A few years ago I decided that I wanted to start my own business online. At the time it was difficult to find information on what you needed to actually get started because everything seemed so overwhelming. So I spent some time researching different ways to build a website, but then came across an article about affiliate marketing. It explained exactly what I needed to know and made me feel much more comfortable starting out.
I had no idea where to start when it comes to creating content or even which blogging platform would be right for me. After doing quite a bit of research into this topic I have finally found the perfect solution! Below are several questions I asked myself while trying to figure out which one will work best for me.
Most bloggers don't make millions (yet) but they can definitely earn enough from their sites to live comfortably off without working a day job. There are many different methods available including selling your own products, hosting other people's products as affiliates, advertising, paid ads, sponsored posts, etc., all of which fall under affiliate marketing. If you're not familiar with what affiliate marketing entails, here's a quick overview.
Affiliates market another company's product by linking back to them on their site. When someone purchases the item through the link the affiliate gets credit for sales they generated. This means if you sell $100 worth of items, you'll only need to pay the affiliate commission once for each sale (usually around 5 percent). But there are also other benefits like being able to track statistics and see performance over time. Plus, since you aren't directly promoting any specific brand/product yourself, you won't have to worry about getting banned from certain networks. That said, it's important to note that just because something isn't illegal doesn't mean it's ethical either. You should always consult with your legal team before making any major decisions regarding your marketing strategy.
In addition to using affiliate commissions there are plenty of opportunities to make extra income outside of your main business. For example, if you write articles on topics related to your niche, you could share those articles with others who want to learn more about that subject matter (and hopefully purchase your products too!). Or maybe you decide to offer services such as web design or SEO consulting. And let's not forget to mention things like YouTube channels, podcasting, vlogging, social media sharing, and more. Just keep in mind that these options require additional effort and resources to grow beyond writing articles and posting videos.
The key point is to focus on providing value rather than simply trying to push your own products. In order to succeed at affiliate marketing you must understand why people buy and try to help solve problems that come up along the way. Ultimately this kind of approach results in better conversions and higher revenue compared to traditional direct-sales marketing.
If you've never created a blog before it might seem intimidating at first. However, there are tons of free tools and resources available online to help you get started. One of the easiest places to begin is WordPress.com. They charge nothing upfront and provide lots of helpful tools to assist you during setup. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up a new account with WordPress.com.
Once you've got that part down, there are two basic types of affiliate marketers: solo entrepreneurs and companies. As far as solo affiliates go, you'll likely want to stick with WordPress because it offers the widest range of plugins plus its ease of use makes it very accessible. With a little practice, anyone can become a good writer and eventually turn their passion into a profitable career.
As for bigger brands, the best option may be to partner up with a larger network that specializes in running affiliate programs. These are usually big names that allow smaller partners to join forces in exchange for giving away a percentage of the profits. Some popular ones include Amazon Associates, Commission Junction, LinkShare, ShareASale, and Pepperjam. Each has pros and cons depending on whether you'd prefer to work independently versus having access to thousands of potential customers.
You can also explore other less common options. For instance, Shopify allows you to host your own ecommerce store for a fraction of what you'd spend elsewhere. Then there's Patreon which pays creators monthly based on how engaged fans are with their content. The list goes on and on...it really depends on your goals. What matters most is finding the right mix between autonomy and support.
It seems every blogger wants to claim that they make "millions" per year. While it's true that some bloggers earn substantial sums of cash through their websites, it's extremely rare. Most bloggers end up earning somewhere between $1-$10k per month. Of course, that number varies widely depending on how well known you are and how dedicated you are to your craft. Also, you shouldn't expect to make a huge amount of money overnight. Successful bloggers often take months or longer to reach profitability.
However, if you can consistently publish high quality content and attract targeted traffic, you can definitely earn a decent living. To put it bluntly, if you're willing to invest the time it takes to produce amazing content, promote it effectively, and develop relationships with people interested in your field, you stand a chance at becoming financially independent.
There's no doubt that content writers make the most money. Their ability to generate leads, drive traffic, and convert readers into buyers gives them a distinct advantage when it comes to generating profit. However, there are still plenty of opportunities open to everyone else.
For starters, consider creating your own physical products instead of relying solely on digital goods. Not sure where to begin? Check out our post about turning your hobby into a full blown side hustle. Another great opportunity is to offer professional advice. Whether you specialize in personal finance, parenting, nutrition, health & fitness, home decorating, beauty, DIY projects, or anything else imaginable, you can potentially teach hundreds or thousands of people how to achieve success in their respective fields. Lastly, if you enjoy cooking or baking, you can easily turn your kitchen skills into a lucrative endeavor.
Keep in mind though that none of these suggestions involve hard sells or cold emails. Instead, you'll rely heavily on social media and word of mouth referrals. By leveraging your existing connections and reaching out to people who already trust you, you'll soon discover that other people are eager to hear what you have to say. Once you get the hang of it, you can literally run your own show.
Finally, remember that there are countless opportunities for you to monetize your passions. Don't limit yourself to just one method of making money. Instead, diversify your efforts so that you can maximize your chances of long term financial success.
Building an online business can be hard work. Not only do you need to find a profitable niche market (and that’s not always easy), but also having your own website or blog is vital if you want to build a sustainable income stream from it.
If you don't have the time or resources to set up your own site, there's another option out there - becoming an affiliate marketer. Rather than promoting products directly on your site, as many people do, you promote other businesses' products instead. That way, they get all the sales benefits while you just earn commission!
Affiliate marketing has become one of the hottest ways to generate passive income online over the past few years. It offers several advantages over traditional methods such as selling eBooks and courses. For example, affiliate marketers often enjoy higher commissions and better conversion rates. They also tend to receive more attention from their potential customers because they're acting like regular internet users themselves, rather than trying to sell something new to them.
But which blogging platform should you use when starting off your own blog? There are plenty of options available today, so let's take a look at what each one has to offer and how they compare against each other. We'll start by looking at some popular free options before moving onto paid ones.
In this article I'm going to focus solely on running an affiliate blog. If you already have your own personal website then feel free to skip ahead to the next section.
For those who aren't familiar with affiliate marketing, here's a brief explanation. You sign up with an affiliate program provider, usually through a third party company called an "affiliate network." When someone purchases a product via your link, you get rewarded with a percentage of its price. This amount depends on the terms of your agreement with that particular vendor, but typically ranges between 3% and 20%.
There are countless affiliate networks out there, offering different types of products ranging from household goods to digital services. Some of the biggest names include Amazon, eBay, Rakuten, Commission Junction, Linkshare, Paypal, Shopify, and others.
The great thing about being an affiliate marketer is that once you've signed up for an account with a given network you can run campaigns without needing to worry about hosting costs yourself. All you have to do is post relevant links to whatever content you think will interest readers. Then sit back and wait until somebody clicks through and buys the product you linked to.
Here are some things to keep in mind when considering whether or not to pursue this line of work. First, there are some drawbacks. Many affiliates struggle to achieve success due to low click-through rates. So much so that many affiliate vendors now require publishers to pay upfront fees to join their networks.
That said, there are still opportunities to succeed even without paying these fees. Even though you might spend more initially setting everything up, it makes sense financially overall. Your earnings would increase if you were able to drive traffic towards your affiliate links and turn them into conversions. And since you won't be spending any money on advertising, you could potentially reap greater rewards from your efforts.
Another reason why affiliate marketing may be worthwhile is because it allows you to tap into multiple niches within the same industry. By creating valuable content related to topics you know well, you can target specific audiences interested in them. Plus, you can try out various strategies and learn from mistakes along the way.
It's also important to note that unlike many other forms of online income, you don't actually need to purchase anything to benefit from affiliate marketing. You simply need to provide a useful resource that helps people solve problems, answer questions, or share knowledge. As long as you write good quality articles, you can attract visitors who end up buying the recommended product(s).
Finally, we mustn't forget that affiliate marketing isn't limited to blogs alone. In fact, some companies prefer to partner with influencers with large followings on social media sites like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc., where consumers trust them implicitly. These individuals can sometimes help boost your visibility among targeted audiences.
So, is affiliate marketing worth pursuing? Absolutely. But remember that it takes a lot of effort and dedication to see results. To maximize profits, you'll probably need to put in around 40 hours per week writing original posts, researching trending topics, optimizing your content for SEO purposes, and managing ads throughout your site. Once you reach a certain level of expertise however, you can expect to cut down on this workload considerably.
Choosing the right platform to host your blog is crucial for achieving optimal performance. After all, no matter how effective your content is, nobody wants to visit a site full of broken images, slow loading speeds, and poor design. Fortunately, there are dozens of choices out there. Let's explore some of the major players below.
WordPress.com -- WordPress is far and away the number 1 choice for beginners and hobbyists alike. Its open source software lets anyone easily customize the look and functionality of their site. While it doesn't come cheap ($19/year) compared to competitors, it does give you access to tons of plugins and themes that allow you to add advanced features to your blog quickly. Additionally, Wordpress powers nearly 30 percent of all active websites worldwide.
Wix.com -- Wix is similar to Squarespace in that it provides a drag-and-drop editor and templates for quick page setup. However, Wix also comes with built-in analytics tools that track visitor behavior, allowing you to optimize your site accordingly. Another big plus is that you don't need to install any additional apps to edit your pages. Instead, you can use your browser to update your site whenever you'd like. Overall, Wix boasts a 99.5% uptime guarantee and 24/7 customer support.
Blogger.com -- Built specifically for non-techies, Blogger was originally designed to cater to students and educators. Today, it remains popular amongst everyday webmasters thanks to its ease of use and simple template system. One downside is that Blogger lacks certain advanced features found elsewhere. Also, it doesn't integrate well with Google Analytics and AdSense, two of the most powerful monetization solutions available today.
Medium.com -- Medium is arguably the most versatile blogging platform out there. Thanks to its unique publishing model, writers can distribute their works across numerous mediums including text, audio, video, graphics, and interactive elements. Users can read and comment on pieces posted by other authors too. What really sets Medium apart, however, is its ability to connect readers and creators based on shared interests.
Tumblr.com -- Tumblr is known for being a fun place to hang out and express your creativity. With millions of registered accounts, it's a perfect place to showcase your photos, videos, music, art, and thoughts. Unfortunately, Tumblr's interface is notoriously difficult to navigate. On top of that, it currently lacks advanced editing capabilities like HTML code and CSS styling. All in all, it's certainly not ideal for serious bloggers hoping to grow their audience.
Typepad.com -- Typepad combines simplicity with power. Writers can publish anywhere on the site, from single sentences to entire books, using both Markdown and rich formatting styles. Furthermore, it's compatible with almost every CMS available today, making it possible to effortlessly switch between them. Finally, Typepad integrates seamlessly with Gmail, giving you direct access to your inboxes wherever you go.
Once you've chosen the right platform for your blog, you'll need to decide which type of blog style suits you best. Below are a few popular options to consider.
Blogging Platforms for Beginners
These are the easiest options for people who want to jump straight in and start posting immediately. Most of them include basic blogging features like categories, commenting systems, tags, privacy settings, etc.
Hubspot -- HubSpot is considered by many to be the leading blogging platform for professionals. Its intuitive dashboard includes everything from contact management to lead capture to email automation. At $20/month, it's the least expensive option available.
Ghost Blog -- Ghost uses a minimalist approach to blogging. Posts appear automatically, and you can manage your content directly from the frontend. No technical experience required either.
Weebly Blog -- Similar to Ghost, Weebly Blog is incredibly user friendly. Like Ghost, it relies entirely upon prewritten blocks for customization. Unlike HubSpot, all of the options are accessible via the backend.
Blogs for Professional Use
Most professional bloggers opt for hosted solutions like WordPress, Wix, and Medium. Here are three reasons why.
Hosted Solutions Offer More Advanced Features
With a hosted solution, you can do things like import RSS feeds, incorporate custom coding languages, embed multimedia files, and more. Since most of these features are made available through plug-ins, you can use whichever ones suit your needs.
They Provide Better Security & Stability
Blogging has become one of the most popular ways to share your opinions on the internet today. However, many people are still not sure which blogging platform is right for them or if they should even use it at all. If you’re looking to start a new blog but don't know where to begin, this article will help you figure out what type of blog would be best suited for your niche and goals.
It's important to note that there aren't any hard rules when deciding whether or not to write a blog about something. This decision comes down to personal preference, as well as your audience. In general, content creators who have specific audiences tend to favor more established blogs over smaller ones, while those working from home may prefer less structured outlets like YouTube channels or Facebook pages. It also depends on the topic itself, so let me go into some specifics below!
If you're just starting out with blogging, I recommend checking out several different options before making a final choice. Not only does this give you an idea of which style works best for you personally, but it helps you understand the ins-and-outs of each platform better. Once you've decided upon a few sites that interest you, you can move forward with signing up for a hosting account and creating your own website.
The answer to this question largely varies depending on the niche and audience. There are plenty of options available, ranging from simple text posts to videos. Some common types include infographics (which require technical knowledge), guides (such as ebooks or step-by-step tutorials) and podcasts (audio recordings).
For example, if you wanted to write about veganism, you could either publish recipes, nutritional information, or tips on living ethically within that lifestyle. You might also consider writing articles on topics such as healthy eating habits, animal welfare, environmental issues, etc., and using your expertise to help others. Regardless of subject matter, you'll want to avoid promoting products directly because you won't likely earn enough money to cover costs. Instead, focus on sharing useful information instead.
You will need to find a way to monetize your work though, since no one likes advertisements everywhere they look. One option is to join an affiliate program through a company like Amazon or PayPal, where you promote their product or service alongside yours. Another possibility is to sign up for a membership site, where you sell subscriptions to memberships. These websites typically offer high commissions, meaning you can easily earn thousands per month without having to invest too much time or effort in order to get started.
Keep in mind that affiliate marketing requires patience, especially early on. Successful affiliates usually have years of experience under their belt, and often take months to see real results. Even then, it takes quite a bit of dedication to keep your readers engaged and interested until you hit paydirt. To maximize profits, try to build relationships with other bloggers in your field by commenting on relevant content, following them on social media, and occasionally offering guest post opportunities.
This really depends on the size of your target audience and the amount of traffic you receive daily. For instance, if you were planning to write about the latest health trends, you'd probably attract more attention than someone trying to teach you how to cook delicious meals. A lot of factors come into play here, including your level of skill, the quality of your original material, and overall popularity.
However, if you were to write about cooking, you'd definitely stand a chance of earning decent income. On the other hand, if you were going after a more business-oriented audience, you wouldn't expect to make nearly as much. That said, it's possible to earn anywhere between $100-$10,000+ per year with little to no investment.
There are two main categories of free blogs: self hosted and WordPress plugins. Self-hosted allows users to control everything themselves, whereas WordPress plugins allow you to customize your theme, add functionality, and set up various monetization methods. Both options generally cost around $20/month, although self-hosting usually offers additional benefits such as being able to delete unwanted files, install updates automatically, and access advanced features.
I highly suggest learning how to code yourself, however. It gives you full control and lets you decide exactly how your site looks and functions. Plus, it makes things easier if you ever plan on expanding your brand into another medium later on. Unfortunately, coding skills aren't required to run a basic blog, which means it's easy to learn on your own terms.
WordPress is arguably the easiest blogging software to use, and you can quickly launch a blog in minutes. Since its user base is massive and growing every day, it's very unlikely anyone will notice your presence unless you specifically market yourself. Although it doesn't provide as many customization options as paid services, you can always add extra themes and plug-ins to enhance your site further. Other great alternatives include Medium, Tumblr, and SquareSpace.
On average, we estimate that roughly 80% of online publishers generate revenue via advertising, 20% through selling merchandise, 1% through subscription fees, and 0.1% through donations. While these numbers vary widely based on industry and niche, it's safe to say that most successful blogs fall somewhere in that range.
Of course, none of us knows whether our particular blog will eventually turn profitable. But, knowing the basics above will help you determine whether blogging is right for you—or if maybe you should stick to something else entirely. And once you're ready to dive into the world of blogging, check out my guide on choosing the perfect host for your domain name.
1. WordPress
WordPress was founded by Matt Mullenweg in 2003 and since then its popularity among bloggers across the world has skyrocketed. Not only that, but the number of sites using Wordpress as their content management system (CMS) continues to grow.
Why does WordPress have such high usage rates? It's open-source software meaning anyone can edit the code and modify how things work.
It also comes with loads of plugins which allow users to add extra features into the site without having to write any code themselves.
The admin panel allows you to easily manage every aspect of your website including writing posts, managing comments, images etc.
You can create custom themes and plugins allowing you to customize Wordpress beyond compare.
There are thousands of templates available online, making it easy to find something that matches your style.
If you run a business or need a place to host multiple websites, there are plans available from companies like Bluehost.
Pros of WordPress
Free – There aren’t any hidden costs when using Wordpress so you won’t ever feel pressured to upgrade your plan once you get started
Easy to Use - You can learn everything about wordpress within minutes after installing it onto your computer
Thousands of Plugins Available – With over 30k+ plugins available, finding exactly what you want is never an issue
Customization Options – Creating unique designs for each page on your site is easy thanks to the customization options offered through your dashboard
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.