My Review Minisite Blueprint

knmrwarrior · 01-16-2009, 06:37 AM

I thought I would share my blueprint for creating review sites.

My goal is to offer valuable content while using every tool at my disposal to get the visitor to A) see and B) click on my aff links.

Insert keyword-rich text reviews of at least 5 products competing products
Reviews are mostly impartial but end with convincing reasons to buy
Affiliate links at top and bottom of each review.
Always cloak aff links to look like another page on the site. I use PHP redirect to send to product sales page or checkout
If linking to sales page, I use the text "Find out more about X".
If linking to checkout page, I use appropriate text e.g. "Download X now" (you should split test different link text depending on the niche).
Include a video walk-through if possible.
Opt-in form in sidebar, aimed at people not yet convinced by one of your reviews
Opt-in benefit to tempt people to sign up is a 5-10 page ebook with the subject "5 Things you need to know before buying an X" or "How to pick a great X" etc - again, test the copy and see what converts
The PDF should comprise 2-3 pages on the topic of the ebook. Of course, the PDF would also feature the review copy from your website including your affiliate links to each products
Opt-in subscribers will also receive a series of email reviews and on-topic content that include your affiliate links
I often use an exit pop-up with the text "Didn't find what you were looking for? Download this free PDF which tells you everything you need to know about X". This is the optin PDF with all of your aff links described above.

The goal is to not let your visitors leave your site without getting your aff links in front of them as frequently as possible, while at the same time giving them what they need while building their trust in your content.

Once you feel you have fine-tuned your website structure and copy, you should consider offering complimentary product reviews or links to a complimentary product review website.

For example, in a website that reviews outdoor barbeques, you could add capsule reviews of outdoor furniture or links to another of your review websites that reviews same. Just be sure not to canabalize a good affiliate link payment for a small one.

Der

JayMartins · 01-16-2009, 06:50 AM

It's a very strong bluepring and has been done a few times before. I think Chris Rempel released an ebook about this.

I recommend you base it on Wordpress so that you can update everything easily and have user comments.

knmrwarrior · 01-16-2009, 07:52 AM

I agree 100%. WordPress is exactly what I use. A well designed template such as Revolution2, Flexibility or Bobv3 can give the site a professional look without much effort.

Another advantage of using a blog as CMS is of course the built-in feature of pinging search engines and directories every time you update the site.

I wasn't aware of Chris' product but am well aware this is not a new idea.

However, the key to success is not just to load up a blog with reviews, but to use every opportunity you can to monetize those hard-earned visitors. I've visited very few review sites that are properly monetized.

Der

01-16-2009, 06:37 AM	#1
knmrwarrior Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 78 Thanks: 9 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	My Review Minisite Blueprint I thought I would share my blueprint for creating review sites. My goal is to offer valuable content while using every tool at my disposal to get the visitor to A) see and B) click on my aff links. Insert keyword-rich text reviews of at least 5 products competing products Reviews are mostly impartial but end with convincing reasons to buy Affiliate links at top and bottom of each review. Always cloak aff links to look like another page on the site. I use PHP redirect to send to product sales page or checkout If linking to sales page, I use the text "Find out more about X". If linking to checkout page, I use appropriate text e.g. "Download X now" (you should split test different link text depending on the niche). Include a video walk-through if possible. Opt-in form in sidebar, aimed at people not yet convinced by one of your reviews Opt-in benefit to tempt people to sign up is a 5-10 page ebook with the subject "5 Things you need to know before buying an X" or "How to pick a great X" etc - again, test the copy and see what converts The PDF should comprise 2-3 pages on the topic of the ebook. Of course, the PDF would also feature the review copy from your website including your affiliate links to each products Opt-in subscribers will also receive a series of email reviews and on-topic content that include your affiliate links I often use an exit pop-up with the text "Didn't find what you were looking for? Download this free PDF which tells you everything you need to know about X". This is the optin PDF with all of your aff links described above. The goal is to not let your visitors leave your site without getting your aff links in front of them as frequently as possible, while at the same time giving them what they need while building their trust in your content. Once you feel you have fine-tuned your website structure and copy, you should consider offering complimentary product reviews or links to a complimentary product review website. For example, in a website that reviews outdoor barbeques, you could add capsule reviews of outdoor furniture or links to another of your review websites that reviews same. Just be sure not to canabalize a good affiliate link payment for a small one. Der

01-16-2009, 06:50 AM	#2
JayMartins Offline Marketer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 85 Thanks: 7 Thanked 79 Times in 8 Posts	Re: My Review Minisite Blueprint It's a very strong bluepring and has been done a few times before. I think Chris Rempel released an ebook about this. I recommend you base it on Wordpress so that you can update everything easily and have user comments.
	Case Study: Offline marketing brings in $6116 every month Successful Membership Website / Offline Money / Custom Wordpress / Squeeze Pages I charge very cheap rates by PayPal if you need any of the above. Just PM me and we can talk.

01-16-2009, 07:52 AM	#3
knmrwarrior Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ireland Posts: 78 Thanks: 9 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Re: My Review Minisite Blueprint I agree 100%. WordPress is exactly what I use. A well designed template such as Revolution2, Flexibility or Bobv3 can give the site a professional look without much effort. Another advantage of using a blog as CMS is of course the built-in feature of pinging search engines and directories every time you update the site. I wasn't aware of Chris' product but am well aware this is not a new idea. However, the key to success is not just to load up a blog with reviews, but to use every opportunity you can to monetize those hard-earned visitors. I've visited very few review sites that are properly monetized. Der