|
In addition to the resources you can check out through the above links we have compiled a short list of eBooks you may wish to invest in. This is not a long list as it’s intended to represent what we consider to be the best value for money at this time. The Internet is a fast moving environment and new eBooks are published everyday. We’ve selected eBooks we have ourselves that we know are a very good build on what UK Affiliate Gold is introducing you to. Here are our recommendations with a brief explanations as to why we chose each book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a very recent book so it has a wealth of latest thinking in it. Chris also provides an update site where he posts new findings so this investment is protected from all but the most radical changes that may hit net trading. The book is a “how to” and not just another internet marketer telling you what you should do and then not showing you how!
|
|
|
|
|
This is a brand new release, and one of the best-put-together and most useful ebooks read all year. It shows you a very simple way of making money through affiliate programs and "Google Adsense" ads through the creation of simply constructed theme-based websites. The author takes you through his precise technique of finding high-demand, low competition niches you can exploit and he has already researched 70 ready-and-waiting topic niches and put together a precise blueprint for each niche.
|
|
|
|
|
This is a FREE eBook. This is positioned as a 10 day course to becoming a high earning affiliate champion. It’s a good book to have because it does cover all the bases. And of course it’s FREE. Use the link to SiteSell’s home page. Scroll down and locate a boxed set of resources on the left. One of these will be “Affiliate Masters” under a heading of SiteSell University. While you’re there you should look at what SiteSell offer.
|
|
|
Analysis Resources
Wordtracker - this is the benchmark when it comes to services that help you pinpoint high use low competition keywords and search terms. You have to pay for this but it’s a drop in the ocean when you’re making good money online. This service is also a big time saver.
Overture Keyword Suggestion Tool - this is a free service provided by Overture. This is an adequate tool when you’re just getting started. As you build the volume of your advertising and the number of products you’re promoting this service will become too time consuming. Then switch to Wordtracker. If you have some money just get Wordtracker from the outset.
Overture Maximum Bid Tool - this is a free service and it will tell you what advertisers are prepared to pay to get high placings for specific search terms. Consider the same comments made about the keyword suggestion tool. As you do more this service will be too time consuming. You will switch to Wordtracker.
Adword Analyzer - this is such a great tool and is very new so for the time being not everyone has it. This tool tells you how many other competing ads there are for the keywords you want to use. This is different to how many times a term is searched for. This is actually telling you if you will have any competition, and how much you will have to pay to compete. Very powerful stuff indeed.
WordSpot - this is a service that produces a regular keyword newsletter. This will highlight trends but not really much more. It’s still useful though.
Yahoo Buzz Index - this is a ranking that’s produced by Yahoo. This particular link will take you to the report that’s specific to Yahoo UK & Ireland. Yahoo usefully produces the same tables for all country specific Yahoo services.
[Return to category listing]
ADNet International
The Online Marketing Letter - this link will take you to the promotional page for this newsletter. This specific newsletter is produced by Jonathan Mizel and has been going since 1993. Needless to say he speaks from a position of experience. Well worth the investment.
Net Profits: How To Win The Internet Game - his link will take you to the promotional page for this combined eBook and audio training course, produced by Declan Dunn. Although it is not the latest product you can get it is one I have in my library and I still refer to it.
Winning The Affiliate Game - this link will take you to the promotion page for this eBook, authored by Declan Dunn. This has been an excellent book but you need to be prepared to accept that it needs an update. Consider this after you’ve invested in other more recent resources. It’s worth just to ensure you have the complete picture.
Right On The Money - this link will take you to the promotional page for this eBook, authored by Patrick Anderson and Michael Henderson. All updates are now provide by Michael as Patrick has retired. There are updates posted regularly for this book so it keeps in step with changes. This is worth getting if you want to go down the online store route.
[Return to category listing]
Advertising Resources
Pay Per Click Services
Google Adwords - this is the pay per click service run by Google. With Google enjoying over 35% of all search enquiries it’s inconceivable that you wouldn’t do some advertising on Google. Google Ads appear to right of standard search listings.
Overture - this is where you can register for an advertisers account on Overture. This link will take you to the UK site.
PayPerClickSearchEngines - this is a listing of every pay per click search engine you can think of. It’s not clear how often it’s maintained but it certainly lists a lot of obscure search engines. It also lists a whole set of UK based services. It’s impossible to vouch for its completeness or accuracy but it is interesting.
General note; there are many many search engines. If you advertise using Google Adwords and Overture you will reach close to 80% of all internet users. If you promote a particularly niche product then it may make sense to advertise in specific pay per click search engines but to start you need go no further than Google and Overture. We included PayPerClickSeachEngines because they do provide a long list of other search engines so the link is there if you feel you need to promote in specific places.
eZine Directories
Directory Of Ezines - this is a comprehensive and well maintained global directory of eZines and newsletters. There are free resources as well as a fee based subscription service.
Ezine Hub - another directory that’s maintained daily. Has over 5000 listed and has a helpful structure and search facility.
eZINESearch - and another useful and extensive directory of eZines. This one is laid out so you can instantly see how many eZines are listed in different categories which is useful when you need to target specific markets.
Other Services
Daily Classifieds - This is a UK based service that will place a range of advertisements for you. This is a place to go when you’ve acquired more experience with advertising in PPC search engines and eZines. You also need to make sure you’re confident with whatever tracking solution(s) you’ve adopted.
[Return to category listing]
Affiliate Program Providers (APPs)
APPs are effectively intermediaries. They run affiliate programs for product owners and distributors. The good thing about any of the APPs listed below is that they are highly reputable. In other words you are assured that you will get your commission, which is the most important thing for an affiliate.
ClickBank - This is THE APP for digital products. You will instantly see just how many potential products there are to promote, across a range of interests. If you have a spare £60 you might consider investing in an eBook called “Under Oath” by Stephen A. Pearce. He explains how he finds strong products to promote that very few people have yet been exposed to. Don’t be put of by the slightly rambling nature of his writing style. There are some real nuggets in the book.
Commission Junction (UK) - this is the UK focused site of Commission Junction (CJ). CJ manage the affiliate programs for companies who have physical products to sell. Their clients in the UK include eBay UK, Marbles, Barclaycard, Expedia UK and Comet.
Commission Junction (Main Site) - this is the main site of Commission Junction (CJ). In practice this means it has a predominantly US focus. CJ manage the affiliate programs for companies who have physical products to sell. Their clients include eBay, eBags, USA Today, The New York Times, MSN and Yahoo. Their are many smaller niche product owners and distributors to choose from over and above the bigger names.
AssociatePrograms - this is a good site for affiliates because it has a simple approach. It provides commentary on what’s happening as well as listing a range of affiliate programs to consider registering for.
Be Free (Europe) - Similar in concept to Commission Junction. This is the European focused site. Be Free deal with product owners and distributors who use affiliate marketing as an extension of their marketing strategies. Companies who are represented by Be Free include British Airways, Home Shopping Network, LastMinute.com and Timberland.
Be Free (Main) - This link takes you to Be Free’s main site. Similar in concept to Commission Junction. Be Free deal with product owners and distributors who use affiliate marketing as an extension of their marketing strategies.
[Return to category listing]
Autoresponder Services
GetResponse - This is where we started. It’s a hosted service. It has a free version which was our starting point. We then progressed to the fee based version. We no longer use this as our primary autoresponder as we elected to purchase AutoresponsePlus and install it in our web space
AWeber - this is a widely used subscription based service. A free option used to be offered but this has been replaced with a 30 day trial. The popularity of this service may reduce with the withdrawal of the free option.
AutoresponsePlus (ARP) - this is an autoresponder that you install in your web space. ARP is a highly regarded autoresponder that keeps getting better. It’s a one-time purchase (except major new version releases) and is not expensive. We use it and we can recommend it but it’s not something you should consider as your first autoresponder. Use the free hosted services first so you can then get the most of the way you set-up ARP. You can only do this if you have some experience of using an autoresponder.
PromaSoft - this is a windows based autoresponder. It runs on your PC so the limitation is that some of the tasks only work if you are connected to the internet. This is a good product and is very user friendly. Like AutoresponsePlus, it’s a one-time purchase so you avoid ongoing monthly subscription fees.
Ultimate Marketers Resource - this is used by Alannah Moore so we thought we’d include it as another option. This is more than an autoresponder.
[Return to category listing]
General Trading Resources
The UK Trader - if you want to quickly find a source of whole products in the UK then this is a must. You will have to subscribe but the fee is easily recouped through the time saved in finding quality wholesalers.
The US Trader - this site has been published by the same person who created The UK Trader, which came first. Similar to The UK Trader but obviously focused on US wholesale sources.
MMP Warehouse - we include this link because we use this drop shipping wholesale service as a source for specific products that we offer through our HealthWealthandLifestyles business. Apart from the physical shipping of product we do have to process orders through to taking payment and then instructing MMP where to ship product to. MMP charge a joining fee to use their drop shipping service. MMP have a very comprehensive range of products with some very impressive brands such as Nike, Jeep, Swiss Army and others. Are we happy with this service? It could be slicker when it comes to us entering orders but it works.
About - this is a good site for many reasons. This link will take you directly to a directory page about drop shipping. If you don’t know what drop shipping really is then you’ll find resources at this site that will educate you on drop shipping. If you know what drop shipping is but you get frustrated by the conflicting information that’s out there about this trading trend then this site will help you.
[Return to category listing]
Hosting Services
1&1 - this is who we use so by definition we must be happy. They offer a very wide range of packages and include a good selection of software and services to get you started.
General note; If you use a paid ISP service you will more than likely have a certain amount of web space allocated to you. Good ISP packages will give you around 100 MB and at least four email addresses. This type of arrangement can offer a feasible starting point. Our ISP is Tiscali and they offer dial-up services from £4.99 through to broadband services from £19.99. We have been so impressed with Tiscali that we’ve become one of their Independent Business Associates. If you wish to check out all their deals then simply click here.
[Return to category listing]
Online Store Solutions
There are literally hundreds of store solutions, some richer in features than others. If you don’t have an internet merchant account then you need to look for a solution that has credit card processing built in to the overall service. Having an internet merchant account gives you a lot of flexibility but you will either pay for the privilage or be made to jump through some hoops before you’re granted one by a financial institution. This is what makes Vstore an affiliates dream because payment processing is taken care of for you. Sadly, you can no longer get a Vstore if you’re outside the US. An alternative to Vstore is CafePress. It’s a similar principle but the product range is limited. They do allow international accounts. A link is provided below.
Vstore - this link will take you to the promotional page for Vstore. They no longer allow international accounts so it’s not possible to set up a Vstore unless you have a US address so this link is here so you can see Vstore in the flesh, so to speak. If you want to check out a live store in operation then click here to go to Toys4Less. A similar service to Vstore is CafePress and they do allow international accounts.
CafePress - a similar arrangement to Vstore. They do allow international accounts and they are generally progressive in their approach. The same drawbacks apply to CafePress as do Vstore. They’re US based so realistically your customers will largely come from the US. Importantly the service is free.
eBay Shops - this link will take you to the eBay page where you can find out more about eBay Shops. eBay is an auction provider and eBay Shops are essentially an extension of their auction activities. This has not stopped people seeing the extended possibilities that eBay Shops offer.
1ShoppingCart - this link will take you to a shopping cart service that is very popular with many internet marketers. You can choose to try it out for a month and then start paying anything from £12 up to £60 a month for a hosted store solution. It needs to be stressed that 1ShoppingCart is more than a website builder. It also includes payment facilities and an all important autoresponder capability. Not surprisingly you will pay top price for all the advanced services that you’ll eventually want.
[Return to category listing]
Payment Services
PayPal - PayPal is the world's largest online payment service, with over 4,000,000 businesses and 31 million members in 38 countries around the world. You WILL need a PayPal account because more and more APPs are using PayPal as commission payment channel. This link will take you to where you can register for your FREE account.
NOCHEX - this link will take you to the NOCHEX home page. NOCHEX is similar to PayPal except that it serves the UK. If you choose to use UK auction sites as a channel for advertising then a NOCHEX account will be useful. Like PayPal it’s free to obtain an account.
Protx - this link will take you to our Merchant Payment Gateway provider. You will need to secure the services of a card handler like Protx if you want to process card payments through your own site. If you use a service like 1ShoppingCart then this type of arrangement is not necessary.
WorldPay - this link will take you to another Merchant Payment Gateway provider, similar to Protx. WorldPay offer extended services which include a Website and shopping cart solution. These are hosted solutions and so you will be faced with monthly subscription fees. We don’t think this is a sensible route if you wish to operate purely as an affiliate but we’ve included the link so you can see what other services exist.
Valis - this link will take you to a site where you can obtain a range of legitimate US based financial and corporate facilities that are normally only available to US residents and US companies. As far as we know Valis are the only company that has managed to establish arrangements with a Federal Bank to allow non US residents and companies to establish US chequing accounts. For affiliates based outside the US this means affiliate programs that pay by cheque (and quite a lot still do) are less of a frustration. You will be able to deposit your commission cheques (at no charge, other than postage) into your US cheque account and then draw money through an ATM card (worldwide) at a charge of $2.50 per transaction. This is even a way of reducing the fee that PayPal and other online payment providers levy if you withdraw money to a non-US bank account.
[Return to category listing]
Tracking Solutions
Adminder (Adtracker) - this is the main tool we use for general ad tracking. It can be applied to any type of online, and even offline, ad campaign.
Hypertracker - another tool that we’ve used and in fact still use in a limited way. We’re beginning to test more and more features of this tracker to determine if we run more ads through it. It has some features that Adminder lacks and it’s more price competitive.
OpenTracker - this is a website activity monitoring and analysis service. If you have a site and don’t have anything other than standard log files to look at then you’re missing something very important. If you don’t yet have a site then you will need to consider introducing a website tracking solution. OpenTracker tells us everything we need know about where our visitors are coming from, how long they stay, which pages get visited most and a whole lot more. Having done a lot of research we settled on OpenTracker because they’re based in Europe and they give great service.
ExtreMe Tracking - we’ve listed this because it’s a very common tracker. This is probably because you can obtain a free “public” version. “Public” means anyone can view your stats. We don’t think this is desirable for a commercially focused site but it may be something worth trying just to get familiar with what tracking is all about.
[Return to category listing]
UK Affiliate Sites
Affiliates4u - this is a UK based affiliate portal that’s actively used by UK, and non-UK, affiliates. Definitely a site you should bookmark and visit regularly.
UK Affiliates - this is really a UK dedicated Affiliate Program Provider but we’ve put it here because it’s UK only. It has some very good clients so it’s worth keeping in your list.
ClixGalore - another UK focused APP worth checking out if you want to focus on a local market.
[Return to category listing]
World-wide Affiliate Sites
Affiliates Directory - this site claims to have the largest listing of affiliate programs on the net. We don’t know whether this is true or not but the site does contain a range of useful resources for affiliates. Worth visiting regularly.
Affiliate Programs Guide - this site is very useful because it provides links to a range of affiliate programs. Definitely visit this site just to appreciate the different types of program that now exist.
[Return to category listing]
|
