Need help starting up from Australians

Hi Elemenopee, I come from Melbourne as well, as quite a few others do, and l have some advise.

As others have said, getting an ABN, isn't really necessary in the beginning, although if you want to become an affiliate for Hostgator, (popular web host) you may need one?

But overall it isn't usually necessary. I am half way through a business course myself, and l did need an ABN for that one, but bringing money in is more important.

I wouldn't fuss about a business account either, unless you intend to pay people through checks, which isn't necessary for purely online business.

If you are creating your own physical product, and don't have a credit card, possibly but you would need to look into it?

I have been online for about 4 years, and have tried many things! Most of it didn't work, or hasn't worked yet. But one area has, and that is the area l am putting all my energy into.


SEO business is high risk, in my opinion, and regardless of the method involved, the same pattern resides; work very hard for a few months and hopefully your website, etc will start making good money. Or it could take years??? About 10% of people who try SEO type business make it profitable, but most don't.

There are some others, but the area that is working for me is, creating my own products based on what the market wants and selling that. I do have the advantage of being able to produce my own high quality graphics, but that can be outsourced.


When Gurus say that creating your own product is the best way to make money, they are not lying. My first product is selling, but probably at a price point that doesn't get over advertising costs, (Bing advertising) so l am creating a few more products to add to the main one as bonuses. That should allow me to make a profit and attract affiliates, (you need a price point of at least $37 on Clickbank to attract affiliates).

You should set up a Legal page, disclaimer as well just take a look at some products of Clickbank to get some ideas. Although the business course l am doing requires Liability insurance, which is at least $67 a month, mainstream insurers, AAMI, RACV, won't touch you if you are selling your own or someones else s product online.

But putting up a Legal, etc page should be enough!


I would set up a Clickbank account as it initially costs about $50 then it is free, although costs are taken out depending on sales, etc. And affiliate sales are automatic.

PayPal is good as well, but manually paying your affiliates or manually processing orders, can become a pain, and could cost you sales. Someone in the US may order your product and not realizing that the order needs to be manually processed in AU, a few hours later they will probably cancel the order, then you will have to go through contacting PayPal, to get the funds sent back to them or sent your way. I have been through that, so unless it is a launch, stay with Clickbank.


I would also avoid Google Adwords, especially if it is making money online. Odds on you will get banned for life if you sell something like that.

And l have heard that solar panel, wind turbine type affiliate offers are high converters, but avoid Earth4Energy. They do convert at 2%, but Google won't allow their site to be directly advertised on their search engine, as they have violated their TOS. But there are similar products out there you could try out.


It is also a good idea to build a list, (another good reason to create your own product) for a recurring income. Awebar is one of the best!


Well l have shared a few gems with you, which should save you some failures, and l wish you all the best.

Shane