Monetization Should Be Part Of Your Niche Research

There have been a lot of posts here recently saying "I get x visitors each day - how do I monetize them?".

However I think this is backwards thinking.

In my experience it is best to take the time when researching a new niche to consider monetization as part of your overall research process. Take a look at the products. Find the affiliate programs. See what other people are doing. Find out what seems to be working well, the common problems and questions that people in your niche have (that you can help them solve).

You can then build presells, affiliate links, your own product etc. into your niche websites from the get-go. Even more so, you can create your site around those particular problems that you found, rather than just articles on the general topic.

So rather than perhaps building a website just about houseplants, you could build one around houseplant problems - pests, brown patches on leaves, lack of flowering etc. - and then weave your "solutions" into the text as an integral part.

In my experience, a website that aims to solve a particular problem, and has solutions that you can earn money from, is far easier to make money from than just a general information site into which you try to crowbar Adsense and affiliate links.

Oh, and don't just use your sidebars for adverts. Try to include your best presells and reviews into the body of your page - you'll garner more attention for your links and normally make far more sales that way.

All the best,
Richard