WHY TRAINING ON E-COMMERCE STORES?
Based on queries from members that have responded to some of the comments I have made here on Wealthy Affiliate, I created this tutorial...Hopefully you find it useful and I and others are here to answer any questions you may add in the comment section about this topic...
Over time, more comments will be added and questions asked and answered. Some good and useful information may get buried in the thread, so take the time to read through the comments please, it will help you as you plan for your e-commerce shop...
BEGINNINGS
First, I think we can agree that Wealthy Affiliate members are here to learn how to make money online. As the name of the site suggests, much of the training here is focused on building affiliate income.
Because many of the same lessons and tactics from Wealthy Affiliate can be used for e-commerce as well, if you choose to go in this direction in addition to affiliate marketing, here is a guide that will help you get a solid start.
Even if you just want to increase income from your existing online affiliate marketing business, creating an ecommerce store is an excellent strategy to do just that.
E-Commerce is 100% one of the best ways to make significant money online. I daresay it is the future of online marketing and now is the time to get started! Bold claim you say? Yes, it sure is!
But read on to find out why I am confident in stating the e-commerce is the future...
Join the Discussion
philaccardo
Premium
Hi Dave:
I Have a couple of questions for you. Related to Subdomain which I think I prefer over a new domain:
Once I have created a subdomain for eCommerce, will I advertise that subdomain or will I advertise the main domain?
Can I call the subd. shop.mydomainname.com or myproducts.mydomainname.com
Is there a special way to link them together? Or are they just naturally linked?
Thanks again
Best
I Have a couple of questions for you. Related to Subdomain which I think I prefer over a new domain:
Once I have created a subdomain for eCommerce, will I advertise that subdomain or will I advertise the main domain?
Can I call the subd. shop.mydomainname.com or myproducts.mydomainname.com
Is there a special way to link them together? Or are they just naturally linked?
Thanks again
Best
Reply
DaveSw
Premium
Hi, Phil!...If you're looking to get prospects directly to your store, you can use either the sub-domain link as is, or if desired, and perhaps better, use a tool to change the link name to whatever best fits, i.e. a cloaked link...This way there will be no confusion...Certainly, you can link the two together through banners, ads, links within posts, etc. Cheers! Dave : )
philaccardo
Premium
DaveSw
Premium
Sure...
If you go to a link cloaking tool like bitly dot com (replace the "dot" with a period) you can then create a shortened link or a link that relates to where you are sending the person clicking on the link...
Have a look at the image and I have created a simple sample and screenshot to show you what I mean...
This screenshot I have here is what will come up after you click on create a link from the bitly home page and when type in the link you want to change...
In the screenshot, you see three arrows...
(1) The first at the top shoe the original link as created by bitly after you add the link you are trying to change/shorten...
(2) The second arrow points to what I want the link to look like...i.e. instead of the shortened url as shown in arrow one...
(3) The third points to the "create" button, which when I click on it will then create my cloaked link which will look like you see where arrow 2 points to...
My result would look like this:
...bitly/memories
Note that the free version of the bitly tool will NOT allow you to create a modified cloaked link, it will assign a random file name, as what you see at the first arrow of the screenshot...
There are however many options out there you can use for this, many of them free. I use a tracker pixel tool and it will do the same thing for me (this is a paid tool)...
If you do a simple google search you will see some - check them out and see which would work best for you...
In our case, since we are tracking what is happening with our sales campaigns and ads, pages, and websites, the tracking tool works well and the cloaking of links feature is just a plus as part of this tool...
The reasons for using this kind of tool are many...
The links look nicer in many cases, they fit better to the subject or content, they hide affiliate information when you are promoting something, and they create a better impression to the prospects...
To tell you the truth, I do not think you would have to cloak the link for your subdomain unless you wanted to make it look better somehow. You could create a cloaked link and test it with a link that is NOT cloaked to see which gets a better response from prospects, and then go with what works better...
Cheers! Dave
If you go to a link cloaking tool like bitly dot com (replace the "dot" with a period) you can then create a shortened link or a link that relates to where you are sending the person clicking on the link...
Have a look at the image and I have created a simple sample and screenshot to show you what I mean...
This screenshot I have here is what will come up after you click on create a link from the bitly home page and when type in the link you want to change...
In the screenshot, you see three arrows...
(1) The first at the top shoe the original link as created by bitly after you add the link you are trying to change/shorten...
(2) The second arrow points to what I want the link to look like...i.e. instead of the shortened url as shown in arrow one...
(3) The third points to the "create" button, which when I click on it will then create my cloaked link which will look like you see where arrow 2 points to...
My result would look like this:
...bitly/memories
Note that the free version of the bitly tool will NOT allow you to create a modified cloaked link, it will assign a random file name, as what you see at the first arrow of the screenshot...
There are however many options out there you can use for this, many of them free. I use a tracker pixel tool and it will do the same thing for me (this is a paid tool)...
If you do a simple google search you will see some - check them out and see which would work best for you...
In our case, since we are tracking what is happening with our sales campaigns and ads, pages, and websites, the tracking tool works well and the cloaking of links feature is just a plus as part of this tool...
The reasons for using this kind of tool are many...
The links look nicer in many cases, they fit better to the subject or content, they hide affiliate information when you are promoting something, and they create a better impression to the prospects...
To tell you the truth, I do not think you would have to cloak the link for your subdomain unless you wanted to make it look better somehow. You could create a cloaked link and test it with a link that is NOT cloaked to see which gets a better response from prospects, and then go with what works better...
Cheers! Dave
addgypsee83
Premium
good question! I would like to know this one too. Of course i haven't gotten to the part that I can have a sub domain for my store. even better.
philaccardo
Premium
Hi Dave:
please explain, this "If you did choose to move to this theme, the store that is created will ‘replace’ the website you already have."
Does this mean that you loose your original theme you chose to start with to create your store?
If this is the case, it doesnt matter what initial theme to install WP would be, Right?
In this case what initial theme would be better?
Also, you write:
"You might want to use a subdomain or a separate secondary domain for your shop and create a separate website, then link the two together rather than install the entire theme on your current blog website".
Where can I learn how to do that?
Thanks
Best
please explain, this "If you did choose to move to this theme, the store that is created will ‘replace’ the website you already have."
Does this mean that you loose your original theme you chose to start with to create your store?
If this is the case, it doesnt matter what initial theme to install WP would be, Right?
In this case what initial theme would be better?
Also, you write:
"You might want to use a subdomain or a separate secondary domain for your shop and create a separate website, then link the two together rather than install the entire theme on your current blog website".
Where can I learn how to do that?
Thanks
Best
DaveSw
Premium
Hu, Phil!
Thanks for the questions and let me get you some answers...
When you start a website using a domain and WordPress, the first installation will add automatically a couple of themes that come standard...
After you have uploaded the WooCommerce theme you can activate and then delete the unneeded themes. I would leave at least one so you can switch if you need to...
As you say, it really does not matter. I would likely add a second WooCommerce supported theme so the store would be up and running if you do have problems...
Keep it there as a back-up, it might save you losing down time if something happened with the main theme you use...Also, I would create entire site backups often, daily or more if possible...
On to the next question...How to set up a subdomain here using SiteRubix...There is some training if you check out this tutorial it will help you get it done - this works, by the way, I have set one up here in the past... How to set up a Sub-Domain. Live Walkthrough If you have any problems, just put a support ticket in (I had to as well because I was getting a specific theme set up and it required access from a third party)...The folks will help and quickly!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Thanks for the questions and let me get you some answers...
When you start a website using a domain and WordPress, the first installation will add automatically a couple of themes that come standard...
After you have uploaded the WooCommerce theme you can activate and then delete the unneeded themes. I would leave at least one so you can switch if you need to...
As you say, it really does not matter. I would likely add a second WooCommerce supported theme so the store would be up and running if you do have problems...
Keep it there as a back-up, it might save you losing down time if something happened with the main theme you use...Also, I would create entire site backups often, daily or more if possible...
On to the next question...How to set up a subdomain here using SiteRubix...There is some training if you check out this tutorial it will help you get it done - this works, by the way, I have set one up here in the past... How to set up a Sub-Domain. Live Walkthrough If you have any problems, just put a support ticket in (I had to as well because I was getting a specific theme set up and it required access from a third party)...The folks will help and quickly!
Cheers!
Dave : )
DaveSw
Premium
Not a problem at all...If you have more questions, drop them here, I do try to look in here regularly as possible! Cheers! Dave : )
karden
Premium
Dave,
Thanks for taking the time to create this training, you did an amazing job.
I do have a question, maybe you can help. I already have a Paypal account that was previously setup for personal use. Can I use the same account or do I have to create a Business Paypal Account?
Does it cost anything to setup Paypal Business Account?
I am also not sure if I have to setup a Braintree account also?
Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks for all your help it's much appreciated. :)
Ann & Alex
Thanks for taking the time to create this training, you did an amazing job.
I do have a question, maybe you can help. I already have a Paypal account that was previously setup for personal use. Can I use the same account or do I have to create a Business Paypal Account?
Does it cost anything to setup Paypal Business Account?
I am also not sure if I have to setup a Braintree account also?
Sorry for all the questions.
Thanks for all your help it's much appreciated. :)
Ann & Alex
Sophie5391
Premium Plus
Hi Dave, thank you for making this tutorial. i just added the woocommerce plug in, because of my theme it is active as a link, but is very easy to access from my web page. this may seem like a silly question but how do i verify where the funds go, once a client makes a purchase? i found the wording in the setting options a bit confusing, so i wanted to be sure before i added product.... thank you for your help:)
DaveSw
Premium
Hi, Sophie...
When you set up your payment routing system you should be able to check it out to make sure it is working properly. PayPal has a sandbox tool where you can test everything to make sure it is working properly...
If you are using another payment system, I would make a test order just to make sure it all is working OK...Maybe have a friend make the order, reimburse them, and you will know...
We used the second method when testing the Thailand operation out, but for Germany, we used the sandbox testing...Both worked well and we had the peace of mind that all was OK...
When you do this testing, you will also see that the email series is working properly (i,e, thank you and order confirmation, shipping confirmation, update messages, support, etc)...
It is all about the customer experience, and this is an important piece of that...We have also added a checkout process plugin, so the clients can see their progress as they go through checkout (we have to activate this after switching themes)...
Best of luck!
Cheers!
Dave : )
When you set up your payment routing system you should be able to check it out to make sure it is working properly. PayPal has a sandbox tool where you can test everything to make sure it is working properly...
If you are using another payment system, I would make a test order just to make sure it all is working OK...Maybe have a friend make the order, reimburse them, and you will know...
We used the second method when testing the Thailand operation out, but for Germany, we used the sandbox testing...Both worked well and we had the peace of mind that all was OK...
When you do this testing, you will also see that the email series is working properly (i,e, thank you and order confirmation, shipping confirmation, update messages, support, etc)...
It is all about the customer experience, and this is an important piece of that...We have also added a checkout process plugin, so the clients can see their progress as they go through checkout (we have to activate this after switching themes)...
Best of luck!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Sophie5391
Premium Plus
jvranjes
Premium
Dave, a few questions, again. I shall definitely use WooCommerce, so just trying to find a way.
Would it make sense using WooCommerce for selling Amazon stuff (as a start, for one site)? This means I would not need its all features, only some of them. Is there possibility to show updated price?
Product descriptions in such sites are usually short, so can one really rank with it? Earlier you replied to me by saying this was the usual SEO.
Are those pages or posts? If pages, there is a limit of pages in ordinary WP site menu (it is 80, know it for sure, I reached the limit once and could not continue, had to convert pages to posts). How is it with WC site?
Thank you in advance. Jovo
Would it make sense using WooCommerce for selling Amazon stuff (as a start, for one site)? This means I would not need its all features, only some of them. Is there possibility to show updated price?
Product descriptions in such sites are usually short, so can one really rank with it? Earlier you replied to me by saying this was the usual SEO.
Are those pages or posts? If pages, there is a limit of pages in ordinary WP site menu (it is 80, know it for sure, I reached the limit once and could not continue, had to convert pages to posts). How is it with WC site?
Thank you in advance. Jovo
DaveSw
Premium
Hi, Jovo...
Sorry so long to get back to you on your questions, I missed the notification I guess on my email....
I have not tried selling Amazon products using WooCommerce, but I do not see why not...
Here is an article that will give you some insight on options...
https://shopitpress.com/blog/woocommerce-setup/top-3-ways-to-integrate-your-woocommerce-store-with-ebay-and-amazon/
There are add-on plugins that will help you import the data I do know that...I just have not used them (I do not like the commission rates, I know they do build over time and can be significant, but...).
Regarding SEO, yes e-commerce stores typically have short descriptions and the keywords are in the title, the meta description, maybe the tags, and maybe the image information...
Maybe try to link a review article to the WooCommerce product page (not sure if this makes sense over sending directly to Amazon product page), maybe do some testing to see which works better?
On page limits so far no issue at all...We have 140 product pages and these have between a simple product with one item all the way up to 6/7 variations (size or color differences)...
We are in the process of adding an additional 160 items and some of these also have variations (i.e. T-Shirts) so at the end of the day, we will have almost 500 line items...
The other factor with this scenario is that we are adding German translation pages for each item too...That is a work in progress and each dau we are doing 4-5 pages...
With the auto translation tools such as Google Translate that the Chrome browser has, I am not sure this is worth the effort as of now - we will see (we are doing manually ourselves inhouse, after 4 external "experts" screwed the pooch badly for us)...
The WooCommerce product pages are also separate from the normal pages on the theme we use (all we have used to now too), and you manage these separately...There may also be a limit, but so far we have not run up against that (I believe I read somewhere that 500 was the magic number but not positive that is correct)...
I hope this is not too late to make any difference Jovo, and apologize again for taking so long to get back to you!
Cheers!
Dave : )
Sorry so long to get back to you on your questions, I missed the notification I guess on my email....
I have not tried selling Amazon products using WooCommerce, but I do not see why not...
Here is an article that will give you some insight on options...
https://shopitpress.com/blog/woocommerce-setup/top-3-ways-to-integrate-your-woocommerce-store-with-ebay-and-amazon/
There are add-on plugins that will help you import the data I do know that...I just have not used them (I do not like the commission rates, I know they do build over time and can be significant, but...).
Regarding SEO, yes e-commerce stores typically have short descriptions and the keywords are in the title, the meta description, maybe the tags, and maybe the image information...
Maybe try to link a review article to the WooCommerce product page (not sure if this makes sense over sending directly to Amazon product page), maybe do some testing to see which works better?
On page limits so far no issue at all...We have 140 product pages and these have between a simple product with one item all the way up to 6/7 variations (size or color differences)...
We are in the process of adding an additional 160 items and some of these also have variations (i.e. T-Shirts) so at the end of the day, we will have almost 500 line items...
The other factor with this scenario is that we are adding German translation pages for each item too...That is a work in progress and each dau we are doing 4-5 pages...
With the auto translation tools such as Google Translate that the Chrome browser has, I am not sure this is worth the effort as of now - we will see (we are doing manually ourselves inhouse, after 4 external "experts" screwed the pooch badly for us)...
The WooCommerce product pages are also separate from the normal pages on the theme we use (all we have used to now too), and you manage these separately...There may also be a limit, but so far we have not run up against that (I believe I read somewhere that 500 was the magic number but not positive that is correct)...
I hope this is not too late to make any difference Jovo, and apologize again for taking so long to get back to you!
Cheers!
Dave : )
