Advertising Success Online

It is easy for me to tell you that you need to
track the success of your online advertising. It
is also easy for me to tell you that you must do
so in order to know which of your advertising
is helping you to make a profit, to break even,
or to break the bank. Far too many advertisers
get caught in the online money pits in an effort
to develop their online business.

Don't Be Afraid

I also know that when I say these things, some
people get spooked. People get spooked because
although they might run an online business, they
may not understand the technology that keeps
their business running.

Let’s face it.

More people are learning how to design and
develop their own web pages. In fact, software has
been created to help them do so rather easily.

But when it comes down to the more complex
technologies such as web logs, database
technology, and web programming, most people
just freeze up and fail to make an informed
decision.

Some will turn to a programmer with hopes that a
programmer could save their online business, and
many will get burned by their personal
programmers. When a programmer burns a webmaster,
the cost can be very high. And at the end of the
day, the programmer may leave the webmaster with
a broken web site.

The only real choices left to most webmasters is
to learn how to install pre-made scripts on their
own, or to keep their websites technologically
simple. *Technologically simple* often fails to
help the webmaster find the success that he or
she so fervently desires.

The Nature of Pre-Made Scripts

Web software is often very simple in its
installation, so the webmaster really should not
fear it.

All one needs to install their own pre-made web
scripts (software) is an online web site file
manager or optional FTP software. They will also
need the ability to change the *permissions* on
the files on their web server.

When downloading scripts for installation on your
server, the file may come in .zip, .tar, or .gz
format. Each of these are variations on the
compressed / zipped file format. There are
many utilities available for unzipping files. One
such utility is WinZip which can be found at:
http://www.winzip.com

Most scripts, once downloaded and unzipped, may
appear in text format with extensions such as
.php, .cgi, .pl or .cfg.

Most of these files can be read as plain text in
an application like NotePad. Occasionally, the
file will be in a binary format which cannot be
read with a text editor.

The files which can be read in a text editor are
often written in the Perl or PHP programming
languages.

While most of the scripting will seem like
Chinese to you, you will be able to pick out
certain sections that can be read and understood
easily.

If the application also contains a .cfg file,
this is your configuration file that can usually
be changed to reflect your own personal needs or
desires for the operation of the software.

Next Step, Upload The Files To
Your Server

Most of these web applications will have a
readme.txt file included with it. If it does,
please read it. If it does not, don’t worry, this
section is for you.

You must upload the files to your server as plain
text. If you are using FTP to upload the files,
then you must tell your software to upload the
files in ASCII format. If you are using your web
file manager, then the files will automatically
upload correctly.

Once the file is on your server, then you must
change the file permissions.

Files with the extensions .php, .cgi, or .pl are
executable files and there permissions must be
set to 755. Files with the extensions .cfg, .txt,
or .html must have their permissions set to 644.
Files and folders that will be written to must
have their permissions set to 777. Files with no
extensions can be classified as any of the above,
so check the readme.txt file.

755 defines an executable file. 644 defines a
read-only file. And 777 defines a writable file.

Once the files are on your server and the
permissions are set correctly, the application
you have placed on your server should work for
you just fine.

Locating Pre-Made Site Tracking Scripts

Probably one of the best resources for locating
pre-made scripts is:
http://www.cgi-resources.com

If after reading this article you still fear the
task of installing a pre-made script on your
server, then you might seriously consider
remotely hosted site tracking software. If
you opt for this route, be sure to buy the pro
version of the software offered. If you don’t
choose the paid version, you might find your own
competitors having access to your site tracking
data! That should not be an acceptable option to
you.

The Purpose of Site Tracking

With site tracking software running on your
server, you can review how many people came to
your website and what URL’s they might have used
to find your website. You can also see where your
visitors have come from, when they came, how long
they were on your site, at what page they entered
and left your site, and much more.

This is the kind of information that will help
you to determine with some certainty how
effective your advertising is and how profitable
your advertising can be.

Operating without tracking data is tantamount to
operating a business with the intent purpose of
failing.

I truly want you to succeed with your online
business. I know deep down in my heart that the
more people who find success online, the greater
my own chances for remaining profitable over
the long haul. *A rising tide floats all ships.*

David Hudson, webmaster of webcashlink,
business articles author, and a super affiliate,
can help you with your online business.
Visit: Webcashlink

Multiple Streams of Income Keep Your Business Steady

Multiple Streams of Income

If you were investing in the stock market, you would
diversify your portfolio. It makes sense; that way, if
a stock falls, you don’t lose everything. Well, the
same logic applies to online businesses. You don’t
want to keep all of your eggs in one basket. What
happens if people stop visiting your blog for a week,
which happens to be your only source of income? You
don’t make any money that week. But if you had other
business ventures in place, the money would keep
rolling in. Having multiple streams of income can help
you make a consistent living.

Dedicate Time Every Day

You should establish multiple streams of income early
in your online business career. When you’re first
starting out, don’t just register for one opportunity.
Register for three or four, and dedicate time every
day to each one. Your objective during the beginning
of your career should be to build up these three of
four opportunities so that they flourish at the same
time and establish your multiple streams of income and
form a solid income base. Once you have three or four
streams of income up and running, you can begin to
branch out and explore new options, increasing the
number of streams you have.

Don’t Take On More Than You Can Handle

The more streams of income you have, the better. That
way, if one of them goes out of business or fails for
whatever reason, you have plenty of other ventures to
pick up the slack. At the same time, don’t take on
more streams than you can handle. You shouldn’t be
forced to sacrifice an established venture for a new
one. If you make a conscious decision to do so for a
larger income potential, that’s great, but don’t put
yourself in a position where you are forced to make
sacrifices.

Your Multiple Streams of Income Should
Work Together

Instead, find ways to make your multiple streams of
income work together. They do need to remain separate,
so if one of them fails, it won’t drag the others down
with it. But as long as you make sure they do not rely
on one another, they can be used to enhance each
other. For example, if you are in charge of a site
that sells nature photography, you can and should
include your affiliate marketing links on the site.
Just make sure that the photographs are the way the
site makes most of its money, not the affiliate
marketing. Likewise, make sure that your affiliate
marketing is making money for you on other sites.
Having multiple streams of income can protect you and
allow you to make more money with each venture.

Follow A Schedule

If you’re not careful, having multiple streams of
income can get out of control and leave you struggling
to keep up with all of your ventures. To avoid this
business catastrophe, make sure that you follow a
schedule. Spend one hour each day writing in your
blog, then an hour finding new affiliate marketing
links, then two hours writing articles for an online
site, and finish up the day with two hours of filling
photograph orders. You have to be able to keep track
of your multiple streams of income and devote the
appropriate amount of time to each. If they get out of
control, then you’ll stop making money and may as well
just go back to the office. If that happens, not only
will you drop from multiple streams of income to one,
but you won’t be able to work at home, which is every
online entrepreneur’s dream.

David Hudson, webmaster of webcashlink,
business articles author, and a successful affiliate,
can help you with your online business.
Visit: Webcashlink

Multiply Your Sales Through Affiliate Marketing

What could be better than exceeding your personal
sales goals for a given month or year? How about
doubling, tripling, or quadrupling your sales goal for
the month? This is exactly what affiliates can do for
you.

Growth Potential

The amount of growth potential through affiliates
is unlimited. The more affiliates you have, the more
money you can make. Consider Sam Walton trying to run
every Wal-Mart store alone. He obviously wouldn’t be
very successful. You must realize that maximum growth
you can’t be done alone. Think of the success of
companies such as Avon or Home Interiors. Their
success is based on two things: great products and
excellent affiliate programs.

Attracting Affiliates

To attract affiliates to your company you should make
it worth their time. Offering one percent of sales is
not an attractive offer. The higher the commission you
are able to offer your affiliates, the more affiliates
will be tempted to join your team. You should also
provide your affiliates with the tools they will need
to successfully market all of your products, such as
banner ads, articles, and anything else that will help
them to better market the product. You should provide
the affiliates with updated product information
through newsletters, new promotional campaigns and
etcetera to motivate and inform the affiliates.

Types of Affiliate Programs

You can choose to run your affiliate program in two
different ways, both of which are beneficial to your
business. A one-tier affiliate program allows you to
generally offer a larger commission and pays on one
level. The affiliate will receive a predetermined
amount for each sale. The other, a two-tier affiliate
program, pays affiliates on two different levels. This
is done by allowing affiliates to recruit others to
sell under them. In this situation, the top level
affiliate would receive a slightly larger commission
than the recruit or second level affiliate. For
example, if your company pays out 20% on a particular
product, the 1st level would earn 15% and the second
5%.

Get A Great Start in Affiliate Marketing Here



How To Set Up Your Affiliate Marketing Program

Setting up the affiliate program can also be done two
different ways. One way is to do it yourself through
an affiliate tracking software. This software will
provide you with a way to track affiliate sales as
well as allow the affiliates to view their own
progress. The downside to this option is that you are
responsible for making payments. You can also choose
to hire an affiliate tracking company to do all the
work for you. These companies will allow the use of
credit cards and completely run the affiliate program
from billing customers, paying affiliates, and also
paying you. This is a great option for the busy
business owner or the beginning business owner. It is
also very affordable, as most affiliate tracking
companies only charge a small one time fee. However
you choose to run your affiliate program, it is sure
to increase profits for your business.


David Hudson, webmaster of webcashlink,
business articles author, and a successful affiliate,
can help you with your online business.
Visit: Webcashlink

Affiliate Marketing: Turn Your Blog Into Cash

So your home business blog is doing pretty well.
Hundreds or thousands of visitors flock to your site
each day, dedicated readers who return nightly to
absorb your profound wisdom on life, foreign policy
and the human condition. They’re receiving your
priceless insights into the world, and you’re not
making a dime. All that hard work isn’t doing anything
for you except maybe making you feel good about
enlightening the world, but come on! There’s got to be
a way to also benefit financially from all your hard
work.

It’s Called Affiliate Marketing.

Simply put, affiliate marketing is a partnership with
other websites. You put a link on your site to their
site and get paid for each click, registration and
sale. If you use affiliate marketing well, you can
generate a high Return on Investment (ROI) with
respect to the amount of time and effort invested in
your home business blog. Used poorly, however,
affiliate marketing can just be a waste of space on
your site. Here are some tips on how to use affiliate
marketing as more than placeholders.

Make The Links Relevant.

Your readers come to your blog for a reason. They come
to read about your exploits in the jungles of South
America or your forays into the vicious world of
international politics. Chances are readers in these
areas aren’t going to want to go to a site selling
Barney toys. Things they might be interested in are
products that will save the jungles of South America
or a book about an international diplomat. You don’t
have to totally exclude the random Barney toys,
because maybe some tree-huggers are into Barney, but
make sure that most of your affiliate marketing links
are related to your content. Users will be more likely
to click them.

Imbed Links.

If you just discovered a great charity for saving the
jungles of South America that has an affiliate
marketing program, include the link in the body of one
of your articles. Links on the side can get lost by
resized windows or ignored completely as useless
advertisements. Anything within an article, however,
will be read and considered, because the author of the
article, whose opinion the reader respects, feels that
the other site is useful or worthwhile. The reader
will be more likely to visit the link, and you’ll be
more likely to make money.

Change The Links.

This is especially important if you have a returning
user base. If your affiliate marketing links never
change, people will not go to them because they will
be old news. Always be on the lookout for new
affiliate marketing opportunities that you can take
advantage of. New links will add mystery and intrigue
to your site. Users will be more likely to notice
changes than to let the links simply fade into the
background.

Make Your Text Exciting and Inviting.

Most people aren’t going to click on a button that
says ‘Click here.’ Other than pure curiosity, which
admittedly should never be ruled out, there is no
incentive for users to follow these directions. “Save
the South American Jungle From Certain Slaughter” has
a much more enticing ring to it, what with the
alliteration and all, and is sure to get your tree
hugging audience interested. Along the same lines of
interesting and exciting, whenever possible include
some kind of picture or banner with the links. A list
of blue underlined words on the left hand side of a
page is tough to wade through; a banner with a forest
fire draws immediate attention, and drawing attention
to your links should be the goal of any affiliate
marketing plan.

Don’t Rule Out Unpaid Opportunities.

Some affiliate marketing programs are simply an
exchange of links, a ‘you link to me, I’ll link to
you’ deal. While these don’t directly make you money,
they do increase traffic to your site, and increased
traffic means more money. While your marketing plan
obviously can’t be using all this kind, they can be
useful in boosting traffic, and through traffic,
revenue.

David Hudson, webmaster of webcashlink,
business articles author, and a successful affiliate,
can help you with your online business.
Visit: Webcashlink