How to make money off a coffee website?

49 replies
I have a coffee website that is ranking well for a commonly searched term.

I have some Adsense on there, but it's not making very much to be honest. I also have some coffee affiliate links (coffee beans and ground coffee) but they don't do very well either.

There must be better ways to take advantage of the traffic I am getting.

I have about 11,000 unique visitors per month.

Can you think of some good ideas for me?
#coffee #make #money #website
  • Profile picture of the author zaco
    Hey Waterburn,

    I am not sure if you are interested in a JV, I can help you in monetizing this traffic.. what countries are you getting the visitors from
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  • Wow..That's a LOT of traffic.
    I think you should be monetizing it quite well for the amount of traffic you have.

    I would double check placement of banners and ads.
    Also the style of advertising can affect click thrus and income.

    You obviously have the traffic to make a lot of money, but there must be something wrong on your site.
    How is your content? Does it make the reader want to know more?
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  • Profile picture of the author feliciayapsl
    How about looking for some CPA programs?
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  • Profile picture of the author gvsridhar171
    what is your coffee website address ? let me see the website and get back to you. I opened your signature link but it goes to something to do with killing bed bugs.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterburn
    CPA - any specific suggestions? It seems my visitors are not too interested in buying coffee products. I definitely have not tested different designs - perhaps that is something to try. I have tried several coffee CPA offers on the website "offerbuzz", but not much success.

    I have some Amazon links too, but they are not doing well either.

    I could use more and better content, to be honest. I have a bunch of simple coffee drink recipes, and tips relating to coffee, latte, espresso, etc.

    An idea would be to sell unique recipes for alcoholic coffee drinks, and ways to make coffee, latte, cappucino, espresso, etc, but I don't have good enough content to create such a product.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeyDreamboat
      Originally Posted by waterburn View Post

      CPA - any specific suggestions? It seems my visitors are not too interested in buying coffee products. I definitely have not tested different designs - perhaps that is something to try. I have tried several coffee CPA offers on the website "offerbuzz", but not much success.

      I have some Amazon links too, but they are not doing well either.

      I could use more and better content, to be honest. I have a bunch of simple coffee drink recipes, and tips relating to coffee, latte, espresso, etc.

      An idea would be to sell unique recipes for alcoholic coffee drinks, and ways to make coffee, latte, cappucino, espresso, etc, but I don't have good enough content to create such a product.
      My last brick and mortar job was as a shift supervisor at a Starbucks. Maybe I can come up with some content for you. Do you create all your own content or do you occasionally buy some?
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  • Profile picture of the author Mountainw
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    • Profile picture of the author waterburn
      Originally Posted by Mountainw View Post

      You can create a series online stores that sell unique products for different niches.

      Your coffee website could be the gateway to those online stores.
      That is an interesting idea. What would be a good way to create such online stores? Amazon stores?
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    The answer to this depends entirely on what search terms you're ranking for.

    Without knowing, there's no real way to give you worthwhile advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sophia M
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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      Originally Posted by Sophia M View Post

      What does "commonly searched term" mean exactly?
      People usually define it with reference to Google, Sophia: it means a word (or few words together) which people commonly put into Google to look for the listings of pages containing that term. From their perspective it's "something they're 'Googling'," and from a marketer's perspective they're "keywords".

      Sometimes it's a rough indication of how much "potential customer interest" there is in a keyword, though it can be very misleading, too: some keywords don't represent any buying/commercial interest at all (just people looking for free information), some of the figures are quite unreliable, and so on. It's not always all it appears to be.
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  • Profile picture of the author JerrickYeoh
    You may try to create a empty advertisement slot and allow others to post their banner ads in your website.
    You may do a subcategories as directories to all coffee business.
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  • Profile picture of the author matt5409
    * reviews of coffee machines
    * stock photography or artwork
    * personalised images or cards (write someones name in marshmallows?)
    * "buy a coffee" send a friend paypal money gift
    * support and write about charities
    * statbucks vs independent type articles

    Will the above get you money directly? Most of them, no, but it will enable you to cast your net wide, grow some links and build a sustainable business.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterburn
    Thanks, good ideas.

    Perhaps I should try the "advertise here" idea - I have not tried that and perhaps I can land a good deal that way.

    Buy someone a coffee - sounds like fun.
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  • Profile picture of the author aardanyul
    Hey man,

    My advice would be to look at a coffee dropshipper, and set up a store on your webpage. With the amount of traffic you have, it could be an easy 5-10k per month for you!

    With the targetted traffic you're getting, CPA offers and adsense really aren't worth it. Remember that physical products will always make a lot more money for you than any affiliate network will.
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  • Profile picture of the author Bambu
    I think that if the majority of your visitors are coming to your website to learn how to make a latte or an Americano, it may be difficult to convert this type of traffic. These visitors are looking for free information, not looking to buy anything.

    Have you tried coffee recipe books (sorry if I missed this in your posts)? Lots of these on Amazon... You may have to presell them some, e.g., below your latte recipe say: there are lots of other creative and delicious latte recipes in this coffee lovers recipe book <amazon link here>.

    If you don't have much competition and unique, high quality content you might consider content locking as another solution.

    How about Starbucks/Dunken Donuts gift card like email/zip submit CPA offers? Check Offer Vault. Lots of these out there.

    I feel your pain regarding poor conversions. A couple of my earliest websites are in the video game niche and each one gets over 2K unique visitors a day, but I only make ~10 USD on a good day. Not all visitors are created equal.

    Consider branching out and targeting keywords that would bring in potential coffee, coffee machine buyers. Do reviews of coffee machines, etc.

    Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
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    Two things come to mind
    Amazon coffee maker reviews
    Buy coffee of the month gifts for people (Google coffee of the month club and there are lots of them, including some on Amazon)
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  • Profile picture of the author waterburn
    My top search terms are informational, not buying keywords.

    I'll try some of the tips in this thread and see how it goes. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author jt808
    Coffee of the month club gets my vote.
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    • Profile picture of the author waterburn
      Originally Posted by jt808 View Post

      Coffee of the month club gets my vote.
      Could you expand on that a little?

      There are so many such clubs out there...

      Perhaps find a popular club that has recurring payments, of which I get a commission?
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  • Profile picture of the author AppsFromHome
    Wow 11k unique traffic a month is great!

    I would definitively test a few different options outside of the Adsense & Amazon realm.

    You might find multiple webmasters willing to pay a weekly/monthly rate that will produce more profits than Adsense or Amazon commissions.

    Also, I would look into some quality informational programs or eBooks - I'm sure there are a few quality ones out there that pay a good %.

    Tweaking and testing will ultimately get you the results that will maximize your profit potential with this site.

    Good luck and keep us posted!
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    • Profile picture of the author Wakunahum
      I have a site that gets around 6000 visitors per month in a niche that doesn't have many customers who purchase products. It's more or less a "homemade alternatives to such and such" meaning most people come for the information and not to buy anything.

      After testing multiple strategies to make some money, I eventually found the sweet spot. I placed a header in the sidebar that said PRODUCTS with about related items below that would come up in the articles from time to time. These products linked to amazon and most were only $1-3.

      To my surprise, I received quite a few orders on amazon from these links to other products that customers purchased which helped the site start making hundreds per month.
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      • Profile picture of the author waterburn
        Originally Posted by Wakunahum View Post

        I have a site that gets around 6000 visitors per month in a niche that doesn't have many customers who purchase products. It's more or less a "homemade alternatives to such and such" meaning most people come for the information and not to buy anything.

        After testing multiple strategies to make some money, I eventually found the sweet spot. I placed a header in the sidebar that said PRODUCTS with about related items below that would come up in the articles from time to time. These products linked to amazon and most were only $1-3.

        To my surprise, I received quite a few orders on amazon from these links to other products that customers purchased which helped the site start making hundreds per month.
        Was it an Amazon widget you used? Which one?

        Omakase?
        Recommended Product Links?
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        • Profile picture of the author TomFang
          Hey man, that's a lot of traffic. Don't be brash and "partner" with people here lol. Do your research into media buys. What you want is to sell to a direct buyer by CPM. Adsense is the intermediate way to make money while you figure that out.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterburn
    Media buys - how do I find something for this coffee website?

    Lots of traffic? Well, I have another site that gets 62,000 per month. Perhaps I should do media buys there too? Hopefully someone here can point in me in the right direction.
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  • Profile picture of the author jburke81
    My advice would be to join the Amazon affiliate program and offer coffee grinders and such. You could also join a coffee mlm if you want to go that direction. If not, definitely go with the amazon affiliate route.
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  • Profile picture of the author HairyPoppins
    I would also try reviewing different types of coffee and then putting a some type of affliate sales link to the product if you can find something like that. Coffee freaks are nuts about their coffee and there's a lot of complexities to the different roasts and beans. It borders on the fanatic level of those hardcore wine enthusiasts.
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  • Profile picture of the author godinu
    Also try to figure out what it is your viewers are looking for and/or reading when they come to your site. If it's about roasting your own coffee, think of supplies you can sell them to help with that. If it's coffee drinks, think of all the recipes and items (barware, flavors, etc) that can be sold with that. If you can figure out what your customers want, you can sell it to them.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrashImpact
      This one should be actually really easy... 11,000 unique vistors a month. All you need to do is Sell Exclusive Advertising too one Client... Either in the coffee Industry...or a big Online Retailer... I would be looking to get 500 to 900.00 per month...

      Exclusive means they are the only Coffee Advertiser on that Site, You can still leave your Adsense on but they Get priority in the header and at the top of the Sidebar.

      Next you link that directly to their site and offer some kind of a 10 or 15% coupon... A kick Butt Ethical Bribe.

      We sell these kinds of adds all day long... Sell it on a month to month basis no contract...recurring billing with paypal...

      If you need more... Its in my signature as "The Ultimate WSO"

      Coffee Industry is a Great Niche...and You can make some Serious Money!

      Regards,
      Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    I am an information product producer so my answer will always be to look at what kind of information product you could create for your coffee lovers.

    First thoughts would be creating an info product about how to make the World's best coffee recipes at home with simple ingredients that look and taste exactly like the original and save you money from having to go out and buy it every time you want a fix.

    You could produce videos for this product so your customers will know exactly how to do it. Also you can offer a free bonus about what kinds of treats go well with each different coffee recipe.

    You can also produce a Coffee News newsletter with different elements to it so people can print it and read it while enjoying their morning coffee. This newsletter can be general interest... things fun to read while drinking their coffee.
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    • Profile picture of the author BrashImpact
      Originally Posted by Mike Hill View Post

      I am an information product producer so my answer will always be to look at what kind of information product you could create for your coffee lovers.

      First thoughts would be creating an info product about how to make the World's best coffee recipes at home with simple ingredients that look and taste exactly like the original and save you money from having to go out and buy it every time you want a fix.

      You could produce videos for this product so your customers will know exactly how to do it. Also you can offer a free bonus about what kinds of treats go well with each different coffee recipe.

      You can also produce a Coffee News newsletter with different elements to it so people can print it and read it while enjoying their morning coffee. This newsletter can be general interest... things fun to read while drinking their coffee.
      Excellent input Mike...I was surprised you hadnt chimed in here already. Those are some great Ideas for the OP to take advantage of.. X2 from me.

      and he could do that and still Run an Exclusive Ad for a customer and make double or tripple the income... Very nice.

      Thanks Mike... Just gettin ready to send an email too one of my VA's to get crackin for a site of mine... WOOT

      Regards,
      Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author waterburn
    Great tips, I really appreciate it!

    I am going to try and contact some potential advertisers for an exclusive ad on my site, and see if they are interested.

    Not sure I have the time and talent for what Mike is suggesting, but it does sound like a great idea.
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  • Profile picture of the author danlew
    Wow! You had a good start man, getting 11,000 unique visitors in a month? You should try selling some advertising space for your clients to put their coffee-related banner ads every month. This is just one way to earn you some good money. Selling an eBook about coffee- related is also another good example for you to make money with your coffee website.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    Mimic Wine Library TV but with Coffee... Hustle and you'd have a winner!
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  • Profile picture of the author loi77
    You should focus on building a list.

    Then you can sell anything related to coffee to your list.
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  • Profile picture of the author williamk
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    Try the following methods:

    1) Get some CPA offers and send them to your list.
    2) Send them Amazon Aff lInks to products or guides.
    3) Send them CLickbacnk Product offers.

    These three would get you good money in my opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author casablancas
    you should be earning pretty well off of Adsense with that much traffic. Check the placement of your banners.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Guys - this thread is from January. It was just bumped by a spammer, earlier today. :rolleyes:
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  • Profile picture of the author waterburn
    Well the sad news is I got hit bad by a Google update... I was top 1 or 2 for years, now I dropped off significantly. I asked for help on the Google Webmaster forum but they all said "you have a crappy MFA site, you get what you deserve" - type of answer... not very fun.
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    • Profile picture of the author wolfmmiii
      Originally Posted by waterburn View Post

      Well the sad news is I got hit bad by a Google update... I was top 1 or 2 for years, now I dropped off significantly. I asked for help on the Google Webmaster forum but they all said "you have a crappy MFA site, you get what you deserve" - type of answer... not very fun.
      Was it an MFA site?
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      • Profile picture of the author waterburn
        Originally Posted by wolfmmiii View Post

        Was it an MFA site?
        No. It has Adsense, but that doesn't automatically means a MFA site. It has lots of recipes and tips, etc.

        Not sure what to do next to bring it back up in Google. Perhaps I'll take of the Adsense for a while and see what happens.
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  • Profile picture of the author elzafonv
    here's some ideas for u:
    1. build a list
    2. play with some cpa offers
    3. media buy - sell ad space.
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  • Profile picture of the author eman1
    I would recommend that you put a coffee lovers newsletter opt-in box on your website to collect names and build a list of coffee lovers. You could then market coffee related products to them.
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  • Profile picture of the author tommo25
    I'd have a good look round some of the CPA offers out there
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    • Profile picture of the author waterburn
      Originally Posted by tommo25 View Post

      I'd have a good look round some of the CPA offers out there
      How would I go about finding CPA offers?

      I have tried some Starbucks gift certificates, but the conversion rate is quite pathetic.
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  • Profile picture of the author underthegun
    I'm actually setting up a coffee website for a client of mine. They've found a dropshipper and are about to start selling the stuff online.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Lawless
    Hi,

    That's a lot of traffic. If affiliate products don't work, you could try looking for several businesses out there in the coffee niche and allow them to put ads on your website. You could also create reviews for them which in the end promotes their business.

    By the way how's your email marketing for your site?
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    • Profile picture of the author waterburn
      Originally Posted by Nick Lawless View Post

      Hi,

      That's a lot of traffic. If affiliate products don't work, you could try looking for several businesses out there in the coffee niche and allow them to put ads on your website. You could also create reviews for them which in the end promotes their business.

      By the way how's your email marketing for your site?
      Email marketing - not so well. People come to my site looking for free tips, so conversion are hard. I also get few signups.
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  • Profile picture of the author ricgrb1
    I would import coffee and sell it yourself. Then build a list with your customers so you can send them offers and what not. 11000 a month is not a laughing matter good job.
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    • Profile picture of the author salegurus
      Originally Posted by ricgrb1 View Post

      I would import coffee and sell it yourself. Then build a list with your customers so you can send them offers and what not. 11000 a month is not a laughing matter good job.
      Thread Is 3 Years OLD!
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