New member question - Shop directories

[dave21]

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Hi all.

Well, after lurking around in the shadows for some time now, I’ve finally decided step in to the light and ask my first question.

I'm new to this affiliate game, (but not too unfamiliar with the web) and after hearing a few other people talk about it have decided to create my first site.

I've made the decision to create a shop directory website by categorising shops/services on separate pages which are linked using a hierarchical structure. Hopefully spreading myself thinly across a wide range of search phrases may yield results - I'm sure you all know what I mean.

Anyway, since starting the site I am noticing that there appear to be some very successful sites similar to what I aspire to as well as a large number that would appear to have not shared the same success. My doubts are building and although I’m now aware that there’s a LOT of work involved in creating such a site, I am confident that I can finish and maintain it.

I suppose I am a bit sceptical about all this, and I’ll only be a believer once I see some money appear out of my efforts.

So my question is - is there value in what I am doing and do these sites really work?

Thanks in advance,

Dave.

[Mogga]

ask yourself is there value to the end user.

If you have a unique concept that makes your site stand out it'll do better than a runofthemillone.

[darrenw]

Spend a bit of time researching your competition - work out why they are getting good search results on Google, Yahoo and MSN. Would you use them? When and why would you visit the sites?

A successful site needs traffic - so you need to decide how you're going to get the traffic - SEO, PPC, advertising, etc.

And then you need to offer something unique so that visitors have a reason to come back (regular updates, some site functionality that you can't get elsewhere).

Shopping portals? There are loads of them - but some of them are very good, well designed and offer something different. However, there are also loads of badly designed shopping portals.

Cheers,
Darren.

[KirstyM]

A shopping directory is a huge undertaking for a first time site.

These kind of sites make up a very large chunk of the applications we see for the programme. A select few do very well, these tend to be the long-established directories who have been successful because they offer the user some unique concept (as Mogga mentioned).

I don't to put you off or devalue the hard work you've obviously put in already, but I find that the sites that perform consistenly well are niche sites that deal with smaller product areas. i.e. garden information sites.

Perhaps you should consider developing one of these at the same time as your larger directory? You might get some sales a bit quicker (keeps you motivated!).

Anyway, best of luck!

[darrenw]

I've often though that it would be almost worth becoming a merchant, just to see the affiliate sites that want to join your programme, so that you can have a good look at the competition!

But being a merchant is not part of my plans at the moment!

Cheers,
Darren.

[darrenw]

Another thing...

Expect a shopping directory that is started entirely from scratch to take between 6 and 12 month to get off the ground, after it has gone "live". This is how long it will take to build a backlinks porfolio, time for the search engines to regularly index the site, and for the Google PR to appear.

My own personal strategy has been to build a couple of shopping portals, each with a slightly different emphasis, and loads of specialist niche sites - the general shopping portal can sometimes show areas that are unexpectedly doing well, so I will create a mini-site that tries to "cash in" on that niche area...

It's easy to "miss the boat" though, especially if he area is seasonal. But you never know, it might be popular again next year!

Cheers,
Darren.

[KirstyM]

Well, to be honest one of the reasons I became an affiliate myself a couple of years back was that some of the programmes I was managing at the time had affiliates making good sales. Quite frankly I thought I could do a better job than some from an SEO point of view.

It is very interesting seeing what works for different people, and seeing some very clever and content rich sites in action.

But I'd never use the information for evil and underhand purposes. Only for the greater affiliate good! (new religion for the next census?)

[dave21]

Hi.

Thanks for the responses so far.

I've been working on my site for a while now and found that as you've quite rightly said, there is a lot of work involved. Right now, I admit that my site is very run-of-the-mill, but I hope that that will change soon. I do have various plans that I think will set it apart from most. I’m hoping that the main source of traffic will be from search engines and then any money that comes in could be spent on further promotion.

On the way I’ve encountered a number of websites that have either set up their own affiliate schemes, or use what looks like a very low end solution (no names mentioned). Until now, I’ve taken note of these sites but been too suspicious to get involved. What’s other people’s experience of these? Can you trust them or are they likely to take the referrals but give no commission?

I’m happy for now to continue around the main networks as there’s still loads of work to be done, but realise that sooner or later it would be good for the sites success to get involved with these schemes as well – anyone with any more comments?

Thanks again and it’s good to start talking to you all.

Dave.

[lowndsy]

Yeah, stick with it - big directories aren't a lost cause, and can be very profitable, although bloody hard to get right as you have noted, but don't neglect your best performing areas just because you don't want to specialise - if fashion is doing well for you then you should spend more time on it, and look for features that you can replicate to improve your other categories.

[Paul Wright]

Originally posted by darrenw
I've often though that it would be almost worth becoming a merchant, just to see the affiliate sites that want to join your programme, so that you can have a good look at the competition!

Ha ha, believe me somedays i wonder why some people out there even bother. Some of the sites that come through to me are truely cringe worthy. It makes me wonder what was going on in their head when they designed it... maybe as a practical joke, or built only to wind me up?

Thankfully it's all worth while when you come across a gem of a site. Either recruited directly or as a naturall sign up.

The best bit IMHO is working with people who have an understanding of the affiliate game, what works, what doesn't, good understanding of their audience and market, how to optimise for seo, link placement and generally fine tune their site untill it's a formula one beast!!

Finally... please please please... no more banner farms. i can't take it anymore, the horror.... arghhh.

Paul.