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I Would Like Your Opinion .....

by Jeff Gibson
13 replies
I know that there are a lot of affiliates promoting WordPress Themes / Templates and I'm sure some are making a good income from it. Elegant Themes states that they pay out $1,000,000 a year to affiliates.

I'm going to try my hand at creating an affiliate site that showcases WordPress Themes / Templates and so I would like your opinion on something. When you are searching for a WordPress theme and you visit an affiliate site, what layout did you encounter on one of those sites that caused you to stay on the site and view the themes that were presented and possible click through to the advertiser's site?

Some affiliate sites I've seen have tried the "Google" like search engine approach. Some have just plastered thumbnail images over entire pages, some have used the "list style" approach with a description of the theme to the right of the thumbnail a lot of sites that are ranked high on Google use the blog post approach in which you have to just keep scrolling down to keep viewing the images.

A. What layout have you seen that causes you to stay on the site and look around and possibly click on one of the links?

B. Is there a layout that you haven't seen but think would be a nice for this type of site?

Thanks for your time.
#opinion #woul
  • Profile picture of the author Sgt Kraut
    The most important thing is that I can see how the theme looks and then read some short description, maybe with bulletpoints like:

    - Responsive Theme
    - SEO Optimized
    - Multilanguage

    So I think the "list style" and thumbnails in a grid-like layout are both fine.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Gibson
      Originally Posted by Sgt Kraut View Post

      The most important thing is that I can see how the theme looks and then read some short description, maybe with bulletpoints like:

      - Responsive Theme
      - SEO Optimized
      - Multilanguage

      So I think the "list style" and thumbnails in a grid-like layout are both fine.
      Yea i thought about creating a page with those options and more once they click
      On the initial thumbnail
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  • Profile picture of the author chrislewis217
    From my personal experience, the grid layout and and list layout where you have to keep scrolling are what I found best. I never liked it when I came across a site that tried to innovative in their layout and was hard to understand how to scroll through the themes.

    Best way is always the simple way in my opinion. Also from my experience when searching for a theme I'm kind of in a hurry to pick one so I can get started. Also showing the demo after actually clicking demo button on the web page would be nice.

    I have come across sites where I click demo, and then it takes me to another site where I have to click demo again to actually look at the preview of the site. I know it's an affiliate but there has to be a way around this since it's annoying.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Gibson
      Originally Posted by chrislewis217 View Post

      From my personal experience, the grid layout and and list layout where you have to keep scrolling are what I found best. I never liked it when I came across a site that tried to innovative in their layout and was hard to understand how to scroll through the themes.

      Best way is always the simple way in my opinion. Also from my experience when searching for a theme I'm kind of in a hurry to pick one so I can get started. Also showing the demo after actually clicking demo button on the web page would be nice.

      I have come across sites where I click demo, and then it takes me to another site where I have to click demo again to actually look at the preview of the site. I know it's an affiliate but there has to be a way around this since it's annoying.
      I agree with you on the demo part. A lot of the sites give you a way to create
      a custom link to their demo but a lot of affiliates only link to the homepage
      which forces you to search again for your theme.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
        Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

        To be very honest, Jeff, I wouldn't go to an affiliate site to find a theme. I would go directly to the source (Theme Forest, Elegant Themes, WordPress, Woo Themes, iThemes, StudioPress, etc).

        I think most folks would rather avoid the extra step of going through an affiliate to get to the "store" where they could sample demos, see examples, and make a purchase directly.

        I know there are affiliates recommending themes, but I personally like to go right to the source. I don't think most people look for themes by name. I think they go directly to the car lot where they can see what's available, kick a few tires, and take a test drive.

        Just my opinion . . .

        Steve
        Originally Posted by Jeff Gibson View Post

        I agree with you on the demo part. A lot of the sites give you a way to create
        a custom link to their demo but a lot of affiliates only link to the homepage
        which forces you to search again for your theme.
        There is truth to both. One of the considerations is not all developers offer any support to the customer when the theme is purchased through an affiliate link. However, most developers offer full support regardless of how the theme is purchased.

        I would only affiliate myself with developers that provide full support.

        Specifically stating on your website that the purchaser receives full support from the developer is very important because you do not want refund requests.

        There are many times that I customize WordPress websites and the themes for clients that purchased the theme directly from the source, i.e. the developer's website. There are also many times that my clients purchase additional themes from the same source through my affiliate link. This helps keep my own and the clients 'cost down' as I offer a discount for my services when my affiliate link is used. That is only if the client receives full support from the developer! This is good business for all concerned!

        There have also been many developers that referred their customers to me directly for standard and special webmaster work since I know the themes so well. I am also a paid moderator in some developer's support forums.

        You could also offer access to webmasters that are specialists on the themes you sell utilizing your affiliate links. Just another way to monetize your website

        Hope this helps,

        Jeffery 100% :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve B
    To be very honest, Jeff, I wouldn't go to an affiliate site to find a theme. I would go directly to the source (Theme Forest, Elegant Themes, WordPress, Woo Themes, iThemes, StudioPress, etc).

    I think most folks would rather avoid the extra step of going through an affiliate to get to the "store" where they could sample demos, see examples, and make a purchase directly.

    I know there are affiliates recommending themes, but I personally like to go right to the source. I don't think most people look for themes by name. I think they go directly to the car lot where they can see what's available, kick a few tires, and take a test drive.

    Just my opinion . . .

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Gibson
      Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

      To be very honest, Jeff, I wouldn't go to an affiliate site to find a theme. I would go directly to the source (Theme Forest, Elegant Themes, WordPress, Woo Themes, iThemes, StudioPress, etc).

      I think most folks would rather avoid the extra step of going through an affiliate to get to the "store" where they could sample demos, see examples, and make a purchase directly.

      I know there are affiliates recommending themes, but I personally like to go right to the source. I don't think most people look for themes by name. I think they go directly to the car lot where they can see what's available, kick a few tires, and take a test drive.

      Just my opinion . . .

      Steve
      I respect your thoughts on this but we as IMers know that these affiliate sites are
      indeed affiliate sites but the average consumer has no idea. Im always asking coworkers and customers at my job what they do before purchasing items online and most say they type what they are looking for in Google and then visit review sites. 100% of those ive talked to had no idea that these websites made a commission when they clicked on those links. I believe sometimes we have to think like the average consumer and not like internet markerters. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve B
        Originally Posted by Jeff Gibson View Post

        I believe sometimes we have to think like the average consumer and not like internet markerters.
        Jeff,

        You are absolutely right and that's why I made the comment I did. I have nothing against affiliate sites per se. I don't begrudge an affiliate making a commission by referring his/her traffic to a seller.

        But in my opinion, web site themes do not fit the affiliate model as well as other products do, for the reasons I mentioned in my post. Part of the problem is the fact that there are millions of free themes available to dilute the selling space. In addition, seeing a screen shot of a theme is way different that being able to demo a theme on site. That's why I would always choose the source site over a referral site.

        Another bad thing about your proposed business model is that buyers, in my opinion, search on store names that sell themes rather than the theme names. In your example, Elegant Themes dot com is going to be the preferred search phrase as opposed to something you might offer like "review of Elegant Themes" or some other less exact phrase. And they will outrank you for those terms every time. This is a market where the big players rule.

        I would never try to stand in your way of creating whatever you want. You asked for opinions on the subject and I offered mine - I have no hidden agenda - I just think you ought to consider some points.

        The best to you in your business.

        Steve
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        • Profile picture of the author Jeff Gibson
          Originally Posted by Steve B View Post

          Jeff,

          You are absolutely right and that's why I made the comment I did. I have nothing against affiliate sites per se. I don't begrudge an affiliate making a commission by referring his/her traffic to a seller.

          But in my opinion, web site themes do not fit the affiliate model as well as other products do, for the reasons I mentioned in my post. Part of the problem is the fact that there are millions of free themes available to dilute the selling space. In addition, seeing a screen shot of a theme is way different that being able to demo a theme on site. That's why I would always choose the source site over a referral site.

          Another bad thing about your proposed business model is that buyers, in my opinion, search on store names that sell themes rather than the theme names. In your example, Elegant Themes dot com is going to be the preferred search phrase as opposed to something you might offer like "review of Elegant Themes" or some other less exact phrase. And they will outrank you for those terms every time. This is a market where the big players rule.

          I would never try to stand in your way of creating whatever you want. You asked for opinions on the subject and I offered mine - I have no hidden agenda - I just think you ought to consider some points.

          The best to you in your business.

          Steve

          Your points are well taken. I'm not trying to make my sole income from this, I have other affiliate sites and this is just another income stream. The great thing about working online with digital products is the low overhead and maintenance. You are correct about the vast amount of free themes out there.

          I was talking with a co-worker today and something that amazes me is that:

          1- People are bidding for and paying higher prices for Xbox one and PS4 games on ebay than they can buy new at Walmart
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
    Originally Posted by Jeff Gibson View Post

    I know that there are a lot of affiliates promoting WordPress Themes / Templates and I'm sure some are making a good income from it. Elegant Themes states that they pay out $1,000,000 a year to affiliates.

    I'm going to try my hand at creating an affiliate site that showcases WordPress Themes / Templates and so I would like your opinion on something. When you are searching for a WordPress theme and you visit an affiliate site, what layout did you encounter on one of those sites that caused you to stay on the site and view the themes that were presented and possible click through to the advertiser's site?

    Some affiliate sites I've seen have tried the "Google" like search engine approach. Some have just plastered thumbnail images over entire pages, some have used the "list style" approach with a description of the theme to the right of the thumbnail a lot of sites that are ranked high on Google use the blog post approach in which you have to just keep scrolling down to keep viewing the images.

    A. What layout have you seen that causes you to stay on the site and look around and possibly click on one of the links?

    B. Is there a layout that you haven't seen but think would be a nice for this type of site?

    Thanks for your time.
    Professional webmasters and internet marketers in the know do not consider the layout to be the most important aspect of reselling WordPress themes.

    For me and most the most important aspect is clean code!

    Now, when I know a theme developer always strives to provide clean code and I am concerned about the developers layout of the themes 'for sale' I focus on how the information is presented.

    Tip = Look at the most popular theme developer websites and model your own after the developers. Most have spent a lot of time, trial, and error to create the layout. Also, know that some of the layouts are custom coded.

    What works best for me and most developers is a WordPress website that sells WordPress themes. After all, customers feel better about the purchase.

    Hope this helps,

    Jeffery 100% :-)
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Gibson
      Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

      Professional webmasters and internet marketers in the know do not consider the layout to be the most important aspect of reselling WordPress themes.

      For me and most the most important aspect is clean code!

      Now, when I know a theme developer always strives to provide clean code and I am concerned about the developers layout of the themes 'for sale' I focus on how the information is presented.

      Tip = Look at the most popular theme developer websites and model your own after the developers. Most have spent a lot of time, trial, and error to create the layout. Also, know that some of the layouts are custom coded.

      What works best for me and most developers is a WordPress website that sells WordPress themes. After all, customers feel better about the purchase.

      Hope this helps,

      Jeffery 100% :-)
      Hey, great name

      I've seen some WordPress developers displaying their work with nice layouts
      but most of those are customed coded. Good point about making sure the
      developer will give support to customers who purchase through an affiliate.
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  • Profile picture of the author phil.wheatley
    Hey Mate

    Just my take on this having watched the affiliate scene change over the years. Often what can happen is if you are lucky enough to have an affiliate site take off, Google notices it and then sends it spiraling down the rankings. Not always, but quite often.

    Just a thought, but have you thought about creating (or getting created for you) your own Wordpress theme with all the great elements you've been asking about in this thread? ....then let others worry about promoting it for their commission??? Now, that's a realllll business.

    Good luck either way you go.
    Cheers
    Phil
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Gibson
      Originally Posted by phil.wheatley View Post

      Hey Mate

      Just my take on this having watched the affiliate scene change over the years. Often what can happen is if you are lucky enough to have an affiliate site take off, Google notices it and then sends it spiraling down the rankings. Not always, but quite often.

      Just a thought, but have you thought about creating (or getting created for you) your own Wordpress theme with all the great elements you've been asking about in this thread? ....then let others worry about promoting it for their commission??? Now, that's a realllll business.

      Good luck either way you go.
      Cheers
      Phil
      When searching for WordPress themes on Google, the first page usually has several sites that are affiliates in which many are not very organized or easy to navigate but I would assume they are making money since the general public has no idea what an affiliate is.

      Relying entirely on traffic from Google isn't the wisest decision. It's best to have several
      traffic sources.

      My main purpose of this thread is to get peoples experience and input
      on what site layouts they liked when viewing sites that displayed WordPress
      themes
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