Online marketing by Paul Mardy

I recently spoke with Vitali Lutz about building websites on WordPress in the modern web, and I asked him if it is still a solid choice for an affiliate website. He told me that WordPress is one of the most flexible options available, and it's free.

He is right, of course. However, we need to establish whether WordPress is always the right choice for websites, especially affiliate niche sites.

The situation here becomes nuanced very quickly.

I usually create static websites based on HTMLy or other very lightweight CMSs. These offer both blazingly fast load times and plenty of configuration options to optimize the website for any niche and project.

However, the problem is that they are still very minimal, and thus lack the flexibility we are used to when using flagship solutions like Drupal, WordPress and similar systems.

WordPress for niche sites

I'm building affiliate sites. Usually very small ones. Before starting such a project, I plan the content and size of the site before even beginning the technical process of buying web hosting and a domain and installing a CMS.

Throughout planning comes always first!

Many niche sites are based on WordPress. This is not surprising, because WordPress powers almost 40% of websites on the web. Either WordPress is that good, or the promotion and recommendation of the system is excellent — I would say both.

In most cases, WordPress shines thanks to its flexibility.

I don’t really know how big my next project will be. You could end up creating hundreds of posts despite planning to create only 20 or 50. This often happens when a site proves to attract traffic and needs to be expanded to increase its profitability.

Its flexibility comes from the huge number of free plugins and themes available. Once you have installed them, simply select the right plugins for your site and give it a professional design by choosing a suitable theme, and you're ready to start creating content.

Building a website with WordPress is no rocket science.

The loss of lightness

Flexibility comes at a price when it comes to website builders. Take a look at how complex Wix and other website builders are under the hood.

The more flexibility you need, the more features need to be implemented.

The whole thing becomes heavier.

The same applies to WordPress. Building a site of up to five static pages can definitely be done without WordPress. That's my strong opinion. Just build static sites or pick a lightweight flat file CMS, and you're good to go.

WordPress is currently over 10 times heavier than when it reached version 1.0 in 2007. Just imagine how much more code has been included, and how much more RAM and server resources it needs to work properly today.

People don't see this.

They only see the convenience of publishing their next masterpiece with as few clicks as possible. They don’t care about the technology behind the website. Furthermore, they just want it to work the way they need it to.

Conclusion

To conclude, the web is now very mature, and there is always a better alternative. I’m not saying that WordPress is a bad thing. I just want to say that it depends on the kind of project whether it makes sense to use WordPress or not.

If you want to build something without knowing how big it will become, it's better to pick a tool like WordPress for the site. It scales nicely with any size of the website.

However, for very small niche sites, I would recommend picking a lightweight CMS or building the whole thing using HTML, JavaScript and CSS files.

Myths about affiliate marketing are appealing. Those unfamiliar with the system are prone to believing that it can make them wealthy overnight. Stories about affiliates earning tremendous amounts of money swim in their heads. While these stories are true, some believe they will have the same fortune once they engage in this business.

Affiliate marketing can be financially rewarding.

Those who have worked tirelessly to succeed in this business are reaping the rewards. Many of them enjoy a lifestyle that would not have been possible under ordinary circumstances. Having gone through the A-Z of affiliate marketing, however, these people know that, while the business is lucrative, there is no such thing as easy money.

Ignorance of this fact is one of the main reasons people fail miserably in internet businesses.

Some believe myths about the easy money involved in systems such as affiliate marketing. They don't know that many people have wasted time, effort, and resources trying to pursue the easy life they think this business will provide. They go into affiliate marketing armed with nothing but myths and fantastical notions of wealth, unaware that they are bound to make mistakes that will lead to their downfall.

Why are many called but few chosen in businesses such as affiliate marketing?

Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that many affiliates make mistakes due to their lack of knowledge about how the business operates. Affiliate marketing involves more than just promoting a merchant's products on a website and getting paid for it.

It also involves understanding the market and customers.

Understanding the most common mistakes affiliates make can dispel myths about affiliate marketing and correct misconceptions. This information could also help those involved understand that, like any other business, there are dos and don'ts involved if they want to make each step count.

1. The first common mistake affiliates make is their lack of knowledge about marketing products in particular. Since affiliate marketing involves advertising, advertising on the internet would not be possible without the right marketing strategies and tools.

2. Second, affiliates often clutter their money sites with banners and external links, which distract visitors from taking the desired action. Customers need to understand a product's features, and good content can help them do so. There should be no distractions around the content.

3. Third, some affiliates make the mistake of promoting only one product. Consequently, customers are not given enough options. There is also a risk of generating fewer sales compared to offering more options for customers to consider. It is better to offer a few high-quality alternatives than to offer only one.

4. Fourth, some affiliates make the mistake of promoting too many products. As a result, customers are overwhelmed and end up not making a choice. It may be best to give them only the best choices. Ultimately, it is up to customers to decide which product is best for them.

Affiliates who do not exert enough effort to understand their industry are doomed to fail. Taking things step by step will benefit them because there is no other way to succeed than to go through any path slowly but surely.

It took me years to learn the right way to do affiliate marketing.

Today, it's easier because a lot of information about how to be successful as an affiliate marketing is provided for free on the internet. Other information is hidden behind comprehensive but well-structured success programs, like those of Affiliness.

The fact is, the information is out there; you just need to find it and use it appropriately.

Affiliate marketing is much easier now with the internet at your disposal. It's much easier now than in the days when people had to use telephones and other media to get updates on their programs.

Assuming the affiliate works from home, a typical day would look something like this:

After waking up and having breakfast, they turn on the computer to check for any new developments in their business. Has new commission been earned overnight? Great! It's a good way to start the day with productivity in mind.

The marketer may have new updates and statistics to track. If something is broken, let's fix it right away so we can focus our affiliate time on more important things, like marketing ASAP!

When using a website to generate traffic or sales, its health must be checked. Marketers know that a well-functioning site is key to earning commissions, especially if it is the initial point of contact with potential buyers and commission generators.

The affiliate marketer remembers that there are questions from visitors that need answering. This must be done quickly. Nothing turns off a customer more than an unanswered email.

To prove that the affiliate is working effectively and efficiently, more attention must be paid to inquiries. Nobody wants to be ignored, and customers are not always the most patient people. The answer should be quick yet professional and friendly.

As an affiliate, your main job is marketing, so there is not always a need to serve customers. The product providers handle the customers. However, it all depends on how you market those products. Some affiliates actively consult with potential buyers and must therefore deal with customers directly.

You see, affiliate marketing is a flexible business model. It can quickly pull you into the role of a salesperson and product consultant.

While completing all the necessary tasks, the marketer logs on to a chat room where they interact with other affiliates and individuals in the same program. There, they can discuss the best ways to promote their products.

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Tip: Affiliates need to exchange ideas with each other to discover new trends and strategies. The Affiliness community is a good place to interact with other affiliates.

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There is always something new to learn, and it is an ongoing process. Sharing tips and advice is a good way to show support. Others may be enticed to join by the ongoing discussion. There's no harm in exploring future opportunities.

The newsletters and ezines were updated days ago, so it's time for affiliate marketers to see what's new in the market. This will be written about in the marketer's publication, which will be distributed to old and new customers.

These publications are also an important tool for keeping up to date with newly introduced products. The marketer has started a sale and promotion that customers may be interested in. They also have to keep up with the deadlines for these sales written in the publications.

Now is the time to show appreciation to those who helped the marketer with promotions and increasing sales. Nothing beats mentioning the people, their sites, and the processes that made everything work.

This will, of course, be published in the newsletters. It may also be posted on the blog or on social media, as affiliates are usually very active on social media. Social media is a very strong marketing channel that can be used for free to drive sales.

Time flies. I missed lunch, but I'm quite content with the tasks I've completed. A day of an affiliate marketer is busy.

• The most time is spent on marketing, which takes up about 50% of the workday.
• 25% percent goes to checking and monitoring the running affiliate business.
• Another 25 percent is spent on finding ideas, communicating with other marketers and potential revenue opportunities, and other business-related tasks.

Okay, so this may not all be done in one day. But it gives you an idea of how a dedicated affiliate marketer spends the day.

Who said affiliate marketing is easy? It certainly wasn't me...

When you research ways to make money online, you will discover many opportunities, one of which is affiliate marketing. It is easy to learn, and it is highly scalable. The more time and effort you put in, the more money you will earn as an affiliate.

So, you're considering running free internet ads? It's a good idea, as there are plenty of free advertising methods on the internet, and many of them can be used to generate results, such as subscriptions and sales. However, don't expect miracles when working with free ads, as this form of advertising is very time-consuming and costly, since your time has value. In many cases, paid advertising makes more sense for small business owners.

For years, internet banner advertising has dominated the World Wide Web because it has helped companies save money while expanding their reach. Banner advertising plays a major role in online marketing, and many individuals and companies have purchased these inexpensive internet banner ads. Some have used it for financial gain, while others don't know what to do with it.

For most people, owning a business is a dream come true. The freedom that comes with being your own boss and succeeding to the best of your ability are facts of life for small business owners. Of course, it's more stressful than you probably imagined when creating your grand plans, but with a little strategy and planning, you can overcome any tough spot. Successful marketers have developed seven tactics that will make your business as successful as theirs.

One of the most challenging presentations is the entrepreneurial pitch. You have a great business idea and want someone to invest in it. The problem is that venture capitalists, angel investors, and even your rich uncle are predisposed against you. Why?

What if you took the time to create a marketing plan, but now you're so busy servicing your current clients that you're having a hard time staying on track? Is it okay to set the plan aside for a while? After all, you have enough business to keep you busy. Besides, you're not sure if you could handle additional clients right now anyway.

When I say "eliminate", I mean find a way to minimize the number of competitors directly competing with you. It's worth it to completely specialize your offerings and separate your business from the competition, even if the product is similar, so no one can compare you to them.