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All I Want for Christmas is a New Webpage - Help!

by OKFarmgirl
26 replies
Hi guys! I realized when I logged in today that it's been almost three years since I visited. Moving and life and work got in the way. Quick backstory:

I lived in Oklahoma on a farm with my husband's family and built a website around it. In six months I got up to 2000 unique visitors/mo using my own SEO articles and small marketing submissions to Digg, Reddit, Facebook, and other places to gain more visibility. I made a bit of money between Google Adsense and Amazon Affiliates - enough to keep the page up and not much more. Gardening is super seasonal, and not really high dollar. I had a few top of Google articles that really drove 90% of my traffic. Then we lost the farm, sad, sad, etc.

Okay, so now I'm working full-time, and I desperately miss writing and building my website! I was pretty upset to learn that Amazon doesn't do Affiliate stuff in my state, so that is out as a money maker. My plan this time around is to diversify my efforts.

I'm planning to use InMotionHosting as they have always been awesome web hosts at a reasonable price with amazing support. The package I plan to get gives me up to 6 separate websites (actual domains, not subs). I would like to do one of them on something I'm passionate about (possibly a rehash of my gardening site) so I have something I can be excited about writing on. The other five, I would like to make high-dollar affiliate/adsense sites. Not sure at all about what. 100% content driven.

So, money is a bit of a factor - I'm all about elbow grease - if I can do it myself, and it's a little harder or more time consuming (i.e. writing my own articles), I'm down with that. But I am interested in what products (keyword/niche tools, marketing tools) should be in my arsenal. Like, what would you say I simply cannot live without?

Finally, I have ZERO against using various avenues to generate link-backs, and whatnot, but I'm hoping to have a more genuine, grass roots approach to boosting my site rankings and traffic through SEO and manual marketing. I'm not personally a fan of outsourcing shills. No disrespect intended by that, just demonstrating that I'm okay with a slower build.

My end goal? I would like to have each of these six make me $500/mo, for a total of $3k. This would allow me to stay home and work on it full time. I don't think it's a pipe dream. Web design is a passion, but I don't have the schooling to do it in corporate America. If you have any thoughts at all, any advice would be so appreciated. Thank you!
#adsense #affiliate #christmas #content #seo #webpage
  • Profile picture of the author ecoverartist
    Can you share more about what your website is about? Do you want all six of them to be about affiliate products?
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    • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
      I am starting at total ground zero. My farm site was successful I think because I researched the CRAP out of keywords and wrote (sometimes with a grammatical cringe) with content and SEO in mind. I sold a bunch of one garden product because I used a few common misspellings. I wrote articles based around keywords people were searching.

      I don't know if it's better to have the sites be related or to completely diversify. For example, is it better to target one industry and have the six sites related, but more niche specific? Like for Widgets, sites that narrow it down to Silly Widgets, Expensive Widgets, Gold Plated Widgets for Breastfeeding Mom's of Twins, etc? Or is it as likely to be successful if they are six independent websites on unrelated items?

      As far as what I'm tossing around, I'm thinking medical equipment, high dollar tools, luxury niches, etc. Things that if someone buys, it will be over a grand with a decent percentage payout. Then the adsense can round out for those not ready to buy on the spot.
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  • Profile picture of the author onSubie
    I don't know that host, but a host would not usually limit the number of domains or sites you can have. Having many sites may impact your storage and bandwidth limits but you shouldn't have an actual cap on the number of sites or domains you can have.

    For example, the Hostgator 'Baby Plan' is about the same price, maybe $1 more per month. But you get unlimited domains, disk space and bandwidth.

    Although the disk space and bandwidth may not actually be 'unlimited' they do not restrict the number of domains you can create and host.

    Same with many other hosts. It just seems odd to charge that high a fee and limit the number of domains to 6.

    A lot of advice would depend on your niche(s) but generally you can do well without any SEO if you concentrate on using social avenues to engage people and direct them to your website. Other blogs, people and social sites will produce natural backlinks as people share your content.

    YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter plus any other good social sites relevant to the niche you are in.

    Also make sure you start building a list and use that to promote your articles and content and send them to your blog on a regular basis.

    What is your plan to monetize? Affiliate marketing with Clickbank, Amazon, etc? AdSense, banner ads and text links? Your own products?
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    • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
      onSubie, I think I like InMotion because they are 100% stateside, and I have never had anything but perfect customer service for them. They have an unlimited plan, which I could switch to later - I'm just thinking that six is a good starting point for me so I don't get overwhelmed. I'm cool with paying a little more for personalized attention when I need help.

      As far as monetizing, I absolutely wish I could use Amazon, but they don't do their affiliate program in my state (tax issues, I guess). I suppose I could create a P.O. Box in another state, but meh. So with that major avenue (I know it inside and out, so this really sucks) gone, I'm thinking single site affiliate links to specific products that are available in my state, and adsense placed on the site with banners and possibly text. I have never used ClickBank, but I will read up on it. Am I missing any other obvious monetizing sources?

      YouTube is probably the one social media source that I use as a consumer, but have never used for marketing. I'm not against it, I'm just not sure how I would implement it, particularly if it's not a product or topic I'm into personally. (I'd love to do a gardening vlog, but maybe not so much on a motorboat engine, you know?) Can you point me toward a resource about how to use YouTube for marketing without putting your mug on screen? LOL
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      • Profile picture of the author onSubie
        Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post

        I'm thinking single site affiliate links to specific products that are available in my state, and adsense placed on the site with banners and possibly text. I have never used ClickBank, but I will read up on it. Am I missing any other obvious monetizing sources?
        You could look at Commission Junction. They have lots of affiliate programs and CPA offers. They run the affiliate program for Wal-Mart and Best Buy, I think.



        YouTube is probably the one social media source that I use as a consumer, but have never used for marketing. I'm not against it, I'm just not sure how I would implement it, particularly if it's not a product or topic I'm into personally. (I'd love to do a gardening vlog, but maybe not so much on a motorboat engine, you know?) Can you point me toward a resource about how to use YouTube for marketing without putting your mug on screen? LOL
        Google around for info about ranking videos, YouTube SEO, Keyword Title optimization, etc.

        Creating the videos isn't a big deal. You can use slides with voice-over for example as well as speaking on screen. Lots of fiverr gigs will make a video or read a script.

        Also, animated videos can also be found on fiverr pretty cheap.

        If you search the forum or Google you should be able to find a number of video creation tools that are free. Just set up a list of images, select a music file and the video tool puts it all together as an animated slide show.

        Animoto is one but there are many others.
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    • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
      Rick, thank you for the suggestion - not really my scene, but I appreciate it!
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  • Profile picture of the author Brent Stangel
    but I'm hoping to have a more genuine, grass roots approach to boosting my site rankings and traffic through SEO
    Very shaky ground to build a business on.

    If you must go "free" there are better ways. Search for Alexa Smith's posts on article syndication. Learn email marketing, video marketing, etc.
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    • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
      Originally Posted by Brent Stangel View Post

      Very shaky ground to build a business on.

      If you must go "free" there are better ways. Search for Alexa Smith's posts on article syndication. Learn email marketing, video marketing, etc.
      I don't necessarily need to go "free", I just just don't want to have a bunch of poorly written, obviously outsourced, fake links. It's idealistic, I suppose, to want the sites to boom based on quality, but I think in the long-term, this will keep it rolling. I don't know. Maybe it doesn't matter. I will look for that article. Thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author hometutor
    Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post


    Finally, I have ZERO against using various avenues to generate link-backs, and whatnot, but I'm hoping to have a more genuine, grass roots approach to boosting my site rankings and traffic through SEO and manual marketing. I'm not personally a fan of outsourcing shills. No disrespect intended by that, just demonstrating that I'm okay with a slower build. !
    Slower's fine,

    But to me that's like just advertising in one phone book and not doing anything else to bring customers into your business. Get some social media buttons up there so people can share your posts, build your list, etc. Depending on one traffic source is like depending on one income. If it dries up or if a policy changes your entire income, not just a percentage, is toast.

    Rick
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    • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
      Originally Posted by hometutor View Post

      Slower's fine,

      But to me that's like just advertising in one phone book and not doing anything else to bring customers into your business. Get some social media buttons up there so people can share your posts, build your list, etc. Depending on one traffic source is like depending on one income. If it dries up or if a policy changes your entire income, not just a percentage, is toast.

      Rick
      I'm not just going to submit it to Google and cross my fingers! LOL I understand social media networking and cross linking from other already Google-valued sites via participation, linking, and generating content yourself in those areas. So I guess the question is, if I don't pay folks overseas to generate Follow links such as "I appreciate very much your views as expressed in this excellent article. I could not agree more. Perhaps you will also find useful this most excellent article link?", can I still generate traffic to the site?

      I think I can. If I'm wrong, I would like to know, because I will need to rethink my strategy.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    FarmGirl... I'm in IL as well, assuming that is your current location. Amazon DOES indeed take affiliates in Illinois now. Amazon Affiliates Reinstated in Illinois | The PMA

    As for your SEO strategy a lot of things have changed and will continue to change. The focus isn't exactly on keywords anymore but keyword topics.

    You really shouldn't be writing articles with the main focus being SEO, your focus should be your visitors. The title and headings along with the URL could be optimized for SEO but make sure your content is as helpful and full of value as possible.
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  • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
    First, iAmNameLess, you have just made my freaking day! OMG. Amazon, come to mamma!

    Second, I totally agree, because even when I was writing with SEO as a huge focus, it never made my articles come across as canned tripe. I love to write. I don't love to write articles akin to what is typical of services like TextBroker because who wants to read those? The keywords may generate the click, but keeping me past three seconds on a poorly writen, keyword-packed site is impossible. I'd like to think most folks use the web that way. Content is king, as they say. So if I can create keyword savvy articles that don't suck, this is good, right? Most of my SEO was subtle, but effective. I think my main challenge now is that I've been out of it for three years, and I don't know what the keys are now to traffic generation compared to then.

    I was pleased as punch to have 2k visitors on a website about a family farm. I did that in six months. It's not the Valhalla of the Internet, but for me, it was a major accomplishment. I believe that with something a little less seasonal, and a little more profitable, my writing can generate sales. Now, I'm going to spend a ton of time between now and Christmas trying to figure out what exactly I need to focus on to make my sites earn that traffic (via the WF and other resources).

    I've noticed that the Google Keyword Tool doesn't seem to be the same as it was before. What is the best keyword research tool I can use without spending a total mint?
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post

      First, iAmNameLess, you have just made my freaking day! OMG. Amazon, come to mamma!
      LOL.. yeah I was pretty stoked when that happened.

      You know, maybe you should continue with the farm niche. I could imagine that there are people that want to build their own green house, or grow certain spices and vegetables inside during the winter. I would bet that you could definitely pull in consistent traffic all year round. People are more concerned about growing their own stuff than they were 3 years ago. The organic excitement continues!

      Were you building a list during that time? I would recommend that be your main focus and maybe you could also monetize eventually by releasing your own product, ebook, membership, etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        Were you building a list during that time? I would recommend that be your main focus and maybe you could also monetize eventually by releasing your own product, ebook, membership, etc.
        I need more of an understanding of what "building a list" means. I had a farm Facebook Page and posted new articles there. It still exists, in fact, but only has like 44 likes because I kind of shut it down when we moved. You're talking about user registration?
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    • Profile picture of the author hometutor
      Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post


      I've noticed that the Google Keyword Tool doesn't seem to be the same as it was before. What is the best keyword research tool I can use without spending a total mint?
      Yeah I got away from that on their last UI change. It's all convoluted. Many opinions are it Google Keyword tool is more directed toward selling ads that actual keyword optimization. Which makes sense since that is now Google's primary income.

      Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
    That makes sense. So like maybe a combo of squeeze page adverts and website registrations? Newsletters?
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post

      That makes sense. So like maybe a combo of squeeze page adverts and website registrations? Newsletters?
      You could set up an autoresponder like aweber or something similar, give an incentive for them subscribing to your list, like 7 Secrets Big Agriculture Hopes You NEVER Find Out....

      Entice them to subscribe to you. The list you build is something you can stay alert on new blog posts, push affiliate products, your own courses, etc.
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      • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
        Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

        ... like 7 Secrets Big Agriculture Hopes You NEVER Find Out....
        This. I shall become an Upworthy/Buzzfeed clone and click-bait myself into millions. LOL (I am not making fun - I am a total sucker for click-bait!)
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    • Profile picture of the author hometutor
      Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post

      That makes sense. So like maybe a combo of squeeze page adverts and website registrations? Newsletters?
      Get the email with some type of offer of product, more information. An email marketing service such as Aweber or Getresponse can handle this, my forum members can click notify on any topic.

      Hmmmm a forum style web site with proper mods installed would take care of everything we spoke of. Think about that,

      Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
    What is the difference between these you guys have mentioned and free autoresponder plugins for wordpress? What is the benefit of paid vs. free?
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post

      What is the difference between these you guys have mentioned and free autoresponder plugins for wordpress? What is the benefit of paid vs. free?
      Reliability, deliverability, and security are the top 3 reasons.

      If you build a list of 1,000 subscribers and use a free autoresponder plugin for wordpress, the php sendmail call that it uses may only truly be delivering to 50% of those subscribers, which is bad.

      Also, Wordpress and ANY CMS for that matter can easily be exploited, your subscriber list can be hijacked or spammed to death with viagra and cialis offers. Another thing is that many hosting platforms don't allow you to mass email, or have severe throttling limits if you do.

      The list is going to be your money maker, it is your security for when Google wants to shake things up. It allows you to make money at a click of a button once you have things built up.
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    • Profile picture of the author hometutor
      Originally Posted by OKFarmgirl View Post

      What is the difference between these you guys have mentioned and free autoresponder plugins for wordpress? What is the benefit of paid vs. free?
      With my forum I can set the number of emails that go out per minute. If you send with your own hosting service check the email limits per hour you can send.

      Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author OKFarmgirl
    After a bit of Google Fu, I found the same reasons you just pointed out. <$200 a year isn't a huge business expense. I'm genuinely wanting to make this my career. I'll keep my decent job I have now until I see some seriously consistent outcomes, and continue to grow as I go. I am not looking to be a millionaire (though, you know...) but to develop something that will get me at home and eventually my husband as well, so we can live our middle income lives with a little more together time.

    That said, the one thing I'm not sure where to go with is choosing the niches and researching the keywords to choose domains and optimize the sites. I know the Samurai one is highly touted on here, but I'm not sure if that's the only or best option. Thoughts?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
    You might consider writing articles for websites focused on Suburban Farming and Urban Farming. Also your own websites and monetize them with links to magazine subscriptions.Not spread yourself too thin, but you could do both.

    Instead of building websites and waiting on profits and traffic, etc. you might also consider earning money from an existing website. You start by visiting magazines with copies of your own work and offer to write for the magazine wherein they publish your articles with links to your website! Also, many magazines already publish online versions of their printed magazines.

    You earn money doing what you used to do and what you still do, but someone else pays you for your work and the traffic to your own site.

    Good luck and happy holidays.

    Jeffery 100% :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author JustAnotherOwl
    Hey OK! I don't really have any advice, but it's nice to see someone else with the (possibly idealistic) notion of taking a more grassroots approach, while not being completely naive about it. I'm thinking of trying something like that myself, so I'm glad I'm not the only one!
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