New to forum

[LitePack]

Hello there.

I am looking for more information and suggestions on converting my personal outdoors site into something I could make a side income from. Or even if that is suggested.

Specifically interested in affiliate programs and any suggested programs that would work for my site http://www.litepack.com

If I could get it to pay for itself then that would free up more time ot update it.

[Linda Buquet]

LitePack,

Hi and welcome to the forums! You have a GREAT content site and several affiliate programs would compliment it and help you generate revenue. Sports, health, fitness are all good ones that would be a fit. Irvs Luggage one of my clients sells backpacks which would be great too.

Keep in mind that money does not roll in just because you add some links. You need to work on gnerating more targeted traffic. With an average conversion rate of 1% it takes a lot of visitors to make money. Then, you need to get a percentage of them to click through to the merchant and hopefully buy.

Text links convert better than banners and would fit in nicely with your site design. I would add a bank of well designed text links, sort of like adwords ads on the left and/or right side of each page. Then also at the top of targeted category pages and within the body content where appropriate. Think contextual advertising, like AdSense and place the right ads into the relevant content.

Hope this helps! Anyone else have any tips for LitePack?

[trogar]

The first suggestion I would make would be to look at your server logs and get an understanding for what kind of visitors come to your site BEFORE just dumping affiliate links on your pages. Although I agree with catalyst that the types of programs she mentions will work on your type of site, it also helps to understand your visitor's interests. Just because they frequent your site doesn't mean that the only thing they are intersted in is outdoors type things.

I offer the following thread with the post and links I referenced in it as a means to start before you put just any type of affiliate links on your site.

http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=11448

I hope this information helps you out LitePack. Welcome to the board. :o)

[LitePack]

I have worked with CJ.com before and saw no results.

Are there any suggested affiliate programs I should sign up for other than cj.com or should I just give cj.com another try?

Right now I am geting 3-4 hundred unique visitors a month with close to 7000 hits a month.

I have had as high as 1000 unique a month but I havent updated the site in sometime.

So you think I could make a side income off this site?


Thanks for the post so far.

[LitePack]

How does one go about getting the right affiliate programs for a site?

Meaning.... Where do I look to find quality affiliate programs that have to do with outdoors, outdoor cooking, gear, hiking, camping, etc?????

[telecomsource]

Greetings LitePack,

You can start your look for a quality affiliate program in your own back yard!

Businesses in your area would love to provide products for you to sell on consignment.

And, you'll be in control of the mark up.

Also keep in mind that "Less is More."

Your site is a marketing tool. And should keep the customers mind focused on what you have to offer.
http://www.ryze.com/pics/mJmoQJXKdeDB.jpeg

[Linda Buquet]

LitePack,

Most affiliate networks including CJ let you search for merchants by keyword.

[Chris - WSO]

Lets not overlook Linkshare.com too, a lot of good outdoor sites on that network.

From my own merchants I can't really offer much other than BBQs and Portable Wine and Drink kits for Picnics ;O) , I've got a limited merchant base in the outdoor area right now, unless someone does the whole experience from their car.

There's a site that sells Kayaks and stuff, Linda are they on SAS or where, can't remember? SAS I think.

Amazon is an obvious one, books on outdoors, hiking and the like.

Cheers

Chris

[john678]

To succeed with affiliate marketing, some of the main things that you need is a good looking site, and a lot of visitors.

You may also want to give Adsense a try aswell, that's if you don't already do so.

Another good affiliate network is ClixGalore as you can earn from most of their merchants by referring sales, clicks, and leads to their merchants.