subject: Do I Need My Own Website? Can't I Use A Free One? [print this page] A question I get asked often is do I need a website of my own? This is a GREAT
question. When I started in this business I asked exactly the same. I had precisely
ZERO knowledge of how to create a website. The thought terrified me. I had the
attitude I can't do that' (an attitude incidentally that I had to change and so
will you). It would be so much easier so I thought to use a website that I could
get for free, and that was already set up for me.
Particularly as there are so many free websites available. Let me be blunt here.
Your website is integral to the success of your business. YOUR website, not somebody
else's. If you don't spend at least a little time getting to learn the basics you
will be constantly nervous when working from home, as there will be a huge part of
your business that you don't really understand.' Clearly you cannot operate like
this. What happens when something goes wrong, or you want to make a very simple
change to your site? Will you call up your technical person or your web buddy every
time? Will you out-source all your web questions to someone else? Your website is
the life blood of your business. Get used to it. If you really are serious about
making money from home, you need to get over your web fear. It's quite an amazing
feeling the first time you publish something on the web for the world to see!
So, back to the question do I really need my own website? Can't I use a free one?
It's true, you can get free websites. Many fully operational with products ready to
sell already included. So why on earth would you bother going through all the work
to create your own website, when you can get a professional looking one for free?
What I am about to tell you, nobody in the business explained to me. I have one
thing I want you to be clear on. The only free' website you will ever be offered is
a free' AFFILIATE website. Let's look at exactly what this is: Free AFFILIATE
websites.
Please do not be put off by the word affiliate. I was when I began. An affiliate
quite simply is somebody (you) who promotes an existing product. An affiliate will
sign up to a certain programme, and will sell the products(s) from that programme
(be it books/clothes/seminars etc). As an affiliate you will be paid a commission on
every sale you generate. Amazon.com. A hugely successful business. But did you know
you can get involved and sell their products if you want, by signing up to be an
Amazon Affiliate (they call it an Associate but it is the same thing). Then,
through YOUR own website, you will sell whatever products you like of Amazon's.
You may well have seen the Amazon logo on other people's website. If you click on this logo you will be sent to Amazon.com, and if you purchase the product that the
website you were viewing was advertising, Amazon will pay you a commission. This
works well for both parties; Amazon benefit because they have thousands of other
sellers (affiliates) marketing their products. And the affiliates benefit because
they have quality products to sell. Of course however - right now - as you read this
article, this is of little help, because you do not actually have your own website.
I can hear you saying all very interesting but how does this help me?' Let me tell
you.
A lot of affiliate programs have realized that people do not want to go to the
trouble of creating their own site, and so a lot of affiliate programs now give away
a free website when you sign up to become an affiliate. This sounds great! Your own
site already set up, fully operational and stocked full of products, and what's
more - the facilities to take credit card payments. No need to design a site
yourself, source your own products etc. It sounds ideal! Well, just hang on a
moment. There are pros and cons. Let's go through both quickly as it is important
you understand this. Online Affiliate Marketing is HUGE. In 2007, the affiliate
industry worldwide earned $9.5 billion. Tens of thousands of affiliates make money
everyday, and thousands of people have quit their day jobs to become full time
affiliate marketers.
It is a good business to get into, because you do not need any
experience to start, and you can make good money by selling other peoples products.
Another good side about using an affiliate website for the complete beginner - is
that it will give you a web presence' immediately. This is vital to build up your
CONFIDENCE (trust me on this in this business you will need as much CONFIDENCE as
possible, as there will be plenty of frustration coming your way too). It is very
easy to get a free affiliate website up and running. Type in affiliate' in Google
and just see how many offers there are.
We have a complete e-book about this subject at the site listed below, all you have
to do to get it is enter your first name and e-mail adress and you can have the
complete information for free.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article, because I enjoyed writing it for you.
