August 2008 Archives

29/08/08 - Step 2) Creating The Database

We need 2 databases: the recipes and the advertisers. We could make everything flat file (i.e. without a database) and whilst that would be 'easier' now, it would be more problematic when the site grows.

Here's how I would set up the databases: More

28/08/08 - Step 1) Purpose & Structure

The sample site is one I suggested a while ago - a recipe site. There's a lot of buzz at the moment about healthy eating, dieting, budgeting and a food shortage so this seems quite apt.

So let's take a look through what the site should do and how it should be laid out. More

27/08/08 - Learn PHP and MySQL

(This is a prerequisite article in preparation for the "quirky affiliate site" series.)

We all have to start somewhere and for me it was coding HTML using Microsoft FrontPage. Those days are long gone now as I tend to use HTML Kit to code PHP files. Back then, I never thought I would switch from WYSIWYG editors to text editors but alas, progression dictated that!

I used one book to learn PHP - PHP and MYSQL for Dummies. I like the Dummies range of books as they are simple to use as a reference encyclopaedia as well as a book. The book has mixed reviews on Amazon so I imagine it's like Marmite - you love it or you hate it. I love it - it suited my needs when I was learning. More

26/08/08 - Create An Affiliate Site With A Twist From Scratch

Over the course of the next few weeks, I'm going to take Tania up on the idea of creating an in-depth set of articles detailing exactly how to go about creating an affiliate site with quirky features and functionality.

The aim of the articles is to show how easy it is to get a site up and running using MySQL, PHP and some (open source) ready made plugins.

Here's the order of the articles to follow: More

23/08/08 - Crown Currency Exchange Review

In preparation for my trip to Orlando (care of Sunshine), I went on the hunt for a decent currency exchange.

The going rate at the time was around £1:$1.80.

I stumbled across Crown Currency Exchange who offer various rates for US dollars, Aus dollars, NZ dollars, Can dollars and euros.

Having never heard of them I did a bit of research and found out a very important point: More

20/08/08 - Humorous Witty Business Domain Names

Whilst it's great from an SEO perspective having keywords in the name, sometimes you can create more buzz and awareness by using something unusual, funny and witty.

People tend to remember witty names as they are different. They stand out because they are humorous, witty or clever. These are the names that people are more likely to visit, and link to, on the web.

After a bit of research, here's some gems I've found to spark some creative juices: More

20/08/08 - Set Staggered Aims

In the spur of the moment, it can seem logical to launch everything on one site at the same time. For instance, a voucher code site isn't quite the same with just chocolate merchants vouchers listed.

Or is it? More

19/08/08 - Post Less To Get More RSS Subscribers

Okay, perhaps that's not strictly speaking true as I think there's certainly a "content quality" issue content to consider as well.

But since I started working elsewhere and posting less here (but more informative posts than observational posts), my subscriber list has doubled - and I've broken the first 100 barrier.

Okay, so 100 people regularly reading via RSS isn't a lot but it seems to prove that if you write keeping your blog focussed on a particular subject, you'll benefit because of it, even if that does mean posting less. More

15/08/08 - My First Successful PPC Campaign!

In an attempt to a) relieve boredom, b) increase revenue and c) boost search engine interest, I decided to look at PPC again. The last time I tried my hand at it, I failed somewhat dismally more or less because I didn't know what I know now. Experience certainly wasn't on my side!

I've launched a classy blog type site recently which switched between result 1 and 11 for the site name search. I pitched the idea to some manufacturers and the outcome was that if I wasn't on page 1, how could I help them?

I set up an AdWords campaign 3 days ago to at least get an ad on page 1 and here's the story since. More

15/08/08 - My First Mobile Phone Sale!

I've never generated a mobile phone lead (or at least not to my knowledge) so I was pleasantly surprised at two aspects that arose from this: More

13/08/08 - This Content Lark Takes Time!

Phew, the last few days have been hectic! I've been adding content to a few sites as part of my new-found business targets as well as trying to muster up enough energy to set up the last few domains in my portfolio ready for Christmas.

So why is the content taking up so much time? More

08/08/08 - Let's Get Nice And Sticky

Perhaps a bit of an ominous title but apt never the less.

I'm developing a set of tactic going forward for the next 3 months and in doing so, it means I need to focus on a set of websites. So I need to work on building visitor numbers to these.

The thing is, you've got to remember to create something different to the competition in order to attract and retain visitors.

So how do you go about creating sticky features? More

07/08/08 - UK Affiliate Marketing Magazine

I love magazines but I've yet to come across one that fits my affiliate marketing lifestyle. I've tried NMA a couple of times but it's too generic for my liking, failing to cover topics that are important to me.

What I would like is a monthly magazine just for the UK affiliate marketing scene. I don't think this is out of the realms of possibility but perhaps there isn't enough demand for it.

Here's what I'd like to see in it. More

05/08/08 - Mould Your Content Around Your Visitors

I've recently started a new content site and set out writing content aimed towards what I thought was a target audience. However, looking through the stats I can see that my audience is not what I once imagined it was.

I could be alienating visitors simply because I'm writing the wrong stuff.

Here's an example and how you can avoid making the same mistake. More

01/08/08 - Weird and Wonderful Landing terms For July 2008

And so another month draws to a close. Here's a list of those wacky keywords that bought so many to this corner of the Interweb.

Enjoy this month's instalment :-D More