David Fiske A subtle blend of affiliate marketing and web development

January 2008 Archives

30/01/08 - I've Cracked The Price Comparison Code

For over a year, I've been using Price Tapestry (and for nearly 6 months selling templates for it at Price Tapestry Templates). It's a great piece of software that enables you to operate a price comparison website on a PHP server using XML or CSV product feeds.

I've been running a customised (beyond recognition) version of Price Tapestry over at Compare Sat Nav using my own product feeds I create after manually price checking, once a week (usually on a Friday).

The downside to the whole set up is the fact that it takes 2 hours to manually price check. It's exhausting work too. And monotonous. The answer? More

25/01/08 - Making Myself More Contactable

I've added my phone number to all the major networks I'm registered with just in case I'm missing out on anything.

Several other affiliates have posted about the phone calls at 5.30pm and the like, but I'm interested to see whether I'll get any calls! More

25/01/08 - Want me To Swap Networks Or Join Your Affiliate Program?

Do you work for a network and want me to swap links over to you? Do you have an affiliate program and would love to see it being advertised on one (or more) of my sites?

It's easier than you think. Here's what you can do. More

25/01/08 - PTT New Skin

I've just released a new skin to Price Tapestry Templates. It's out with the blue and in with hot pink.

The forum has yet to be skinned but that's my task over the next few days. More

24/01/08 - Tesco.com Home Delivery Review

I took the plunge and ordered groceries on the Interweb. For years I have strayed away from online grocery shopping due to the fact that sometimes you don't get what you want, and you have to pay for it too!

But a voucher worth £40 in clubcard deals and a voucher for £5 off (which covered the delivery cost) made me pluck up enough courage. So here's how it went. More

22/01/08 - Work In The Travel Sector?

Do you know how incredibly difficult it is to try and book a holiday (honeymoon)?

I've spent two days price checking sites, only to find out that they all use different figures. Some include taxes and transfers, other's don't. Some include flights, other don't.

But there's a major flaw with travel affiliate programmes: leakage. More

16/01/08 - New Year Business Resolutions

Half way through January isn't the best time to be making resolutions but nevertheless, it doesn't hurt to have some aims this year!

So here goes. More

11/01/08 - 3 Mistakes Made By Wedding Venues That You Should Avoid In Affiliate Marketing

In my Confetti Wedding Planning book, it says a bride takes on average 250 hours to plan her wedding. But given that wedding co-ordinators work office hours and my other half works roughly the same, it would be difficult to get any venue sorted quickly. So I've leant a hand and have been doing the venue research. It's taken me 4 solid days but we seem to be getting somewhere.

Nevertheless, there are a couple of things I've noticed about wedding venues that will help your Internet business.

Here goes! More

09/01/08 - Recommend a Camcorder?

With digital photographic cameras, I know where I am. I know I need a good brand, with a good optical zoom and high megapixel rating. Job's a good 'un. My current camera was the crème de la crème when I bought it 3 years and it's still a good quality camera today, packing a punch to some of today's rivals.

But when it comes to digital camcorders, I'm not sure where I stand. So I'm asking you to recommend a camcorder! All you have to do is tell me what camcorder is best in your opinion in the comments section below. More

07/01/08 - We're Going To The Chapel And We're Going To Get Married!

Probably not a chapel but nevertheless, I'm on the same bandwagon as Lee and Kirsty and proposed to my other half on Christmas Day.



So now we're planning where and when to get married. Naturally, the first place to look for help was the Internet but it turns out that whilst there are a couple of good wedding websites, there are hundreds of naff ones to. For instance, I searched for wedding locations and one website listed hundreds. It's only when you visit each county's wedding registrar website that you realise that the original list is not just wedding locations but reception-only locations - something the site neglects to inform you about.

Then there's the budget. People are happy to give out prices for meals but not venues. That's just daft! So far, it looks like we'll need merchant sponsorship ;-) Anyone fancy their logo on the stationery for a few grand?! More

04/01/08 - Price Update 04/01/08

A new year, another Compare Sat Nav update. In my previous post, I explained a couple of updates I'll be making soon to the site. One I forgot is that these messages will be moving over to CSN, freeing up space on here for some interesting affiliate articles. More

02/01/08 - A New Year, A Renewed Persistence

2007 has been and gone. For me, it was financially better than 2006. Hopefully 2008 will prove more lucrative.

I've got a couple of websites I need to roll out soon and I've got a couple of redesigns looming. Christmas tought me a few things and highlighted a few areas I need to improve on to progress in this business. More