What am I doing wrong?

12 years ago

Hi,

Do you have any lead capture forms on your website? As in do you have a free ebook about 'trucking jobs'? If not, you should definitely look into that and follow up over a series of auto responder messages. After about 7 days into your auto responder messages, then up sell them on your product.

PM me your sites and I will take a look for ya.

Cheers!

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

I built 2 websites the first one is 10 months old the second is 3 months old. I'm only getting 100 visitors per day 90 to the first one 10 to the other. But neither one is generating even a single dime. Here is what i have done. Facebook fan page, twitter, google plus, youtube channel, etc etc. I've done research and bought some articles.

I hired someone on odesk with a good reputation to build backlinks and general seo. Both websites have plenty of content over 50 pages on each 100 or more on the first. I even post on forums and have business cards i've handed out "over 1000" of them. So why am i not getting any conversions? The first site the Trucking site i'm selling an ebook how to get the best trucking jobs, Amazon selling trucker things, and pre paid legal trucker insurance. But no sales so far. The second site i'm selling a clickbank item related to the site. Any help or advice is much appreciated. My grammar here is not the same as my site's as i buy articles or hire a proof reader to fix for me.

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Ross Cohen

12 years ago

First step towards success: I checked your trucking website. Every page you go to, the same annoying pop-up comes up. Remove that. It will make visitors leave nearly immediately out of frustration.

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Alexa Smith Banned 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Ross Cohen

Every page you go to, the same annoying pop-up comes up. Remove that. It will make visitors leave nearly immediately out of frustration.

This.

The pop-up is horrendous, Gonzo ... sorry, but it just is.

LaRocca is almost certainly right about the opt-in idea.
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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

I've heard both sides about the pop-up good and bad. I put it up because i was getting no sales.

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Trevor M

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

I've heard both sides about the pop-up good and bad. I put it up because i was getting no sales.

I've heard both sides of the argument as well and I'm actually in favor of pop-ups in a lot of cases...

But come on man... It's never a good idea to have the same pop-up appearing every time someone goes to a new page on your website.

You're guaranteeing you'll never make any money or have any return visitors.

Keep it to the homepage if you must.

But onto your question;

The first thing I'd do if I owned the trucker website is to get a better header created. I usually get all my graphics done on Fiverr so I recommend you do also. Just sort by 'highest rated' and you'll be faced with many terrific graphic designers.

Good luck.

- Trevor

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fin

12 years ago

I like your trucker site. I think it has great potential for to make money, but...

You really need to fix some things. The articles for one: they aren't very well written. Take more time on them and inject personality.

There is too much going on. Tags in the top right

, that's so 1990's.

Get a opt-in form in there and start using an auto-responder.

Also, I'd take away everything you don't need on the sidebars. You want a specific route your customer has to take which leads to a sale.

Don't put distractions up.

Like I said, it has lots of potential IMO, but it needs a lot of work.

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ElijahBrewer

12 years ago

Originally Posted by fin

I like your trucker site. I think it has great potential for to make money, but...

You really need to fix some things. The articles for one: they aren't very well written. Take more time on them and inject personality.

There is too much going on. Tags in the top right

, that's so 1990's.

Get a opt-in form in there and start using an auto-responder.

Also, I'd take away everything you don't need on the sidebars. You want a specific route your customer has to take which leads to a sale.

Don't put distractions up.

Like I said, it has lots of potential IMO, but it needs a lot of work.

This is good solid advice!

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Ok i will take it down. But i don't have a list, i know i should have one. But i'm spending so much money already I don't want to spend another $30 a month on a website that is failing.

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Ken Hoffman

12 years ago

Here's your problem. You've done a lot to get traffic. But conversion is very different from getting traffic. I went to your site. In a few minutes I couldn't even find the sales page for your Ebook. You need to make it easier for people to get to that page. Based on what I've seen you are in desperate need of a good copywriter. And I'm NOT talking about an article or content writer. I'm talking about a sales letter writer.

P.S. If you are getting 90 visitors a day, that's 2700 a month. If you can't make some sales off that, something's wrong with either your source of traffic, your sales copy, or your market (truck driver niche) in general.

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Maybe that is my problem I don't understand what you mean "easier to find" It's right there at the top in plain site. "Highest paying truck driver jobs" The sales letter I got from a warrior who does that. Others have told me that too but i dont understand because to me it's right there at the top.

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acurren

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

Maybe that is my problem I don't understand what you mean "easier to find" It's right there at the top in plain site. "Highest paying truck driver jobs" The sales letter I got from a warrior who does that. Others have told me that too but i dont understand because to me it's right there at the top.

Put a brightly colored (orange or yellow) banner for your e-book or a free report right where the blogroll is.

Make it stand out like this --->>Top Right Corner<<--- of your home page.

There are free autoresponders and cheap autoresponders.

Have someone from fiverr install parabot autoresponder on your own server.

There are others that are online solutions that cost nothing until you have 1000 subscribers...

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gonzotrucker 12 years ago

Acurren How do I do this on wordpress? No sale in two days but hey my traffic is up to 150 a day steady, and climbing. I'm getting a new banner/header then I will give away a new ebook free for their email.
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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

I have created many posts that could be considered free ebook information on trucking jobs. If someone was to read my posts they can get great free information about different types of trucking jobs, and how to make money doing them. I thought by providing that free information it would encourage people to buy my book. So my free ebook about trucking jobs is all of my posts. So what everyone is telling me for the most part is the look of my site is keeping me from getting conversions?

Almost everything you need to know about trucking is on my site for free. I just created a new article yesterday "Middle East Trucking jobs" posted it for free. I'm so out of my league on the marketing aspect of this site. I even have free practice test's for people wanting a CDL. Also I don't understand why I'm not ranking on google. I posted an article about "Lorry truck drivers" it's the most comprehensive article on how to get a license in the UK to drive a lorry, yet it's not ranking. It's one of the best resources on the net to get a lorry truck driver license yet it's still on page 3 after 7 months.

Maybe I need to hire someone to design my site for better conversions? Because IMO the content is good information. I don't have a sense of style I guess. It's like the guy who hangs a very ugly picture on his wall and thinks it looks good.

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fin

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

Maybe I need to hire someone to design my site for better conversions? Because IMO the content is good information. I don't have a sense of style I guess. It's like the guy who hangs a very ugly picture on his wall and thinks it looks good.

Maybe you could break up the writing. It just looks like big chunks - very hard to read and some people might decide not to try.

It would make it look a lot nicer.

I'd also maybe try using a lighter background. It's pretty hard to read on blue.

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Archie82

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

I have created many posts that could be considered free ebook information on trucking jobs. If someone was to read my posts they can get great free information about different types of trucking jobs, and how to make money doing them. I thought by providing that free information it would encourage people to buy my book.

Since you are a bit tight on budget right now, you could bundle your existing informative articles/posts and offer them as a free downloadable ebook/report in exchange for your prospects email. Then sell them the ultimate truck driver's lifestyle, occasionally referring to you ebook as the missing link between them and that "ultimate lifestyle"

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seeksucces

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

I have created many posts that could be considered free ebook information on trucking jobs. If someone was to read my posts they can get great free information about different types of trucking jobs, and how to make money doing them. I thought by providing that free information it would encourage people to buy my book. So my free ebook about trucking jobs is all of my posts. So what everyone is telling me for the most part is the look of my site is keeping me from getting conversions?

Almost everything you need to know about trucking is on my site for free. I just created a new article yesterday "Middle East Trucking jobs" posted it for free. I'm so out of my league on the marketing aspect of this site. I even have free practice test's for people wanting a CDL. Also I don't understand why I'm not ranking on google. I posted an article about "Lorry truck drivers" it's the most comprehensive article on how to get a license in the UK to drive a lorry, yet it's not ranking. It's one of the best resources on the net to get a lorry truck driver license yet it's still on page 3 after 7 months.

Maybe I need to hire someone to design my site for better conversions? Because IMO the content is good information. I don't have a sense of style I guess. It's like the guy who hangs a very ugly picture on his wall and thinks it looks good.

The reason you are not getting conversions is because the fundamental concept of creating content, building a web page, and making money doesn't work. It's not enough to make money. We have all been fed the lie. Changing a pop up, or modifying the design isn't going to make a damn difference.

In fact, there are a lot of examples about sites with crappy designs making a ton of money and bringing in a ton of visitors.

Those things are irrelevant for the most part, they might make a difference, but is it very small.

But once again, unfortunately, slapping down a niche site with valuable content and selling ebooks doesn't work. I am telling you how it is because I have done this and I have first hand experience.

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MikeTucker

12 years ago

Originally Posted by specialized

Hey Gonzo, glad you're back in the game. You know what, if you'd like me to proofread or edit anything when the time comes, I'll do it for free man... just PM me.

Gotta love the Warrior Forum!!

Originally Posted by seeksucces

The problem isn't you, the problem is that you have been fed a lie about internet marketing and also no one has told you that ClickBank sucks...

...Trust me,...

... I can by telling it how it is and revealing the truth online.

Wow? Really, I have been doing it wrong all this time! :rolleyes:

Well, it actually makes me trust you less when you have
to ask me for trust, but if you're revealing the "truth"
then I guess maybe now I can start making some money!

Originally Posted by seeksucces

The reason you are not getting conversions is because the fundamental concept of creating content, building a web page, and making money doesn't work. It's not enough to make money. We have all been fed the lie. Changing a pop up, or modifying the design isn't going to make a damn difference.

Wow! Enlightenment! Everything we have been
doing all this time has all be wrong and doesn't
work! The money is all imaginary!

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seeksucces

12 years ago

Originally Posted by MikeTucker

Gotta love the Warrior Forum!!

Wow? Really, I have been doing it wrong all this time! :rolleyes:

Well, it actually makes me trust you less when you have
to ask me for trust, but if you're revealing the "truth"
then I guess maybe now I can start making some money!

Wow! Enlightenment! Everything we have been
doing all this time has all be wrong and doesn't
work! The money is all imaginary!

What works is selling products teaching others about making money online. That is the only market where there is any reasonable amount of demand for online informational products. Just look at the WSO, it is filled with these products.

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Jamie Hudson

12 years ago

Originally Posted by seeksucces

What works is selling products teaching others about making money online. That is the only market where there is any reasonable amount of demand for online informational products. Just look at the WSO, it is filled with these products.

That does work and it's the easy option. That is why there are so many MMO products, because it's damn easy to sell them. Any idiot can create a product about making money online and sell it to the masses.

The problem is most MMO and even Internet Marketing products are flawed. The major flaw being they don't tell the full story. They teach the very basics i.e. building a website, writing a pre-sell page and driving traffic to clickbank offers. Then doing a few bookmarks and submitting a few articles to "get traffic and make money".

Most MMO/IM products teach the very very basics. In reality it takes much more to make a living online and sell information products. It's just impossible to teach people how to make a living in online marketing with a single product.

The reality it is you have to struggle for a while, maybe a year or two and the kicker - you're going to have to spend endless hours and maybe even thousands of dollars before you finally make it. I did.

MMO/IM products don't tell you that because if they did - nobody would ever buy them. It's like having a disclaimer "To make this work, you need to spend $3000 on outsourcing, tools and paid traffic - it might take 6 months". But they don't tell you that. Instead they remove all the crucial elements that cost money and sell you the basics.

NOW....

In the past I've made very good money selling clickbank products in the weight loss, muscle building, yeast infection and pre-mature ejaculation niches. I'm actively making money in the spanish learning niche promoting a clickbank product. Guess what? The conversions are great and I get little traffic to my 1 page pre-sell site.

DEBUNKED

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minion

12 years ago

I agree with the others.
I'm not entirely sure what the website is about. If I were searching for how to get a trucking job, I would probably bounce.
In my opinion, you need to focus on:
1 - Telling the visitor what the website is about (I didn't know until I saw the logo)
2 - Telling the visitor why they need what you're offering.
3 - Telling them where to get it.

And I definitely think a new design will help - there's so much going on that I'm not sure where to go. Get rid of the extra stuff you don't need, (I'd remove the right sidebar, clean up the left one).

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Tevis Verrett

12 years ago

Gonzo, you have gotten a LOT of great information here from our fellow Warriors, and I will add just a bit. . .

1) good you got rid of the annoying popup
2) your site is just too busy (already said) and that will make people bounce.

My strong suggestion, take your articles and make them videos, just powerpoint them or animoto.com them into an attractive and attention capturing. . . and man NO ONE buys on the first pitch!

It takes time, that is the reason for the opt in!

My .03,

Tevis

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Ross Dalangin

12 years ago

I would change the color combination if I were you on your gonzotrucker. It was so hard to see what you are offering on both sites.

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lennyk1313

12 years ago

First thing I noticed as soon as I went to your website is how busy it is with all the pop ups and banners. All the different color schemes. It is very distracting and this is one of the reasons people are not staying on too long. Clean it up and try again.

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RyanGillam

12 years ago

If a warrior here wrote that sales letter I really suggest making a note in their thread. It is really not a good job at all, and people should not pay for that. It is full of basic errors.

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

I'm confused now. What color all white? Site is too busy? I did break up the writing into smaller block's. I was born dyslexic so I have to work even harder sometimes. Simple things like the word "apple" I know it's spelled correct but my mind says no. I will look at that one word for 10 minutes until my mind clears. That is not an excuse just an obstacle to overcome. I've worked 100s of hours on this site, and do not wish to just scrap it. Thanks everybody for your help it's invaluable to me. I cant put a price tag on your help. Just thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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michaeldoring

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

I built 2 websites... But neither one is generating even a single dime...
The first site the Trucking site i'm selling an ebook how to get the best trucking jobs, Amazon selling trucker things, and pre paid legal trucker insurance. But no sales so far... Any help or advice is much appreciated.

I think what your doing wrong is selecting the wrong niches (the wrong products to promote). I don't think many truck drivers buy eBooks: that is my stereotype. Stereotyping, modelling your prospects, is an important part of determining a profitable niche.

I think a way to start making money for you is to:
1. discover a better selling niche
2. create a site that is niche specific that promotes multiple products on different web pages of that website, don't waste your time creating a new website for every product of the same type you promote.
3. create a 100 page website
4. drive traffic to the website: Social, SEM, SEO, PPC

I recommend researching how to discover profitable niches. Good luck.

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minion

12 years ago

Just had another look at the site - instant improvement in my opinion

I can immediately see what you're offering.

I try to think of what I'd be doing in your visitors position:
First - Research. Searching various keywords on Google, opening up 4-5 results in new tabs, comparing them and taking note of the ones that look trustworthy/promising.
I'd repeat this process until I have a number of sites that offer what I'm looking for.
Second - Compare. I'd compare pricing and perceived value of what I would receive from each website.
Third - Purchase. I'd select one of these sites to purchase from.

I never purchase on the first visit. So you need to make a great first impression that will stick in your visitors mind, and then convince them that your product is better value than the rest.

Maybe instead of trying to sell the book straight away, you should offer a "free chapter" in exchange for an email address?

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foxtrot3

12 years ago

Put a call to action above the fold, right under the orange horizontal bar.
Buy my book and make more money !!! or words to that effect.

Update - Make the above a BUY link that goes to the same place as your
BUY NOW button.

.

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AdwordsMogul

12 years ago

Originally Posted by foxtrot3

Put a call to action above the fold, right under the orange horizontal bar.
Buy my book and make more money !!! or words to that effect.

Update - Make the above a BUY link that goes to the same place as your
BUY NOW button.

.

With all due respect, that's not a very good idea. You need to build things up before asking for a sale.

Here is the thing.

You won't get the answers you need on this thread. That's because there is a lot to be done - not enough space here.

As others have suggested, the layout/colors need reworking.

You seem to be a genuine guy, in your case video might really work well for you.

The most important things for you now are:

1) Building a relationship with your visitors that feels PERSONAL.
2) Capturing those visitors' contact details to deepen that relationship.

As said earlier, your copy... ughh. It needs work. In any case, when you have sales copy, you want it to be the ONLY content on that page - and in this case the home page is not the best place for it.

($75000 in the headline, $55000 in the first paragraph of the copy?:confused: )

The site has no credibility, so people are not buying. YOU need to be seen - your picture, your video, a story of who you are so the visitors can relate.

Now, this is a step-by-step process. Plus, $30 a month for an autoresponder is a small investment considering the potential. Without it, you will not make money.

Do these three things:

1) Get help on the layout/colors/design
2) Learn how to captivate/connect with your visitors and really understand their needs.
3) Start capturing those leads.

If you do these things, the rest will start unfolding to you. All the best!

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Ross Dalangin

12 years ago

There are so many free templates available online. Just search and you will see them. There are some good templates in the WSO which are so cheap. Try to change the look. Display a banner saying "Hey, I'm Your Name, enter your name and email and I will send you more information about .... ". Let them hook on your autoresponder and send them daily emails encouraging to try or buy your products/services.

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Is there a template you can suggest to me?

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Jamie Hudson

12 years ago

Ok, really really simple...

First, I doubt those niches are very profitable. If you're going to build an authority site, make sure the niche is very lucrative. In fact when I build authority sites I only build them in big over crowded niches. Why? Because I know there is a lot of money to be made.

Anyway... The fact remains that both sites are horrible. No offence but the first site looks like it was created back in the 80's and the second... well no comment.

Use Wordpress if you're not and buy a premium theme or download a free one. Improve your conversions, that's all you have to do. And conversions start with the design, especially when your sites look like that.

Sorry, but there's no other way of putting it. Good luck.

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Christopher Fox

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Jamie Hudson

Anyway... The fact remains that both sites are horrible. No offence but the first site looks like it was created back in the 80's and the second... well no comment.

I wouldn't go that far. I was online in the 80's. And his sites, although could use some cleaning up and sharping in the realm of aesthetic, are a hell of a lot better than what was around for even much of the 90's. And there are people out there that have made butt loads of money in the 00's with sites that look worse.

I understand your points, but c'mon now, let's be realistic with the criticism and keep it constructive... maybe you could point out specific issues that he can fix instead of ... 'the second... well no comment'.

He's asking for comments Jamie. Take your 16 years of experience and give him some.

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Jamie Hudson 12 years ago

Sure, maybe that's exaggerating slightly...

It's my opinion, site 2 doesn't look bad. Let's start with site 1...

1. You're trying to sell an actual ebook. The biggest problem is the design of the site. I would try Optimize Press with it, the theme. OP is perfect for information product sales pages like the ebook you're trying to sell. Otherwise try thesis, it can work nicely with no sidebars on the homepage and 1 sidebar for blog pages. If you struggle with themes I would stick to OP or another sales funnel theme.

2. Columns

You should have a single column on your home page. The sale page should never... ever have a sidebar. They act as distractions.

The blog posts should have 1 column maximum. Get rid of meta in sidebar, get rid of calender, keep blogroll, remove archives, keep categories and add recent posts. If using OP it's difficult and easier to just use 1 column site wide. Just have your articles and create them for the sole reason of directing visitors to the homepage i.e. the sales page OR direct them to a capture page to join your list.

3. Sales Copy

It doesn't seem that bad and from what I can see this is a profitable niche. The sales copy is very short, badly formatted. Font is too small, paragraphs are too big and you need to add graphical headlines, sub headlines etc.

"Buy my book and make more money !!!" - That is the opposite of what you should be saying... I'm just trying to help here - remember that.

Pay a copywriter, a cheap one to begin with. Then think about adding a video. Alternative: have a short home page pre sales page, similar to it is now but towards the bottom just have an opt-in form. After visitors opt-in redirect them to an Optimize Press video sales page. Have video made or do it yourself, towards the end of the video have the buy now button appear.

$10 products outside of the Warrior Forum... Don't perform that well. Most people view them as cheap **** that have little value. I could be wrong because it's all about the niche, but you can generalize. Test different price points.

3. Product Cover

Again it's just not very attractive. If you struggle with choosing high converting themes, layouts and so on - think what's sexiest? What attracts you the most. Some people just have bad taste which you might or might not... In that case you just need to ask for other people's advice.

Have a new ecover created, perhaps a bundle as the ecover looks bare. Add some videos to the product and have ecovers created for the PDF + the videos. It makes the package look a hell of a lot more appealing to most people.

4. Sales Funnel And List Building

You need to start building a list once you've cleaned up the site. Then you need to tweak the sales funnel by playing with all the variables and tracking the results. Tracking is essential. Next you can think about setting up an affiliate program and so on depending on the size of the niche.

4. SEO Optimization

I don't have the time to check your link profile out, but on-page your SEO needs to change big tie.

5. Blog Posts

They are really badly formatted. Ads all over the place, images all over the place, the posts lack stucture which would make me close the page immediately.

Conclusion

There is a lot to do with your site. It's no wonder it's not making any money yet because in my opinion; only a few desperate idiots would buy through it at this point. Don't take this information the wrong way because it's 100% constructive. Sometimes you need to hear how bad something is before you take drastic action.

I'm sure with a couple of weeks of work you can start making sales consistently. Again, just as long as the niche is good and you have done your market research i.e. the market will buy this kind of product.

Thorough enough?

p.s. pm me if you want my personal help with the site. (apologies for any spelling/grammar mistakes but no time to read through this)

p.p.s. not 16 years of experience, 16 years old - 4.5 years of experience.

Good Luck
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Jamie Hudson 12 years ago

As for site 2, it's in a much better situation.

All I'll say for site 2 is clean up the sales copy and get rid of those garcely adsense units. As soon as I see them I think "this guy is desperate to make a few bucks because he never sells his product".

You can't have those 2 adsense units on a sales page. Get rid of the sidebar, excessive social sharing buttons... I think the red headlines don't look pretty. They "say" the headline is the most important element of a good sales page. It needs to look and read nicely.

Just clean it up, refine it, spend some money on conversion optimization.
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- cjreynolds 12 years ago
  
  I'm no expert by any means, so you other warriors please correct me if I'm wrong, but on your gonzotrucker site - doesn't the white banner in the upper-right corner tell your visitors that everything they need in order to find a $75k/yr. job is available for free on your site?
  
  If that's the case, why would anyone buy your ebook?
  
  Just a thought...
  
  Thanks
  
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  I just added this sig so I can refer to it in my posts...
  
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wAvision

12 years ago

On the trucker site..
Get rid of all of those "info links" they are very very annoying, and provide no value to your site...

Get rid of the left google search side bar.....

Get a better header....

Get rid of the tags, calender, and other junk in the right side bar....and add opt in form above the fold, or at the very least a banner for your ebook (and make it clickable so when clicked it takes to the order form)

From what i see the only way to get to the order form on your entire home page is through the pay pal buy it now button at the bottom....make some of the images clickable and sprinkle in a few "order now" links....

Speeding ticket site...

Why do you have adsense adds throughout the sales copy of a clickbank product??

Im not sure if its just me but many of the images did not load...

Thanks

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

The second template is a legal template. So I'm not very good at picking them. To me they both look fine. I know they don't because I'm not getting conversions. But what template do I use? I just don't know. I'm still very horrible at website design.

Thanks

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

I removed the info links. You are right about that, and they don't pay anything good. I'm not looking to earn major dollars with these two sites. I'm using them to learn so $200 a month will be my first success. Then I will have the confidence to start a new more profitable niche site. If i can't earn $200 a month from these two then how can I earn from another niche. Plus if I can build a brand and get tons of traffic this will make a good adsense site.

Thanks
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Christopher Fox

12 years ago

Get on the 'ol CB Gonzo. Push your online product in the offline world. You seem to be a bona fide expert in the field and have real and actual experience. You are targeting, among others OTR truckers. Certainly within a relatively close drive is a major interstate with a truck stop or 3. A and probably a place where those truckers sit a drink coffee and shoot the breeze. Some of those truck stops will probably have a bulletin board where you can post a flyer. Print off some business cards with your web address and the whole, "Want to make more money?" thing on it.

You get the word out in a couple truck stops, and anyone that takes interest in your product and website will carry that info across state lines to the next truck stop, where your customer base congregates and meets and tell others.

You seem to have expertise and credibility in the field. Use that and promote your online business that good 'ol fashioned offline way. Instead of buying backlinks, buy flyers and the gas to visit every truckstop within 100-200 miles. Many states also have truck driving schools. Find a way to tap into that market as well.

I think you will drive more traffic, for your niche and ebook, this way than waiting for a trucker, somewhere, to use his/her online time looking for how to make more money as a truck driver.

For the online part, I am sure there are trucker forums, just like WF. Establish yourself there as well.

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seeksucces

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Christopher Fox

Get on the 'ol CB Gonzo. Push your online product in the offline world. You seem to be a bona fide expert in the field and have real and actual experience. You are targeting, among others OTR truckers. Certainly within a relatively close drive is a major interstate with a truck stop or 3. A and probably a place where those truckers sit a drink coffee and shoot the breeze. Some of those truck stops will probably have a bulletin board where you can post a flyer. Print off some business cards with your web address and the whole, "Want to make more money?" thing on it.

You get the word out in a couple truck stops, and anyone that takes interest in your product and website will carry that info across state lines to the next truck stop, where your customer base congregates and meets and tell others.

You seem to have expertise and credibility in the field. Use that and promote your online business that good 'ol fashioned offline way. Instead of buying backlinks, buy flyers and the gas to visit every truckstop within 100-200 miles. Many states also have truck driving schools. Find a way to tap into that market as well.

I think you will drive more traffic, for your niche and ebook, this way than waiting for a trucker, somewhere, to use his/her online time looking for how to make more money as a truck driver.

For the online part, I am sure there are trucker forums, just like WF. Establish yourself there as well.

I have done promotion of websites in the off line world. Anyone who has tried it knows it doesn't work and is a waste of time and money, which is why hardly anyone does it.

It is hard enough to get people to click on your links or go to your site when they are already on the internet, you think someone who is away from their computer is going to care enough to take a flyer or card, go home, and look on your site? It doesn't work. I have tried booths, universities, career fairs, billboards, flyers posted all around town, blah blah blah. I have advertised on the radio, and television, this doesn't work.

In order to build a business through offline methods you would theoretically have to do what everyone else does to actually build your band name which is to spend thousands of dollars and enormous amounts of time building repore and networking. It can be done, it is just an enormous endeavour and to just say straight up "build your business in the offline world" is very incorrect advice that could end up costing you a lot of money.

Thanks

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Thanks Christopher that is what I'm doing. I handed out over 1000 business cards already. Flyers I got in trouble at several truck stops for handing them out. It seems they don't want competitors. I pick the trucking niche for my first ever website because that is the only thing I'm an expert in. Ever since the age of 16 I'm 36 now that is the only industry I've ever worked in. They say you should build a website in your area of expertise.

Thanks
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Christopher Fox 12 years ago

Fair enough. Doesn't surprise me about getting in trouble, but hopefully you got a few handed out anyway. I see you posted about '1000' cards in your first post and I missed it. Ooops.

There is always the option of removing your for sale book and save that for an email marketing campaign. Start with doing the whole list building thing by having people subscribe to a newsletter where you offer free info and then once a month, or whatever time frame, send out the sales page. I am sure you can talk all day about the ins and outs of trucking. Coming up with a couple free tips and tricks you can send out in an email once per month should be no problem. Gas mileage tips, legislation to watch out for, finding a good diesel mechanic, etc.

You could even make your CDL practice test a condition of them signing up. You could take your speeding ticket site and turn that into a condition of signing up for those with a CDL or turn it into another ebook for your main site.

You are getting 90 visitors per day, if they are unique and 25% of them sign up for a monthly newsletter, and only 25% of those that sign up for your newsletter eventually buy your ebook, that is over 1000 sales from the traffic you are getting in a 6 month period. Numbers of conversions and sign ups may vary, of course, but you can see the potential.

If you do get a list built, you can even send out offers on affiliate products useful to truckers every couple of months.

That's all I got. Happy truckin'.
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Nixgan

12 years ago

I recommend you take up this free book and audio Jaz Lai is giving out. It works wonders for me, and I just used it days ago. Just get the free book and audio, there is enough info on it already !

Click here to take a look

Try it , you might love it. I just started out and I do not face the problems you do so this is my best suggestion.

Sorry for not being able to help more !

Thanks

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bizadpros

12 years ago

Hi,

First the good: your site is build on wordpress - which is a great first start.

Now the "opportunities" I see:

Immediately I get the impression you are trying to sell me something
"Buy my book and make more money!!!"
Can't tell what the website is trying to achieve on your home/landing page
Your Logo looks like a banner ad
grammar and spelling issues, "Ask yourself this questions"???

As stated in other posts, it is wise to offer visitors a reason to stay on your site by offering dynamic information, free ebooks/publications, newsletters, etc.

Also, your site needs to tone it down a little. There is way too much information hitting you right in the face on the home page.

Thanks

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SecretFuss

12 years ago

I looked at your site last nite when I joined. I think it's a great concept, but..IMO

The first thing that put me off was the grammar and spelling like bizadpros stated.

I would personally never buy anything off a site that contained so many grammatical errors. Pronouns such as " I " should always be capitalized, run-on sentences fixed, grammar in general checked by someone else if that's not your strong point. It doesn't look like a professional site or reputable.

I use " Ginger it! " and " MS Word " to check for excessive errors. Ginger it! is free. Works for me so far if I'm in doubt.

I agree with others about the 2nd sidebar. It's distracting and squeezes out the body where your trying to sell your product. One side bar and a larger body would enhance your message.

Also on a sidenote: I think making your keyword Tags box invisible might be wise too. It's a minor change to your CSS Style sheet. But would look more professional ang less like a I'm " trying " to sell blog.

I'm learning just like you-just my 2 cents.

[ 1 ] Thanks

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getboris

12 years ago

All right, really quickly. Your first site about Trucking. Do you really need sidebars on the landing page? And the tag cloud on the right? How is that suppose to get your visitors to read your main content?

I think a full-width page layout would work best for you without sidebars.

I would recommend making your title more prominent (larger) saying something like this,
"A Simple Three-Steps System That Can Make Any Truck Driver Earn $75K The First Year"
or
"Truck Driver Money Machine - 75K First Year With Less Work! Impossible? Read Below:

I wouldn't recommend asking anymore questions in your cover copy, who likes people who without even getting to know you keep firing with quesions? Simply continue with your statement:

You are going to learn how:

Bullet list.

Then limited time offer, testimonials and the usual opt in stuff.

Videos help alot.

I think it should give you better results in conversion if you have traffic.

Thanks
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Dan Curtis

12 years ago

gonzotrucker,

I don't disagree with comments that have been made here. Many of them suggest things with layout, graphics, proofreading, etc.

Those things are fine. On all of our sites we try to make things as readable and as aesthetic as possible.

But I don't think that they are the key in your case. You don't have a site for graphic artists or ballerinas or photography. Your public is truck drivers. I don't think a misplaced modifier is going to scare off too many truck drivers.

But the most glaring problem with your site is your home page content. Your home page is a sales page. You are trying to sell to people that don't know you. You've got things out of order.

Your home page should do only a couple of things. It should set the tone for your site. It should tell them what the purpose is of the website. And it should make them feel that they have arrived at the right place.

And what place is that? The place where they can get the information they are seeking and maybe be entertained a little too.

Then, once they decide you're OK they'll start to look at your articles. The articles don't need to be perfectly written. But they do need to communicate. And if you talk to them in your articles like you would talk to another trucker, they will communicate.

And those articles are where you can place your Adsense, links to your sales pages, affiliate links, paid advertising and product reviews that link to Amazon.

If you do this you will start to see some success.

Thanks
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JaynKeth

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dan Curtis

gonzotrucker,

I don't disagree with comments that have been made here. Many of them suggest things with layout, graphics, proofreading, etc.

Those things are fine. On all of our sites we try to make things as readable and as aesthetic as possible.

But I don't think that they are the key in your case. You don't have a site for graphic artists or ballerinas or photography. Your public is truck drivers. I don't think a misplaced modifier is going to scare off too many truck drivers.

But the most glaring problem with your site is your home page content. Your home page is a sales page. You are trying to sell to people that don't know you. You've got things out of order.

Your home page should do only a couple of things. It should set the tone for your site. It should tell them what the purpose is of the website. And it should make them feel that they have arrived at the right place.

And what place is that? The place where they can get the information they are seeking and maybe be entertained a little too.

Then, once they decide you're OK they'll start to look at your articles. The articles don't need to be perfectly written. But they do need to communicate. And if you talk to them in your articles like you would talk to another trucker, they will communicate.

And those articles are where you can place your Adsense, links to your sales pages, affiliate links, paid advertising and product reviews that link to Amazon.

If you do this you will start to see some success.

Agree with Dan Curtis. Don't sell in the homepage or having the big red "buy my book". The beginning has to be the nightmare/ worst fear that all truck driver had. Then you will capture their heart, then you may proceed with what is the key thing that a truck driver can do to make improvement. Take out the "buy" words. You can sell in another page... have a link that said, want to solve your problem, click here. This will be the people who are interested, then you sell in that page.
My 2 cents, hope you will have good news to us soon!

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AdwordsMogul

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dan Curtis

gonzotrucker,
... On all of our sites we try to make things as readable and as aesthetic as possible.

But I don't think that they are the key in your case. ....

I would like to respectfully, and directly disagree. Making the site more readable is key. If they can't read it how will they buy?

In any case, the site has a lot of potential.

The reason why you are getting overloaded is because you want things too fast in this case.

You need to step back, one thing at a time. You can and WILL make a lot of money if you take your time.

There isn't 1 thing you can do - you have to do several, one by one.

Otherwise, even if you buy a new site you will still repeat the same mistakes.

Look, you're close to success - just do the adjustments that have been suggested.

And you need to change your attitude - forget about dyslexia and all that. This is business, sometimes it gets hard.

Thanks
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fin 12 years ago

Mate,

Don't sell the trucker site. Even if it takes you 6 months to get it right, it's still eventually going to make you income.

If you just sell it you'll take the same problems to your new site.
- Thanks
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specialized

12 years ago

Grammar problems aren't helping

Ask yourself this questions:

If you are paying a proofreader/editor on that site, fire him immediately (and hire me

).

Thanks

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carl preza

12 years ago

Hi gonzotrucker,

I can feel your agony, I think the niche that you're in is ok, but if you want to earn more try health or IM niche. I have one auth site and 3 mini sites (all in health niche) that gives me good income every month.
Start with a good product to promote with good sales page then target keyword with product name on it. It is harder to rank but when you do... It's sure money.
Keep on trying.

cheers,

Carl

Thanks

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WebPen

12 years ago

This is exactly why some marketers don't even like SEO.

You put in all this work, just to find out months later that your website doesn't convert.

And to get a website that does convert, it will likely be harder to optimize for SEO.

To help it convert better- take off some of the stuff from the sides, break up your paragraphs a lot more, edit the sales copy, give a bigger call to action, etc.

Thanks

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Information overload I'm feeling so bad right now. Most of those things you all told me to do I don't understand. Someone said two weeks of work to fix. For me that means 6 months of work. I think I will just scrap this site, and just buy a good site that is earning. I've been trying to learn for 10 months now. But with my dyslexia I have a very hard time learning unless someone teaches me hands on. Thanks for all the help everybody. "Spirits low" Someone before said my sales page was hard to find so i put it on the homepage now that is wrong.

Thanks

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grayghost

12 years ago

on your trucker website you have some button problems that you need to fix. You only have 5 -10 seconds to make the user want to check you site out to see if they want to buy.

Thanks

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Do you think i can get anything out of these two websites on flippa? Both have a lot of articles purchased from the content authority. How do I find out what they are worth? I think internet marketing this way is not for me. Maybe I have to find another way to earn online.

Thanks
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SecretFuss 12 years ago

Don't scrap your site - it has potential. It's yours. Your dream.

It will take longer to build a new site than to fix some of the problems. I think the idea is good. Just read over the posts and pick out what you can apply yourself, and I'm sure someone else will help with what you don't know how to do. Trial and error.

How about a leading phrase like " Are you tired of making pennies as a truck driver? If so, let me show you how you can make up to 55-75K per year. Everything you need to know to reach your goal is in my E-book. Buy it now - with a 30 day money back guarantee. You won't be sorry."

Trial and error
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Dan Curtis

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

Do you think i can get anything out of these two websites on flippa? Both have a lot of articles purchased from the content authority. How do I find out what they are worth? I think internet marketing this way is not for me. Maybe I have to find another way to earn online.

gonzotrucker,

Are you really going to give up so soon? You are just getting started.

This guy came up to Tony Robbins one time and says, "I've tried everything, and nothing works."

So Tony said, "OK. Tell me the last 100 things you tried."

The guy says, somewhat embarrassed, "Well... I uh... I didn't try 100 things."

So Tony cheerfully says, "Fine. Tell me the last 50 things you tried that didn't work."

Well, he didn't try 100. And he didn't try 50. He had tried a few things and was ready to give up. And of course Tony knew that the minute he opened his mouth. He was just trying to make a point.

Your site has a lot of potential. It is a great idea for a site. Much better than most sites you see.

I know about truckers. It's a tough life and a tough way to make a living. Just when you think you're getting ahead you need a new turbo or tires or the fuel bill arrives or the state patrol gives you a $1200 ticket for something that should have been a warning.

If you know truckers you can provide them some help through your site. And if you do you will be rewarded.

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

It needs so much work. All my hard work and money for nothing to show but an ugly website. The funny thing is people are reading my articles. Average time on site is 8 minutes with 4 page views per visit. That has been the averages for the last 2 months. I get a lot of good feedback from truckers on my articles. I think truckers just dont buy alot online maybe that is 1 problem.

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SecretFuss 12 years ago

Gonzo man, don't give up. If it was so easy everyone would be doing it! Then noone would make money.

Why throw away all your hard work. Just take a couple breaths and learn from the advise! It's going to take time. My own business took time. And when I started for example my site looked like cr*p. My coding looked horrible. You should have seen my first Java Script page-it would literally make my website fall apart. I'm still not a seasoned programmer-trial and error.

Your site just needs some spring cleaning is all. Tackle one thing at a time.

You said truckers must not like your site. But then you said Truckers always give you good feedback. In other-words they are interested.

Don't get down and out- Life's too short for that.

-If you need help with your grammar errors and worded content on the site, I'll help you out if you want. Free help. Since your a fellow Arizonan. It will give you a place to start.
- Thanks
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karoubalou

12 years ago

Hello all,
I find this thread really interesting and I read your comments and advice you make in order to help gonzotrucker. I learn many things from your advice.
Gonzotrucker, I also visited your sites. I don't have a lot of improvements to suggest as the experts above have already done that. But I visited your about page in the second site and I found a "Lorem" paragraph. I think you should pay more attention on that because it may have negative effects.

Thanks

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Michael Ehlert

12 years ago

Success in business is about trying, failing and tweaking your way to the results you want.

What you're learning right now is really that there's a lot more to selling a product than an ebook, webpage and some traffic.

Now it's the process of elimination to find out what to build on and what to eliminate.

My first question is how do you know this niche is profitable? Are there other books like Dummies books or books on Amazon selling well? If so, model them, read their reviews and look for what's missing in their books - put it in yours and improve upon what's already there. Get the email address of someone who purchased a similar book on Amazon, who left a well written review and ask them to review your book. You'll give it to them for free (of course) and also, if they want, tell them you'll promote their link in your book. We're looking for feedback here, but you're building something as well

Next, get off the WF and get on over to the forums and blogs where people would be buying your ebook. Start getting feedback from your potential buyers. Let them tell you it sucks or it's great and why.

The above information alone should tell you weather you have a winner or not. Grow from there. After that, as someone previously posted one thing at a time. Don't waste your time though if there's no money trail in truckers and ebooks. Look into providing and AUDIO solution.

Thanks

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karoubalou

12 years ago

Hi,
This is a very interesting thread and I learn many things from the answers. I have also visited both websites. My remark is that I visited your about page in the second website and I found a "Lorem" paragraph. I think that may have a negative impact on your conversion.

Thanks
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cjreynolds 12 years ago

DON'T GIVE UP NOW!!!

I would hate to know how many people quit websites, projects, and even IM altogether when they were right on the brink of success!

You've built an asset - that's more than most people even accomplish! Most don't even get to the point of having ONE website of their own, and you have TWO! Maybe that don't sound like much, but it's more than most have, and it has potential!

You've gotten some great advice (even a newbie like me can spot that ) - especially the advice to move your sales copy off of the homepage - Follow the advice and do a general clean-up of the site - it seems to me you haven't paid enough attention to detail ("Loren Ipsom" stuff still in your copy?? Dude! Gotta be a lot tighter than that..)

Also, once your site is in shape and you get an idea how your ebook converts, you might want to try other products - the ebook may not convert well for this niche, but physical products might (truckers love billfolds and leather stuff) - maybe some Amazon afflinks?

Sure - it's taken 10 months to get it where it is. But look at this as an incubation period for your business - many brick & mortar businesses stay in "incubation mode" for a year or more. It won't take much money to make corrections needed, and you have great support from the folks here at WF. Your success is almost guaranteed if you stick with it! This may not be a profitable niche, but you haven't gotten to the point of knowing that yet.

Keep up the good work! We're all rootin' for ya!

PS: How about music CDs? Lots of time on the road, truckers need music..
- Thanks
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Jamie Hudson

12 years ago

I wouldn't scrap the sites, definitely not. Especially with all the work that's gone into them. I think you could fix them up in a few weeks. The main thing you need to look at is your competitors. How much competition do you have, you need some.

Validate your market by looking for other information products that are selling. If people are spending that much time on your site, they really want the information and I bet they'd be willing to pay for it. You just need to change the sales page, the copy and do some spring cleaning.

I took 60 seconds looking at your trucker site and wrote an entire article on page 1 about all the things that should be altered. I'd be happy to take a closer look for you, pm me if you like.

Thanks

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guruDan

12 years ago

I think you just need to work on making the site a little more aesthetically pleasing and make those amazon products and eBook stand out more. Apart from the Google custom search and banner at the top i couldn't find any links to sites that could possibly generate you revenue (with ease). You should have a couple of amazon banners on the front page, but make it look clean and tidy. If you've managed to get 100 views a day, making your site more pleasing to viewers will be a doddle.

Thanks

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geraldsoh

12 years ago

First site looks ok but you need some amendments.

1) Too many words! - post more attractive photos/videos
2) Add Google Adsense
3) I have a hard time finding the e-book that you are promoting.
4) It's best if you invest a little bit more for an autoresponder and build your list since you have about 100 people everyday.

Quick tip: Use "FREE MODEL STRATEGY" - everybody loves free stuffs!

Integrate facebook and twitter into your blog so that you can interact with your visitors. And they can interact with other fellow truck drivers in your community.

Hope this helps. All the best!

Thanks

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Thanks everybody I had a bad day yesterday online and off. I'm back to feeling like I can do this. What I'm thinking now is giving away my ebook for an email. Then will find some other product to sell. But first I need to clean up my site. When I started this 8 months ago I had to ask my girlfriend to help me set up a facebook page. So I have come a long way. I want this site to earn yes but I truly want to help Truck Drivers earn more. Most of the big trucking companies are under paying new drivers. I'm just going to take a breath not take it too serious. I need a rest I've been going hard on it for so long. I'm going to start now with cleaning up the look. Then I will get aweber give away my book. I'm going back to helping not selling then maybe the sales will come.

But here is where i need help right now. Template this site has had many before. Every time I pick one it's the wrong one. I have really bad taste on this. Can someone tell me the exact template i should use? You already told me no side bars but what about the logo at the top can i keep the one on the left? That is my brand logo the blue one.

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

I'm not going to worry myself with earning an income from this site right now. I will focus on building a relationship, and brand first. Even if it takes me another 8 months for this. Thanks for the information and encouragement everybody. If I can do this then anyone can. For the record i do use ginger grammar, and I buy some great articles from the content authority. If you seen my grammar 8 months ago you would know I'm improving slowly but improving.

Thanks
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SecretFuss 12 years ago

Good to see your attitude change!

Everyone has bad days. Sometimes feeling like your on the edge of failure is a good humbling eye opener to get your butt in gear.

I've been there many times, so has everyone else in every line of business.

I think people on this forum are here to help others. But no-one will spoonfeed success to you. That's up to you.

Remember this: You need to enjoy what your doing to be successful. So enjoy your website. Don't focus on your shortcomings.

Also write from your gut. People need that, they like to associate their feelings with your product. It will drive your sales up.

Eventually your site will take off if you believe in it. It wouldn't hurt to add a little adsense or some affiliate ads along the way. Sooner the better.

Your always welcome to PM me for a little help.
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- SecretFuss 12 years ago
  
  I'm not able to PM yet. Just receive. But I will take a look at some friendlier templates this evening and post back what IMO would be good.
  
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  SecretFuss 12 years ago
  
  Alright I took a look.
  
  I wonder if your bad traffic actually has something to do with Panda. Since your site is so thin-even though it's a e-book site.
  
  Here's a template I found- Wordpress theme called - Relay .
  
  -has 4 ad spots, a spot for a youtube campaign, appropriate size logo area, easy contrast text, photo slide could be pictures of multiple past checks/earning statements.
  
  Others- Wordpress themes called - Blue Sensation theme, Green tech theme, PassionDuo theme
  
  Just do a Google search for the themes-all free. All are 2 column. All have ad spots. But what matters is what you think, and what you can work with. I can't post any links here.
  
  I think a Youtube campaign would also be good for exposure. Talk about examples of what these driver's can find in your e-book. Start adding posts about common truck industry problems and challenges, etc..Get them curious as to how your e-book will help them in the present and future.
  
  I'm not affiliated with any of these themes by the way. Just thought they might be a better fit than the one your using. I would go with a free one first either way.
  
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  gonzotrucker 12 years ago
  
  Thanks secretfuss and everybody else I'm using a simple theme that i can work with. Maybe i should get a custom banner from fiverr now. It's late but I will work with it more tomorrow.
  
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haffow

12 years ago

But come on man... It's never a good idea to have the same pop-up appearing every time someone goes to a new page on your website

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seeksucces

12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

I built 2 websites the first one is 10 months old the second is 3 months old. I'm only getting 100 visitors per day 90 to the first one 10 to the other. But neither one is generating even a single dime. Here is what i have done. Facebook fan page, twitter, google plus, youtube channel, etc etc. I've done research and bought some articles.

I hired someone on odesk with a good reputation to build backlinks and general seo. Both websites have plenty of content over 50 pages on each 100 or more on the first. I even post on forums and have business cards i've handed out "over 1000" of them. So why am i not getting any conversions? The first site the Trucking site i'm selling an ebook how to get the best trucking jobs, Amazon selling trucker things, and pre paid legal trucker insurance. But no sales so far. The second site i'm selling a clickbank item related to the site. Any help or advice is much appreciated. My grammar here is not the same as my site's as i buy articles or hire a proof reader to fix for me.

The problem isn't you, the problem is that you have been fed a lie about internet marketing and also no one has told you that ClickBank sucks.

There is so much internet marketing products out there, the fact is, there is a larger market to sell to people like you and I trying to make money online, than to actually sell valuable products and make money.

You have been led to believe that 'moving this item over here and doing A/B testing' is going to help you out. Or that you need to change the width of your sidebar or change the pop up to make a better ROI. This is all wrong because the fundamental concept is wrong.

AN ONLINE BUSINESS is an extremely difficult endeavour, not to mention there are so many people doing it and the competition is extremely fierce.

The only way to make money online is to provide genuine value. A good example of that is this forum, it is providing excellent value to everyone in it, thus the forum makes money. But this forum took a lot of work.

Putting some content up on a site, building a list, and selling ClickBank products doesn't work. Too many people are doing this, and most of the ClickBank products are so low quality anyways, the conversion rates are awful.

The hardest part about IM is the one thing no one ever tells you; generating traffic. There are books and all sorts of articles on A/B testing. This is a joke. If you even get enough people converting where the A/B tests even result in 1 percent of enough information to make any sort of conclusion, then you already have accomplished the hardest part about an online business, generating traffic.

I am making money on my site, www.seeksuccess.com, but it was an extremely difficult and daunting task. With all the time and money I have spent I could have done so many other things. But I keep on pushing on because I am the type of personality to not give up, and I like running my own business.

My point is not to be fooled by IM material out there that tells you to build a squeeze page and start converting visitors. This is an extremely competitive and difficult business to be in. At least if you own a restaurant you get paid when you sell food. In the online space, you most likely are putting in time and money, and in a lot of cases getting paid 0 dollars!

Keep on pushing on if you want. But it is going to take a lot more than a nice site, some affiliate links, content, and some visitors to make any money.

A lot of people are going to argue with me or have a completely different point of view on the subject. Some people might even be irritated by this post, but I don't care. I am here to tell it how it is and to really help out people who are struggling.

I believe in providing real value to customers and not hiding anything or trying to manipulate my offers, or my information.

There isn't many people out there who will tell it how it is or who has your best interests in mind. Most people online that 'give advice' are trying to manipulate you to make money selling one of their 'informational' products.

If you want to make money with your site, you are going to need to do A WHOLE LOT more than just put up content and build lists, and do blah blah blah. Trust me, I have spent years doing this and know the internet marketing space pretty damn well. I also have 10 years professional experience as a Software Engineer and a Computer Science degree.

Well, it still isn't enough, there is no room for mistakes in this business. It is extremely cut throat. Go read Gary Vaynerchuck's 'Crush It'. He seems to be one of the only people to actually tell it how it is because he has done it, and knows what it means to work hard and build a business.

Good luck to you sir, I want you to succeed and I am here to help everyone I can by telling it how it is and revealing the truth online.

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cjreynolds

12 years ago

Originally Posted by seeksucces

The problem isn't you, the problem is that you have been fed a lie about internet marketing and also no one has told you that ClickBank sucks.

There is so much internet marketing products out there, the fact is, there is a larger market to sell to people like you and I trying to make money online, than to actually sell valuable products and make money.

You have been led to believe that 'moving this item over here and doing A/B testing' is going to help you out. Or that you need to change the width of your sidebar or change the pop up to make a better ROI. This is all wrong because the fundamental concept is wrong.

AN ONLINE BUSINESS is an extremely difficult endeavour, not to mention there are so many people doing it and the competition is extremely fierce.

The only way to make money online is to provide genuine value. A good example of that is this forum, it is providing excellent value to everyone in it, thus the forum makes money. But this forum took a lot of work.

Putting some content up on a site, building a list, and selling ClickBank products doesn't work. Too many people are doing this, and most of the ClickBank products are so low quality anyways, the conversion rates are awful.

The hardest part about IM is the one thing no one ever tells you; generating traffic. There are books and all sorts of articles on A/B testing. This is a joke. If you even get enough people converting where the A/B tests even result in 1 percent of enough information to make any sort of conclusion, then you already have accomplished the hardest part about an online business, generating traffic.

I am making money on my site, www.seeksuccess.com, but it was an extremely difficult and daunting task. With all the time and money I have spent I could have done so many other things. But I keep on pushing on because I am the type of personality to not give up, and I like running my own business.

My point is not to be fooled by IM material out there that tells you to build a squeeze page and start converting visitors. This is an extremely competitive and difficult business to be in. At least if you own a restaurant you get paid when you sell food. In the online space, you most likely are putting in time and money, and in a lot of cases getting paid 0 dollars!

Keep on pushing on if you want. But it is going to take a lot more than a nice site, some affiliate links, content, and some visitors to make any money.

A lot of people are going to argue with me or have a completely different point of view on the subject. Some people might even be irritated by this post, but I don't care. I am here to tell it how it is and to really help out people who are struggling.

I believe in providing real value to customers and not hiding anything or trying to manipulate my offers, or my information.

There isn't many people out there who will tell it how it is or who has your best interests in mind. Most people online that 'give advice' are trying to manipulate you to make money selling one of their 'informational' products.

If you want to make money with your site, you are going to need to do A WHOLE LOT more than just put up content and build lists, and do blah blah blah. Trust me, I have spent years doing this and know the internet marketing space pretty damn well. I also have 10 years professional experience as a Software Engineer and a Computer Science degree.

Well, it still isn't enough, there is no room for mistakes in this business. It is extremely cut throat. Go read Gary Vaynerchuck's 'Crush It'. He seems to be one of the only people to actually tell it how it is because he has done it, and knows what it means to work hard and build a business.

Good luck to you sir, I want you to succeed and I am here to help everyone I can by telling it how it is and revealing the truth online.

The reason you are not getting conversions is because the fundamental concept of creating content, building a web page, and making money doesn't work. It's not enough to make money. We have all been fed the lie. Changing a pop up, or modifying the design isn't going to make a damn difference.

In fact, there are a lot of examples about sites with crappy designs making a ton of money and bringing in a ton of visitors.

Those things are irrelevant for the most part, they might make a difference, but is it very small.

But once again, unfortunately, slapping down a niche site with valuable content and selling ebooks doesn't work. I am telling you how it is because I have done this and I have first hand experience.

I have done promotion of websites in the off line world. Anyone who has tried it knows it doesn't work and is a waste of time and money, which is why hardly anyone does it.

It is hard enough to get people to click on your links or go to your site when they are already on the internet, you think someone who is away from their computer is going to care enough to take a flyer or card, go home, and look on your site? It doesn't work. I have tried booths, universities, career fairs, billboards, flyers posted all around town, blah blah blah. I have advertised on the radio, and television, this doesn't work.

In order to build a business through offline methods you would theoretically have to do what everyone else does to actually build your band name which is to spend thousands of dollars and enormous amounts of time building repore and networking. It can be done, it is just an enormous endeavour and to just say straight up "build your business in the offline world" is very incorrect advice that could end up costing you a lot of money.

Wow! With all the stuff that don't work in this business, I'm 'bout to give up and start sellin' shoes for a livin'

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specialized

12 years ago

Hey Gonzo, glad you're back in the game. You know what, if you'd like me to proofread or edit anything when the time comes, I'll do it for free man... just PM me.

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MikeTucker

12 years ago

Gonzo,
You are still bouncing all over the place, my friend.
What happened to the advice we gave you last time?

You're still facing the same challenges, and our
answers are still the same, my friend.

You need to focus. Remember you told me you
were going to outsource the design and tech stuff?

Why are you worried about flippa? Why are you
worried about a template? Get your site
up and done, and focus on that one thing,
which is building your list!

You don't have to do it the way I suggested,
use anyone's method it doesn't matter, but
focus on that one thing.

Remember where you want to be by X-mas.
That list is what is going to get you there.

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eman1

12 years ago

In addition to all of the great suggestions given above, it is really important to invest some time doing proper niche and keyword research before building your websites to see what the level of interest is online.

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Jamie Hudson

12 years ago

LOL.... SeekSuccess - it sounds like you really struggled with Internet Marketing.

The fact that you say you can't put up a website, add content, build a list and make money is bull****... That tells me you've never gotten enough traffic or done enough testing.

I make a lot of money from niche websites. A lot of the time I just build websites, add content, replace list building with Google Ads - rank the site and then make money.

It works and it works very well if you know how to get conversions and traffic.

Selling is a different story.

His fundamentals aren't wrong at all. His fundamentals are good. He's found a niche where people are looking for a solution. Taking the trucker example, people who want to earn a living trucking...

With a better looking site and a much better sales page: I could almost guarantee he'd sell his product. What he's doing is correct, how he's doing it is slightly "off".

He is giving real value, he needs to give better value and more of it - that's all. He needs to test what works and he needs more test subjects i.e. traffic..

Traffic is the most difficult thing in Internet Marketing, nobody ever told us that? Psssst...

Generating traffic is actually very simple. It's a scientific process. The formula is ever changing, but it's always more or less the same.

"The reason you are not getting conversions is because the fundamental concept of creating content, building a web page, and making money doesn't work. It's not enough to make money."

There is some truth in that.

It's not enough anymore, that's true. Now it's got a little more complex. You need to provide obscene amounts of value and you need to build relationships - but we've always known that.

"Clickbank sucks"

The majority of clickbank sucks. At the end of the day, it all boils down to providing solutions to people who have problems. Humans as a species will always, for as long as we live exchange currency for a solution to their problems.

Gonzotrucker has a product that provides the solution to his market's problem. So therefore if he gets the delivery right he will make money. Starting by making his sales page and website excellent and providing a lot more value through articles, videos, information, email marketing and whatever else.

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GMT

12 years ago

@OP your second site where you click the order now button it just takes me to another sales page on some other guys site. I can see potential buyers getting annoyed with that and just leave.

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Gmt I dont know how to fix that? It's a clickbank item so i thought that is how it works.

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wAvision 12 years ago

Originally Posted by gonzotrucker

Gmt I dont know how to fix that? It's a clickbank item so i thought that is how it works.

Yes, this is how it works...i think GMT is just pointing out that maybe you should change the page on your site up, which has a lot of the same stuff and info as the clickbank page has on it...

presell them on your page and let the clickbank page do the selling....

BTW the trucker site is looking MUCH better....keep working at it and keep the good work up!
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Andrew Mak

12 years ago

i check the truck site, IMHO the theme is not really fit to the site, the 3 panel make a lot of empty space on both side when scrolling down and the main contain area is too compact.

try to copy a proven winner on flippa,
- go to filppa, check for the "just sold" section
- check for the Adsense site which sold at a high price like $1,000
- check the site and see what is the different compare to yours.

Hope this help

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gonzotrucker

12 years ago

Everything helps Andrew good idea thanks.

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jaiganeshv

12 years ago

keyword selection

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cjreynolds 12 years ago

Trucker site looks much better now! Good job!
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MikeTucker 12 years ago

Originally Posted by jaiganeshv

keyword selection

I'm sorry Gonzo, SEO is just not going to be the
method you use to find success.

This isn't even a knock against SEO, which I normally
do... This is about you.

When strangers find your site in Google, you must:

1. Have a very sharp, professional-looking site
2. Have a great offer to get them to opt-in to your list
3. Have a great email campaign
4. Have great sales copy

...All while building backlinks in the hopes that you can
somehow compete with the established sites that already
dominate your niche and have very strong resources.

My friend, I am telling you that the most powerful
asset you have is your ability to relate to real truckers.
You need to stop wondering around from strategy to strategy
and idea to idea and just do the work that you already
know you have to get done.

The sooner you get to it, the sooner you are going
to be able to reach those goals we talked about.
I still believe you can do it by X-mas of this year.
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Keith Coppuck

12 years ago

Hi Gonzotrucker,

just a thought. Place yourself in the seat of the person first viewing your site and ask yourself:

what are they looking for?
why did they come to your site?
how can you help them?
what is their problem?

If you can work that out all you really need to do is serve the answers up and hopefully start earning some money> Don't forget to push your Unique Selling Point!

Best regards

Keith

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Chris-

12 years ago

Amazon can be really great but it depends on a number of factors, some of which you can only test and not determine beforehand. Some products sell well, others that you'd think would be better, don't sell at all.

Clickbank is MUCH more difficult to sell, and I wouldn't advise it for newbies until they are making good money with some other methods. I suggest putting AdSense on your site that has the ClickBank products on it, because you will make money from a site having a steady stread of visitors, using AdSense, even on the same site that you'll make nothing from ClickBank nor trying to sell your own ebook (for which you need VERY strong sales copy, autoresponders and other stuff, and even then, some products still won't sell at all).

As for outsourcing backlinking, it sounds like you might be outsourcing something you haven't tested yet yourself. Particularly since the Penguin update, backlinking can do you as much harm as good unless you do it very well, which means a wide variety of different types of backlinks, not many backlinks to a new site (although you can make a few web2.0 pages or videos, then send tons of backlinks to them), and other stuff that most people won't think of, which makes a big difference to how natural the backlinks will look.

Hope that gives you some idea

Chris
(PS. if you want to know more about AdSense and Backlinking, my PLR package includes full details on AdSense and a 55-page backlinking guide!).

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Himitsu

12 years ago

Hi Buddy!
Your websites is just another copy of many websites!
Use something original!
Bye!

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MikeTucker 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Himitsu

Hi Buddy!
Your websites is just another copy of many websites!
Use something original!
Bye!

Hey Buddy!
Thanks for another useless, generic post!
I can't wait until you edit your signature
so that I can see what cheap backlink you
are working so hard to get!
Bye!
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mugwande

12 years ago

Its almost the same problem i have with my site but the different is that mine is even going down when ever its like coming up and it goes down again me to don't know what to do.