated site - your views please.

**chris007** · 23-09-04

Hi

I would appreciate any views (good or bad) on my first affiliated web site.
Having asked one or two questions via this board previously surrounding the question "who is my capture audience?", I came to the conclusion they are students.
I'm advertising my site on my vehicle (I'm a Hackney taxi driver). I mainly work outside students halls picking students up.
I also have an in-car DVD system in the vehicle playing music - I am also advertising my web site on the screen.
I have around 8-9 of my friends who have DVD's in their taxi's who are also going to play the music videos with my adverts on them for free.
I am planning to advertise the site by posting flyers to students and also promote via the local university's message boards.
I may advertise via google ads but will see how things work out first with the taxi advertising.
The web site is
www.studentmania.co.uk

Please see attachment for taxi advert.

Can you also inform me if the site looks well presented etc.

Many thanks for your views.
Chris

**Malcolm Cowley** · 23-09-04

Hi

As first sites go its got potential - I wont critique the style layout etc as there are far more experienced people than me to give you advice in that area - what I would say though is ,

For me your forum and chat area are key to this sites continued success especially until you find your feet with the rest of your site long terms i.e adding more useful content

If I was you i would make the forum only members can post and all can view and then fork out a bit of cash ( wont cost much ) get an ad up at your local UNI for 10 - 15 people to spend an hour a day writing in the forum - this will make it look busy and encourage others to sign up and start posting - getting your forum busy will dramatically increase the succes of your site.

If you can afford it start a thread in there for the funniest story or something like that with a monthly prize attached like free taxi tokens or something like that.

Other than that I really think you need some content aimed at students rather than just offers - maybe some good advice on local areas or points of interest for students etc.

Hope that helps

**chris007** · 23-09-04

taxi advert

**skip** · 24-09-04

Hi Chris - good 1st attempt. I think content is king so I would look at splitting the site into different areas that effect student life.

How about a section on student books etc and sign upto Amazon associates?

Put a mobile phones section in, look at the offers your merchants are offering and then write some content that is aimed at students - so what is best for them in regards to mobiles?

The "i want one of those" link - I would put in a page for "cheap and weird gifts" review the merchants content and pick some products you think students will like - drinking games comes to mind!! Then feature them and push them with some content - why not do a story on using the product - make it funny etc. etc. sell in context

Make a finance section and again, sell in context, look at the best deals for students and explain why they are the best deal

Do a girls only section too - and then choose some cool products for the girls and feature them - review them - promote them - sell in context

I agree with perfiliate about using the message board - get some interesting threads going - I would even create a few ID's and answer yourself to get it going!!

I would put a section there on health - you can come up with some content on hair loss and sexual problems/aids etc. I would say hair loss though since I'm a merchant that sells hair loss products (check us out at AF!! Sorry - couldn't resist!!)

I think the main point I'm getting across here is content is king and sell in context - I think that many people will take a look, see a list of links and you'll probably find a low click through to be honest - you need to keep them glued to the site and interested enough to return and tell their mates.

All in all - a good first effort - something to build on most definitely

Good luck!

**brent** · 25-09-04

like it...

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Brent

**chris007** · 29-09-04

Many thanks on your help and views Perfiliate, skip and Brent.
I've taken all your information on board and have totally revamped the web site.

I have advertised the website via one or two student message boards and have had around 150+ hits in the last two days by doing this - but no income yet.

I'm very happy with the layout of the site now and just need to go through it for spelling mistakes and any errors.

(I also need a little time spent on the message board).

My next question is:

Now that my merchant list has gone from 14 to around 130 I'm looking to place adverts via Google ads. Is there anything I should know before I go down this route? I realise there are posts about this subject on this site but I'm starting from scratch here. Do I sign up to google with 0.05p per click through first just to test the water?

Cheers
Chris

**lewis_coburn** · 29-09-04

Hi

I don't claim to be an expert on the subject but when starting out on a pay per click account it is definately a good idea to have clicks at 0.5p to start just so you can get a feel of what the traffic for your search terms is like.

you should try using overture as well because their results feed straight into the yahoo search engine too.

I do agree with the previous comments about adding a health section to your affiliate site (but i would because i work for an online medical and health retailer). Students could do with an option to buy their condoms and fun stuff somewhere.

Check out blushingbuyer.co.uk and their affiliate scheme. It might be of use to you.

**jklondon** · 29-09-04

might be interested in advertising our mobile venture on the site - drop me a mail with figures :

dude_lse(at)hotmail.com

ciao

**skip** · 29-09-04

OK, can't resist it but go to Affiliate Future and sign up for www.combat-hair-loss.co.uk with Peak Nutrition Ltd (I'm the affiliate manager there) - about 25% of our customers are students based on the amount we ship to Halls of Residences etc.!!

Couldn't resist the plug in trying to get more affiliates!!

all the best

Skip

**aly** · 29-09-04

Try www.studentbookworld.com on affiliatewindow - everyone knows Amazon - worth while trying names they don't know.
Same with CDWOW - amazing how many people still don't know them and pay through the nose for CDs - less commision but they sell well. Students are tight a#sed little gits (well my boy was !!) but still seem to be able to spend their parents money!
When my boy was at uni him and a couple of friends did a local site for pubs and clubs and they got revenue from the ones that advertised on it. Would be easier if your site was a local geographic site but you may be able to work something like that in. Maybe something in the forum - "best pubs and clubs near your uni" section. Like a lot of things it's often not what you expect that takes off in the end.

Cheers
Aly