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Reading The Signals

by Lee Campbell
9 replies
Okay I am not sure if this is the omen or what but would like some input.

If I have had 1000 visits, probably 800-900 unique, 60 subscribe, 83 click on my affiliate link, and 0 sales is that going to be a sign to just drop this niche? It has been about 2 months since I created the website and started promoting it. I don't want to give up but at the same time I feel like I could probably sell the website and move on to a new niche.

If I don't sell it my other alternatives would be A) to find a way to get people in my niche to advertise on my website B) try a whole new approach where I am not concentrated on building my list but promote many affiliates on the website rather than the way I am doing it right now.

Just for the purpose of the thread I will post my website but if it is a problem I will remove it. Just want to get some feedback. The niche is golf/golf instruction and the website is Play Golf Better.
#reading #signals
  • Profile picture of the author spyxx
    Just check your website and can't find your affiliate link anywhere. I know someone who make a killing selling ebook in this niche. There is money to be made. You just need to improvise your site and drive more traffic. 83 click and 0 sales is perfectly normal. 2 Month and only 3 article posted is not good. Give more value to your reader, give them more value. And Here is a question I want you to ask yourself.

    Did I drive my visitor to my site with the right keywords (buying keywords)?
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  • Profile picture of the author Lee Campbell
    Well I have been doing it where they will only see an affiliate link if they sign up. I am starting to rethink this method now though. Also as far as the 3 articles what I had been doing was writing articles on eZine and then sending them there as a static page where they will get the seven free lessons when they stand up.

    As far as buying keywords I do not do any PPC everything is free advertising such as articles, facebook, twitter, and a few other things.
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    • Profile picture of the author ripsnorta2
      Originally Posted by Lee Campbell View Post

      Well I have been doing it where they will only see an affiliate link if they sign up. I am starting to rethink this method now though. Also as far as the 3 articles what I had been doing was writing articles on eZine and then sending them there as a static page where they will get the seven free lessons when they stand up.

      As far as buying keywords I do not do any PPC everything is free advertising such as articles, facebook, twitter, and a few other things.
      Well, that's your mistake. You are making it hard for a visitor to see what you have to sell, let alone actually buy through the affiliate link.

      Make sure that any products you have to sell are visible, typically this means above the fold, and easy to click on. A large font, Download Product X Now style link positioned somewhere obvious is good.

      Use your list as a newsletter to build a relationship and not only include the affiliate link there, but review other products occasionally too.
      Signature

      Cheers, John

      Codeboss -- Useful Software Tailored For Your Business

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  • Profile picture of the author spyxx
    Well, you miss the most important point of blogging. You use article directory and send them to your site to get backlink then You want your blog to rank for some buying keywords. This way you will get more traffic from organic results.

    You want to change the method immediately, people really hate it when they have to go through couple steps before they get to the sales page. This is the reason why they invent one click upsells. You want to minimize the steps.

    Btw Why don't you post the article you wrote on Ezine to your blog? I mean re use what you already have. Don't worry about the duplicate content rules. As long as both article not hosted on the same domain the rules doesn't applied.

    I never say anything about ppc advertising. With blog can just write seo optimized article and get them rank for the phrase.
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  • Profile picture of the author spyxx
    Well Said John,, that what I am trying to say.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexandre Valois
    Lee,

    First thing I noticed is you make no mention of the product you are pushing anywhere on the blog. You must let the readers know that they have started a process and that there is "more" for them as you lead them in your sales funnel.

    Right now, my initial reaction to the articles and optin box would simply be: so what? *pushes back button*

    Also I wouldn't push the optin form on all posts as that gives me an overall "needy" and pushy vibe. I'm sure that sticking with just the box you have on the right could actually improve your signups rate right there.


    Hope this helps.
    Alex.
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  • Profile picture of the author GrantFreeman
    Originally Posted by Lee Campbell View Post

    Okay I am not sure if this is the omen or what but would like some input.

    If I have had 1000 visits, probably 800-900 unique, 60 subscribe, 83 click on my affiliate link, and 0 sales is that going to be a sign to just drop this niche? It has been about 2 months since I created the website and started promoting it. I don't want to give up but at the same time I feel like I could probably sell the website and move on to a new niche.

    If I don't sell it my other alternatives would be A) to find a way to get people in my niche to advertise on my website B) try a whole new approach where I am not concentrated on building my list but promote many affiliates on the website rather than the way I am doing it right now.

    Just for the purpose of the thread I will post my website but if it is a problem I will remove it. Just want to get some feedback. The niche is golf/golf instruction and the website is Play Golf Better.
    Dude, don't give up. You know how long it took my first site to make money? About 6 months. $24.00 sale.

    Know how long to break a $200 week?

    A year and a half.

    It's a business, not just a website. If you water it, it will grow. Just do it faster than I did

    Grant
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  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    Well it doesn't seem like your site is doing that bad to me given the stats. Like the others have said, you need to let the reader know what you have to offer - you really need to lead them to your most wanted action whether that be to sign up to your autoresponder or click the affiliate link. Don't be afraid to be obvious about it.

    Also, I think you need to send at least a couple of hundred visitors to the product you are promoting before you can make a judgment as to whether or not it converts. You've only sent 83 so far so it's too soon to tell whether they will buy or not.

    Keep working it and the money will follow!

    Lee
    Signature
    Gone Fishing
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  • Profile picture of the author Lee Campbell
    Thanks for the positive words and constructive criticism guys and gals. I appreciate it.

    As far as the affiliate goes I had seen someone who had great success with giving them the option to either sign up or leave. Apparently I didn't do it nearly as well as they did. So I feel like today will probably be a day where I am going to be writing a lot of content to the website as well as including affiliate links and possibly banners for golf stores on the site, and even some adsense. I can always try this for a month and if it doesn't work out do something else I guess.

    As far as the opt-in boxes I have just done some changes with the themes and this is the first theme where I have a separate opt-in box, the others I just couldn't seem to get it on there. Just curious do you all like the overall look of the website? Or is it too simple?

    Any more suggestions though I would love to hear some.

    Thanks,
    Lee
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