Affiliate Marketing and the Right Time to Monetize your Websites
Affiliate Marketing, Webmaster/Website Optimization Do-Follow CommentsBy, JR
I recently saw a post in a forum where the guy was going on and on about how affiliates should wait until they have substantial traffic before monetizing their niche sites for online income and he was talking about waiting up to 6 months or until such time that there is some “perfect traffic/visitor number” to add affiliate links.
In fact, his way of thinking has been the school of thought among many in the affiliate marketing world. The logic behind this strategy is that, you build up great content that will lure loyal readers/visitors in droves, and once there is “enough loyal traffic” it will facilitate lots of sales and online income via commissions for the affiliate, then you add your monetization such as, affiliate links, banners, text link ads…etc.
6 Months??!!?…..Yeah Right!
Now, I don’t know about you, but I completely disagree. If you want to make a good online income then you can and should monetize your sites right from the beginning. The Key is Balance.
There are many who make the mistake of not adding enough enticing content to niche websites, and overloading on the monetization. We’ve all seen those sites, where there is more adsense and banners than written word, or you have to swim through endless ads just to get to the content.
The monetization should COMPLIMENT the content, not the other way around. Also, you may want to start out with little monetazation, and slowly increase over time.
Yes content is crucial, and content will keep visitors on your site but, having monetazation around that will NOT hurt you in any way, that content will still build visitor loyalty, those visitors will still return and the more loyal returning traffic you have, the more money you are likely to make, but once again, you can still work on that as a goal through building great content and still monetize at the same time!
And, what about all the visitors that WON’T RETURN? Those that just wanted some quick information, or something specific that your site has to offer? How many sales have been missed waiting for that “perfect time”? This is the reason we work our asses off, isn’t it?
Another important point is the testing and tweaking. As your site evolves and grows it is important to test your affiliate/sales ads, links and all monetazation venues you are using. Test what works what doesn’t, placement, type of ads etc…
Change it up every so often, add text links ads instead of banners to see how they perform, move Adsense to another part of the page. Often this type of analysis is what can propeller you to the next level of success and NOT waiting to monetize.
I think, there is one venue where waiting to monetize may apply and that is blogging. If you are building a blog, then the theory of waiting to monetize and “loyal visitors” may apply, depending on the blog’s niche of course.
Blogs are different than static websites because they are updated often, content is added over time and the subscription option gives some assurance that readers will return. In this case, the content/posts are the main catalyst to sales, because most readers of blogs are there primarily for those and so if they like what their getting a strong loyalty and trust for the blogger is then built. But, I still would not wait 6 months to monetize, that’s WAY too long!
The bottom line? I WANT TO GET PAID for my hard work, stress and sleepless nights ASAP! 
It is a fact that most affiliates give up if they do not see at least one sale as a reward for their efforts and a sign that affiliate marketing does work fairly soon after starting their business.
To wait 6 months????!!!!!! I don’t think so!
What do you guys think? Did you monetize right away? Did you wait? Do you think it makes a difference?
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August 28th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
With super affiliate internet marketing , you receive commissions through leads, sales or acquisitions.
Business Schools last blog post..Learning to Relax at Work
August 28th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I think waiting 6 months is BS myself. I agree with you completely, I would not want to miss out for the people that will visit one time and never again. I think as long as the content keeps coming most people do not fear ad’s.
Home Business Mom Taras last blog post..WAHM Blog Update
August 29th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Dude,
I totally agree! I’ve run into quite a few people (probably the same forum!) who insist that you should wait. Wait for what??? I heard it was at least 100 visitors a day. Bah!
I think you add monetization when it’s right for you! Most people are searching for information and they are in the mindset to buy when they come to your website. Being an affiliate of a program that offers the visitor even more information just makes good sense. “If they buy, they buy”.
I think the point you’ve made about balance is good, too. You don’t want to be obnoxious about it. Just offer it where and when it makes sense.
Good article, thanks!
Eunice
Simple internet strategiess last blog post..Aug 28, Website Marketing Strategy - Building Your List!
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Great post. I have done everything together, as you have suggested. I would also agree with you, however, that you do not want to err on the side of too much advertising. I would much rather have my content lead, and I am somewhat choosy about which specific ads I put up, because I want those ads to serve those who I am writing to, rather than just be about making money for my site. It is more blessed to give to those I am writing for, than to receive. As counterintuitive as it might seem, it’s true!
JR reply on September 3rd, 2008 3:52 pm:
@ Success
You are completely right, your strategy is one that is sound and optimal for monetizing. Welcome to the blog, I hope to interact with you more often!
September 14th, 2008 at 4:04 am
You will earn the fruits of your labor depending on how you work to get it.
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