If you are building your website that is composed of at least 50 percent of content that is in a selling nature with affiliate links, you are not creating a helpful website. According to Google guidelines, "affiliate program content should form only a minor part of the content of your site".
Basically the content on your website as a whole should HELP your website visitors to make an informed decision for a purchase. You should not be trying to sell to your website visitors. Now I realize that may seem backwards when trying to make money, but would you buy from someone pushing a product on you?
PROMOTING WA AS AN EXAMPLE
To give you an example of what you should not do and what would be recommended in creating affiliate marketing content, I will use the example of a Boot Camp website. When I created my WA promotion website I wanted my visitors to see something a little different than a majority of Boot Camp sites.
If you are taking the Boot Camp courses you are given a guideline of how to create your own website, by following Kyle’s example. The problem here is that many do exactly what he does and do not change the format, making it different and unique.
In a nutshell we learn to promote WA by comparing it to other work from home online products, and to also do scam reviews of those so called competing products. This is a good format to follow but you must add to it and do something different.
What I do with my website is to offer additional ways other than WA, for my website readers to make money online from home. Does this steal away possible WA referrals? Maybe, but it HELPS my website readers to know that I am not constantly pushing them to join WA.
I do not create many scam reviews like many other WA promotional websites. I prefer to do only some review comparisons on the more popular programs. I also help people to understand that being successful online takes a lot of time and effort, that the process is not quick, thus helping them.
NEXT UP = How to create affiliate content that will get better Google rankings.Join the Discussion
deebse
Premium
Very useful article, I will save it when I start promoting my affiliate marketing, however I've created a gifts site, and anything I review has '5 ideas' or '10 ideas' of how to impress your mum, dad, girlfriend with unique ideas and I have no clue how can I do it without putting many affiliate links to it. Will have to think about it big time and find the solution. Thank you! Mike
Reply
boomergp08
Premium
deebse
Premium
Would love to do it but I have no idea how it would work and look for my customers when reading a review, can I send you a link to my website so you can have a look and maybe find some visual solution? I read nearly all of your trainings but still don't have an option how to sort this out. Im also trying to create rich content but when posting for example "gift basket for newborn" I have to add pictures, reviews and in the end- affiliate link and Im not sure how it would work out at one page with all links for either gifts for him/her/showers/ couples and gift baskets. Really appreciate your help.
Defiant6
Premium
I certainly do not put affiliate links in every post and if there are any in a post, it usually just is one or 2. I'm glad you talked about a website's focus should be on helping people instead of just making money or selling like you stated.
I think we all lose sight of this, myself included, as we all have dreams of the kind of money we would like to make with our website.
I certainly think I've lost sight of this as there has been so many changes at my day job, that I'm focusing on doing whatever I can to make money from my website instead of doing something to genuinely help people.
While my traffic is increasing, I've noticed my bounce rate is creeping up and session duration is going down plus it has been a VERY long time since I've gotten organic comments on my site vs requesting comments from here.
So while my traffic is going up, the traffic that is coming in seems to not find my content engaging or helpful even though I do keyword research. Maybe I just don't know my niche as well as I thought which is disheartening because I really do enjoy it, but maybe I don't know enough about it to truly create great and engaging content. Maybe I should make my content more personal like you've stated.
I think we all lose sight of this, myself included, as we all have dreams of the kind of money we would like to make with our website.
I certainly think I've lost sight of this as there has been so many changes at my day job, that I'm focusing on doing whatever I can to make money from my website instead of doing something to genuinely help people.
While my traffic is increasing, I've noticed my bounce rate is creeping up and session duration is going down plus it has been a VERY long time since I've gotten organic comments on my site vs requesting comments from here.
So while my traffic is going up, the traffic that is coming in seems to not find my content engaging or helpful even though I do keyword research. Maybe I just don't know my niche as well as I thought which is disheartening because I really do enjoy it, but maybe I don't know enough about it to truly create great and engaging content. Maybe I should make my content more personal like you've stated.
boomergp08
Premium
I believe this is a problem many people have with their affiliate marketing content. I know I had this problem when I first started. People do not realize or remember, that our websites are meant to help answer the questions people type into Google.
If we provide them with information and do it in a personal and engaging way, without selling to them all the time, people will want to spend more time on our websites and eventually will feel safe in buying from us.
But I understand that the pressures of life outside of our websites and the financial burden that it can cause, will make us want to sell instead of help first. We are all guilty of that at some point in time.
Just take a step back and return to the helpful nature of your niche. I do not think you need change niches, especially if you enjoy it. Just know that it takes time to build trust from your website readers and not selling to them will help.
If we provide them with information and do it in a personal and engaging way, without selling to them all the time, people will want to spend more time on our websites and eventually will feel safe in buying from us.
But I understand that the pressures of life outside of our websites and the financial burden that it can cause, will make us want to sell instead of help first. We are all guilty of that at some point in time.
Just take a step back and return to the helpful nature of your niche. I do not think you need change niches, especially if you enjoy it. Just know that it takes time to build trust from your website readers and not selling to them will help.
Defiant6
Premium
You know boomergrp08, I've been thinking a lot tonight about my niche and why I haven't made much money with it, or why I'm not getting people engaged (outside of WA) in my content. My website has been around close to 3 years now and I first started earning revenue from it last year thanks to AdSense, but it is very little and I did not have my first affiliate sale until very recently (I do have someone here at WA to thank for that).
I do have Google Alerts to follow new trends and things happening in my niche which I do post a lot about, I do keyword research and I also utilize the alphabet soup technique, but there is still just something missing and I think I may have figured out what is missing.
My niche is part of the broader video game niche, but I target a certain group of games in it that I enjoy the most. I will have to admit though, I just do not play games like I used to back a bit in my younger years, but I still do play them at times.
What is the one big thing popular though with home console gaming and PC games? Online multiplayer! Back in the last decade around 2005, I remember buying Microsoft's second game system known as the Xbox 360 and signing up for its online service known as Xbox Live. There were some games back then that I played online a lot and developed a great friends list where whenever we were online, we could connect and have great fun and talk about the crazy things we did in that game together.
That is something I know longer have done with today's games and systems and while I do play online at times, it is generally for short bursts and I really don't have a friends list or engage with other gamers online like I used to. I think it is time to start getting back into that to better understand my audience.
I do have Google Alerts to follow new trends and things happening in my niche which I do post a lot about, I do keyword research and I also utilize the alphabet soup technique, but there is still just something missing and I think I may have figured out what is missing.
My niche is part of the broader video game niche, but I target a certain group of games in it that I enjoy the most. I will have to admit though, I just do not play games like I used to back a bit in my younger years, but I still do play them at times.
What is the one big thing popular though with home console gaming and PC games? Online multiplayer! Back in the last decade around 2005, I remember buying Microsoft's second game system known as the Xbox 360 and signing up for its online service known as Xbox Live. There were some games back then that I played online a lot and developed a great friends list where whenever we were online, we could connect and have great fun and talk about the crazy things we did in that game together.
That is something I know longer have done with today's games and systems and while I do play online at times, it is generally for short bursts and I really don't have a friends list or engage with other gamers online like I used to. I think it is time to start getting back into that to better understand my audience.
boomergp08
Premium
Defiant6
Premium
I think that's what I'm struggling with on this particular niche. In the make money niche, people want to find a true legitimate way to make money online so it is easier to suggest a solution to that problem (which we know WA is that solution). People want to save money, but don't know the best ways to do it, so it easy to give them tips and tricks that have worked for yourself.
With the video game niche though, people just want to play games and don't necessarily want to pay money for a game guide anymore when there are many free places online to get that information if they get stuck in a game, but since they already have the game, then there's no need to tell them to go purchase it. It almost makes my reviews of games pointless because the people that really want the game already have it and they were determined to get it long before I posted a review about it because they've made the determination to pre-order the game.
I guess the best thing to do is to be a good source of information of upcoming games in specific niche in video games because the sooner they can get that information from me, maybe there's a good chance they'd be willing to buy or at least pre-order the game through me. Regardless, I still need to investigate and see if that's what my audience truly wants.
With the video game niche though, people just want to play games and don't necessarily want to pay money for a game guide anymore when there are many free places online to get that information if they get stuck in a game, but since they already have the game, then there's no need to tell them to go purchase it. It almost makes my reviews of games pointless because the people that really want the game already have it and they were determined to get it long before I posted a review about it because they've made the determination to pre-order the game.
I guess the best thing to do is to be a good source of information of upcoming games in specific niche in video games because the sooner they can get that information from me, maybe there's a good chance they'd be willing to buy or at least pre-order the game through me. Regardless, I still need to investigate and see if that's what my audience truly wants.
boomergp08
Premium
Doing reviews of games already on the market is not a good avenue to take if you want to make sales for the exact reasons you state.
If you want to only do game reviews it is always best to review games that are not yet on the market. Now this could be problematic unless you have access to pre-launch information.
Now if you were to do reviews of peripherals like flight sticks, steering wheels and pedals, gaming keyboard, gaming headsets, console repair options, and most things that are not centered on a particular type of game, you will have a better chance of making sales.
If you want to only do game reviews it is always best to review games that are not yet on the market. Now this could be problematic unless you have access to pre-launch information.
Now if you were to do reviews of peripherals like flight sticks, steering wheels and pedals, gaming keyboard, gaming headsets, console repair options, and most things that are not centered on a particular type of game, you will have a better chance of making sales.
Defiant6
Premium
I don't use a lot of peripherals, but I do see where you're coming from. I have 2 reviews on my site that do focus on something related to gaming.
I reviewed a wireless gaming headphone about a year or so ago and I also reviewed a television I used to use for gaming around that time. None of them produced sales, but they did get a lot of clicks.
I have a fairly new television now that is 4K and I could do a review of that and talk about how much better my games in that specific niche look compared to my last TV.
I guess I'm just going to have research, experiment/test until I find something that works.
I reviewed a wireless gaming headphone about a year or so ago and I also reviewed a television I used to use for gaming around that time. None of them produced sales, but they did get a lot of clicks.
I have a fairly new television now that is 4K and I could do a review of that and talk about how much better my games in that specific niche look compared to my last TV.
I guess I'm just going to have research, experiment/test until I find something that works.
boomergp08
Premium
One thing is for certain when it comes to the video game niche, more people will be interested in finding out what products will enhance their video gaming experience than the actual games themselves.
The reason for this is because not everyone will be into the type of game you are reviewing but they all will share a desire for a better gaming experience. Peripherals, headsets, TVs, monitors, and stuff like that always draw attention.
The reason for this is because not everyone will be into the type of game you are reviewing but they all will share a desire for a better gaming experience. Peripherals, headsets, TVs, monitors, and stuff like that always draw attention.
Defiant6
Premium
That does make sense. I do remember a while back where it was either you or another member who was talking about promoting products that can be related to your niche or enhance it.
I think it's time for me to do a review of my 4K television and talk about how it has improved my gaming experience visually.
I think it's time for me to do a review of my 4K television and talk about how it has improved my gaming experience visually.
J-KWest
Premium Plus
We definitely have to play by Google's rules, but...
It's ironic that, "Google Webmaster Guidelines for affiliate marketing websites says you are to provide original content that adds value to your website visitors"... applies to us, when the top spots on page 1 of Google belong to ads. It's okay for them to "run a business" and make a profit, but they don't look to kindly on affiliate marketers for doing the same.
Sorry, just had to through that out there :-D.
Thanks for the training, very helpful. Always appreciated.
Jay
It's ironic that, "Google Webmaster Guidelines for affiliate marketing websites says you are to provide original content that adds value to your website visitors"... applies to us, when the top spots on page 1 of Google belong to ads. It's okay for them to "run a business" and make a profit, but they don't look to kindly on affiliate marketers for doing the same.
Sorry, just had to through that out there :-D.
Thanks for the training, very helpful. Always appreciated.
Jay
boomergp08
Premium
You are welcome Jay.
Those top spots you are talking about are not part of the organic Google search rankings. Ads will sometimes appear at the top based on your query but those are paid ads.
Google position 1 appears below any ads that are posted. So if you are ranked in the top spot and there are ads above you, your post is still ranked as number 1.
Those top spots you are talking about are not part of the organic Google search rankings. Ads will sometimes appear at the top based on your query but those are paid ads.
Google position 1 appears below any ads that are posted. So if you are ranked in the top spot and there are ads above you, your post is still ranked as number 1.
J-KWest
Premium Plus
Oh, yes of course... what I meant to say was, those ads are Google's "version" of affiliate links. Google has no problem putting those ads (links) on the top of their page and making money every time someone clicks them. But when we put links on our site that make money, it's a different story.
boomergp08
Premium
BobZeiss
Premium
I was beginning to worry about the length of time it was taking to get my website going but that is because I was concentrating on helpul info. But I realise that this a lot more time consuming than just banging up a few pages with lots of affiliate links and little useful or origininal content. Your training really helps me out and gives me the confidence to push on. Based on what you have said I have already made some small but important adjustments..
Thanks Rob
Bob Zeiss
Thanks Rob
Bob Zeiss
boomergp08
Premium
davegcol
Premium
Thanks! The more clarity on Google the better. Quality content is always going to outperform in the long wrong, than short tricks of google. A quick anecdote - When I first started, my website had zero authority and I used to share my blog posts across Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+. At the time if I searched the exact title of the post, the Google+ share would be pretty high up (higher than my site), which made me laugh. It got me wondering if Adsense on my site would also increase my ranking. Turns out that it apparently has no effect.
boomergp08
Premium
You are welcome Dave. With all of the Google rules and guidelines it is always good to get better clarity on them. This is one of the reasons I did this training tutorial.
As for seeing your Google+ shared post ranking higher in Google than your actual post, that was nothing more than a visual treat from Google to you. No one else would see that same result. You saw it because you were currently logged into Google.
And no, having Google AdSense on your website will not help to increase your website rankings. Only writing and providing a lot of helpful quality content with low competition keywords, like that which is taught here within WA, will lead to better rankings.
As for seeing your Google+ shared post ranking higher in Google than your actual post, that was nothing more than a visual treat from Google to you. No one else would see that same result. You saw it because you were currently logged into Google.
And no, having Google AdSense on your website will not help to increase your website rankings. Only writing and providing a lot of helpful quality content with low competition keywords, like that which is taught here within WA, will lead to better rankings.
davegcol
Premium
Thanks Boomer. That makes more sense! - Learning as I go, but enjoying the ride.
boomergp08
Premium
