Frustrating days selling online

1. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

   Between server problems at Hubpages and stuff being out of whack. Then ebay crashing on one of my best traffic days. I am totally frustrated. One of the busiest online shopping days and alot of my work is just not up to speed - due to forces quite beyond my control. Online shopping peaks much faster than bricks and mortar. And it is heating up right now. Missing a day here and there is driving me crazy.
   
   Nothing to do but to continue to diversify.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      charanjeet kaurposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I wish i could help, I swear for me here you are like the Amazon Guru or Role Model to follow. Somehow I have never been lucky with Amazon. It is one of those hardest things to crack i wish i had the same luck as that i have with adsense. Wishing you all the luck in the holidays, cheers Charanjeet.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you for the warm wishes. I'm glad that Amazon is working out for you! I'm working on converting adsense. Although I've already made my $100 for a November payout, so it's works to a certain level for me. I keep thinking of ways to optimize it, but I'm still not sure.

         replyreport
   2. 79

      Sally's Troveposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't read all the posts in this forum thread, but I've been experiencing things "out of whack", as you have. 
      
      Here's my take...there's a huge demand on Internet resources now.  It's the friggin Christmas shopping season in a down-turned economy where many have chosen to go online instead of into mall parking lots.  eBay and Yahoo and every other major Internet player is hitting the TV ad venues like crazy.  For as good as the Internet infrastructure is, it's just not that good.
      
      Remember Y2K?  We thought the electronic world would crash at the change of the millenium, for no other reason than we thought double zeroes could not be handled by algorithms.
      
      I think what we are seeing now is an unexpected demand on resources.  I am continually frustrated by slow response times, especially from the sites I rely on for income.  eBay seems to be doing a good enough job meeting demand (despite the crash you mentioned), but for sure, smaller sites like auctiva are not meeting the response challenge.
      
      Maybe by the time we have the next world recession/depression, lessons will have been learned.  Meanwhile, this is a time of enormous opportunity for those who care to address and solve these demand problems.

      replyreport
   3. 76

      starme77posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hang in there , its like a bad Monday on a Tuesday but it gets better , gotta take the good with the bad and keep ona rockin

      replyreport
2. 64

   relacheposted 15 years ago

   In my real-life world, people just aren't spending as much money, even with the "arrival" of the holidays.  So I can't imagine that I'm not going to see that online too.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yep, I hear you. But I have added so many more product pages everywher, I was hoping to compensate. And I had an incredible traffic day yesterday. But a lot of it went to Ebay. And they were having major league issues yesterday. My sister is an ebay seller and was totally miserable.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      shazwellynposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      You are absolutely right.  We are leading up to Christmas and I am hardly rushed off my feet!  Gone are those days.  I am glad, though, to have found hubpages, though.

      replyreport
3. 0

   lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

   Oh Nelle I'm wish I could help. I actually saw my first really good day with adsense yesterday and had my first amazon sales I think earlier today. While I'm excited I don't expect this everyday, lol. I hope your internet gets better soon and ebay comes back up and online so you can make some killer sales this week.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Actually with all of the hard work you're doing you should expect it every day! Really. Yes adsense is increasing for me. And I made sales yesterday.
      
      But I have a good idea of how much money I should make given certain levels of google traffic. And yesterday was simply a disaster. Actually I don't know that for a fact, because ebay is still asssessing the situation and has said they will be late with their EPC and earnings data.

      replyreport
4. 0

   lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

   Ah thank you! I'm really just coming out of my second month of serious posting and starting to expand into getting more traffic via other sites etc. so not sure what to expect.
   
   I know though for someone in your situation where you have multiple sites, tons of hubs etc it has got to be frustrating though. I'm following what you are doing and trying to figure out what to do with my website. I realized that while it was made for the purpose of my writing it really could be generating a great deal of money for me if I change it up.
   
   You are an awesome inspiration lady! I really appreciate all you do and all your help.

   replyreport
5. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

   Thank you. Every site can be monetized. Think in and out of the box. You just never know where the next new thing will hit.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      shazwellynposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yep, Im looking for the crest of a wave.  Trouble is the waves are getting smaller

      replyreport
6. 78

   KCC Big Countryposted 15 years ago

   I still haven't fully recovered from the slump I experienced after Halloween.  My Christmas hubs are finally picking up, but my adsense hasn't recovered enough to allow me a payout for Nov, which stinks.  However, yesterday was my biggest Adsense day this month.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      We still have time in November. So you might make your payout. Traffic can go crazy this time of year. And you do have 245 hubs. You might surprise yourself.

      replyreport
      1. 64

         relacheposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         At the same time, nobody freak out if the Thanksgiving weekend results in not as much web traffic.  Big family holidays always take people off-line.

         replyreport
         1. 65

            lakeerieartistsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            Absolutely Relache.  You are right on.  I myself will be focusing on family on Wednesday and Thursday in a place that I cannot even get internet service.  And I don't know about other places, but the weather here in Cleveland has been unusually warm and sunny for November taking people outside.

            replyreport
         2. 82

            rebekahELLEposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            thanks for the warning, that makes sense. I even see some of my hub traffic go down over a weekend.

            replyreport
7. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

   To add to my ongoing frustration, Avon has just kicked a bunch of affiliates out of its program - me included. So I now have to find and replace all of those links. There are lots of make-up merchants but Avon is a great converter. This is a favorite Holiday tactic. They hope you miss the email and then send them free traffic over the holidays.

   replyreport
   1. 58

      Mark Knowlesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yup - this is how it works online. A one way street - I am mightily annoyed at Amazon - they have cost me 20% of my income by changing their cookie.
      
      Diversify......

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I hear you my Amazon conversion rate has tanked as well. I just can't bring myself to make another Amazon hub.

         replyreport
         1. 58

            Mark Knowlesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            They timed it perfectly. I have other sites with amazon also - and really - although my earnings are up for the month - I am not stupid. My conversion rate is 20% down from 8-9% to 5-7%
            
            What can I do? There is no immediate alternative. I just have to suck it up and look for something else. I am looking at drop shipping so I have more control - but that is for next year. ANd not an option here.
            
            Perfect timing on their part.
            
            Diversify, diversify, diversify.

            replyreport
   2. 42

      Neil Ashworthposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      What reason did they give you for this Nelle - out of interest, as my wife has been looking at Avon for a while so would appreciate your insider knowledge..

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         They gave no reason. Just told me I was terminated. Most merchants never tell you why. They don't have to according to their affiliate agreement. If your wife can get in, she should go for it. It's a great converter. Just diversify as well.

         replyreport
8. 78

   KCC Big Countryposted 15 years ago

   You've really been "kicked" from every angle Nelle.

   replyreport
9. 76

   sunforgedposted 15 years ago

   I was surprised when there were no complaints in the forums yesterday about eBay! ..the rss feeds were down on and off in many of my hubs and sites...luckily I got an email from ePn or I would have wasted alot of time trying to figure out why

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      There were in other online forums. I just tried to stay busy and work on other things. But the poor Ebay sellers....

      replyreport
10. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    Right now I'm just pissed off. I've been in this business long enough to know that this is just how things go and that this is how the game is played. So every month I just take the money and run and play the next game. How cynical is that?
    
    There will probably be more program cancellations and affiliate terminations right before the holidays. It's usually toy merchants. They let you direct traffic to them in the fall, collect the email addresses and they deactivate their program.

    replyreport
11. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

    This is why, this right here, the fact that you are frustrated and mad as a wet hen but yet you keep moving forward. No matter that you take the money and run on to the next thing, you are still moving forward which is simply an awesome attitude and why you are so freaking inspiring.

    replyreport
12. 76

    sunforgedposted 15 years ago

    ..mad as a wet hen made me smile
    
    
    from
    http://sketchedout.wordpress.com/2007/1 … a-wet-hen/

    replyreport
13. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    That is EXACTLY how I feel! I will print that out for days like this. Now I disappear for a few hours to replace my hundreds of Avon links.

    replyreport
14. 0

    shazwellynposted 15 years ago

    People having got the money to spend.  It is good that we are all from different parts of the world.  I can tell you here in the UK it is DIER!  We are still in recession.  Business is tight and the knock on effect is shear cut throat nastiness.  Even on the volunteering front, there is no appreciation - just being used to cut costs.  It really is a horrible time at the  moment.  Oh well, so much for good cheer! x

    replyreport
15. 76

    sunforgedposted 15 years ago

    I started with dropshipping and than switched to aff marketing
    
    Without a direct relationship dropshipping can be dangerous!
    
    I created a system and a market that was creating a couple of thousand dollars a month selling mp4 players and related accessories
    
    All i had to do was hit relist in ebay and pay my supplier
    
    Did you know that chinese new year lasts a month and lots of factories and warehouses close down?
    
    Well i didnt, and the headache caused by all those unfulfilled orders killed that ebay seller account, which had been profitable w/o the dropshipping, it took almost 4 months to build back from that..
    
    On the other hand, it can and is done well all the time, but be very very careful..do some test buys to check their fulfillment process and reliability

    replyreport
    1. 58

       Mark Knowlesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, I did know that - mostly from working for an electrical retailer who own branded a lot of products.
       
       But - I am sure there are pitfalls in that model as well.

       replyreport
16. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    Mark this is the perfect time to screw affiliates because we don't have time to replace heavy hitters like Amazon. And in Amazon's case a lot of people don't realize what they did, because it was hidden in the TOS. I found the line once - but now I can't find it again. They had two competing phrases. I think for a while they went with the first phrase and now they're going with the second.
    
    I was prepared with Avon, so I was able to keep all of my marketing copy and switch immediately to other products. I had really worked hard not to optimize for "Avon" but for "Anti-Aging" etc. But these other companies probably won't convert the way Avon did.
    
    I'm still ahead of last year, but it's taking a lot more energy. By the end of next year I plan to be working with at least 1,000 merchants across the entire economic spectrum. I want at least 30 return days for 80 percent of those.

    replyreport
    1. 58

       Mark Knowlesposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       First time this has happened to me. You live and learn.
       
       My immediate reaction was to ditch all my pages and tell them to stuff it. But that would be cutting my nose off to spite my face.
       
       I get it now. I already got it with adsense. Now I get it with ebay and Amazon.

       replyreport
17. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    okay, I'm coming out of it - all the Avon links are switched out. So I feel better - not so depressed. Avon just lost 944 links. Good thing I had a little script to help with that. (a friend did it for me - I'm not good at that stuff.)
    
    And I've finally figured out how to blend my Nelle Hubs with my Nelle websites. I'm using my widget!!!
    
    Now because that widget does go to my profile page as well as some of my hubs, I will have to add some pictures - so it's not all me on that page. (I can hear Marissa Wright saying, "I told you so." But Marissa, until now not many people have been visiting.) So, my down time will be dedicated to making my homepage more harmonious, visual, and welcoming.
    
    Some of you, I guess are following my journey of monetizing my hubs and integrating them into an affiliate marketing strategy. So if you're curious my Nelle sites are listed on my homepage. Everything is in it's new phase, so everything is far from perfect.
    
    I tried to pick a wordpress theme that complements hubpages, and set up my blog posts so that as a reader goes back and forth, it won't jar them visually (except for my homepage right now)but they'll know that there's a difference. Anyways take a peak if you want to.
    
    I really didn't mean this thread for self-promotion. It's just turning out that way.

    replyreport
18. 68

    lrohnerposted 15 years ago

    Nelle, you can self-promote any time you darn please. We all learn from it, so keep it coming girly-girl!

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Oh good, I didn't want people to think I planned this. I'm actually excited now. I might even add "guest" widgets from some other hubbers in the side bar. But first I need more content.

       replyreport
       1. 68

          lrohnerposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Your thread here is interesting and has definitely lit a fire under me to diversify even more. (Although I have to say that my Adsense has quadrupled these past few weeks and Amazon has risen ever so slightly.) I have several websites that have been sitting on the back burner for a loooong time. Looks like I know what the New Year has in store for me!

          replyreport
19. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    My adsense is doing really well too. But it might just be the Christmas holidays. Or maybe something does kick in about 8 or 9 months into hubbing and adsense goes up - and it will stay up.

    replyreport
20. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

    I have a wordpress blog that is just sitting there waiting for me to do something with it so I'm with you Irohner the new year is going to be filled with many new challenges.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       A blog just sitting there.... It's so lonely...it needs it's hub friends to keep it company. My husband is seriously questioning my sanity. But we've many through many Christmas selling seasons so he knows the ups and downs.

       replyreport
21. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

    Oh lordy Nelle I know it is lonely but wordpress at the time boggled my mind. I need to get back over there clean it up put up my widget and get to work on a niche or something.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Wordpress for Dummies was a lifesaver for me - worth every penny. Luckily I have a neighbor who is a high powered techie. But he can't write marketing copy worth spit. So I do some of his copy writing and he helps with the techie stuff.

       replyreport
22. 59

    CrystalStarWomanposted 15 years ago

    I'm confused! (Although it's gone half past midnight here in the UK and I've had a long tiring day...)
    
    From reading the comments at first I thought you were talking about actual sales and selling on eBay, but then I realised that some of you are talking about your affiliate links to eBay items... but then others are talking about drop shipping?
    
    I sell on eBay (UK) and after a couple of very slow months have had the busiest few days of sales in absolutely ages! (And not just my gifts for Christmas.) There doesn't seem to have been any problems with eBay here?
    
    Sorry to hear of all your problems Nelle - sometimes when things just aren't going right and everything seems stacked up against you, it's like a message from the Universe telling you that it is maybe time to change direction or start a new project?
    
    I haven't been with Hubpages for very long and have not had the time to write many hubs yet, but when I am more awake, I shall definitely have to read your comments and hubs, as you obviously have a lot to teach others!
    
    In the meantime, my bed is calling me... sweet dreams

    replyreport
23. 65

    lakeerieartistsposted 15 years ago

    I have been so busy the last week or so with work my online stuff is not getting a lot of attention.
    
    Here is what I am seeing in my part of the real world. People here are definitely beginning to shop for gifts.  My weekend was full of shoppers and I had double the normal amount of people in my store.  If that is an indicator of holiday shopping for the season, I am thrilled.
    
    It is unfortunate that companies feel that they must take advantage of hard working affiliates.  My belief is that the hard workers will win out in the end. 
    
    From what I am seeing people are focusing on gifts between $25 to $50, and that means you will have to have more sales to make the same amount of money, but as long as the sales keep coming, it is good.  Christmas shopping will most likely be compressed towards the end of the season with people shopping for price, and waiting for special deals.  Don't stop pushing your sites now, you still have a few weeks of craziness to go.

    replyreport
24. 61

    Jane@CMposted 15 years ago

    Nelle, your websites look great!
    
    On your beauty site, you can click on products to buy, how do you affiliate yourself with them?
    
    Sorry about ebay!  Hope everyone's sales pick up soon!

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Oh Jane... a whole new world is about to open up for you. Get thee to Shareasale.com. You will find thousands of merchants, who will pay you commissions with like 30 day- 120-day cookies.
       
       And Jane, did you not see products on the other sites? I'm in trouble if you didn't.

       replyreport
25. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    Great to hear that your gallery is going gangbusters. That's a fabulous sign for all of us.

    replyreport
26. 61

    Jane@CMposted 15 years ago

    I love you!
    
    Yes, products on all three sites. 
    
    If I had money, I'd be buying some of that jewelry, and definately love the gift baskets!  I'm going to research more on those beauty products, do they have a "teen line" for boys?

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       That I don't know.

       replyreport
27. 58

    Ricky Covitposted 15 years ago

    Shareasale is really good and I have had good experience with them though I have a about 20 Amozon sites the conversion have not been good. Adsense though helps me make good amount of mpney past the four figure this month..

    replyreport
28. 0

    pgrundyposted 15 years ago

    With Bill in and out of the hospital for six weeks now I haven't had the time or energy to keep up with the ever-changing money game here. My Adsense revenue is way down and I never did figure out the Amazon thing. I've been doing mostly freelance work for $$$.
    
    I just don't have the energy or inclination to constantly change my game for ad revenue. I'm a C- student in a class where even the A+ people are busting ass to keep up.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Oh man, Pam don't be so hard on yourself. You and Bill have been through hell recently. In late September I didn't get much done, and I had really good medical care. It was still totally stressful.

       replyreport
29. 0

    pgrundyposted 15 years ago

    Thanks Nelle.
    
    They let him out today, finally, after 10 days in this time. I'm crossing my fingers that things get better from here on in.
    
    Making $$$ online IS really hard though.

    replyreport
30. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    Making money is hard period.

    replyreport
31. 61

    Jane@CMposted 15 years ago

    Pam, I'm glad he is out of the hospital. I pray he continues to heal.
    
    Things will look up soon - by garsh I've picked up my husband's optimism!
    
    Making money is hard!

    replyreport
32. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

    Ok I bookmarked shareasale.com gonna check into it tomorrow maybe that is what I can do with my blog that is sitting empty.
    I might be able to put up a page for it on my website too. Oh the possibilities.
    
    Pam: I am so glad Bill has been released. I will keep a candle lit for him and you to gain strength.
    
    Jane: you let me know how you are doing if you do the shareasale thing.

    replyreport
33. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    I totally agree. And I'm only allowed one hissy fit per holiday season. So back on track today.

    replyreport
34. 64

    relacheposted 15 years ago

    The thing to remember during the holidays is that for as much as you yourself are away from the computer, so is everyone else.
    
    I'm probably looking at about four days in a row where all my priorities involve the kitchen, my family and movies.  Really, if you have to take a break from the internet, those are some fun reasons.

    replyreport
35. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    By this time our Christmas websites and hubs should be up anyways. So a few days here and there away from the computer won't hurt the current season.
    
    But as yesterday proved, I do keep an eye on affiliate merchant emails. They do some awful things this time of year. And it's usually a few hours work to recover from them.
    
    But it's a fun time to watch sales details roll in.

    replyreport
    1. 82

       Lily Roseposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Wow, Nelle, I can't belive how crappy some merchants can be to do what you are saying!  I joined shareasale a few weeks ago and have several blog postings for different merchants, but since my blog seems to get no traffic, I've not had any sales yet - doesn't shareasale kick you out if you go a certain amount of time with no sales?
       
       I'm glad to hear that a lot of people's adsense is picking up, mine is seeing a slump lately.  My Amazon is doing rather well, though - I've gone from nothing for a couple of months to having daily sales now and I received my first payment in my bank today ($12.52 - from September)...October is looking a lot better and November even better!
       
       I've been in a writing slump lately and that has not helped me, but I think I'm going to start focusing on V-Day soon...

       replyreport
       1. 48

          johnr54posted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I was with Shareasale for years with no sales before I got serious last year.  Never dumped me for no sales.
          
          If you like the way hubpages puts up product feeds from Amazon, you might try taking a look at using popshops on your site.  My experience is that featuring products in a way similar to the way the Amazon products are featured here converts much better than the crummy banner ads that most affiliates try to use, and popshops will do that quite nicely for you on your blog.  And they include merchants from a lot of affiliate networks, including shareasale, (but oddly only Amazon books, not products.)

          replyreport
36. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

    Nelle are you starting your plan for Jan now or are you waiting until the first week of Dec?

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       My plan for January was done 4 months ago. Seriously.

       replyreport
37. 61

    Jane@CMposted 15 years ago

    I, who normally have 50 views a day, have seen a 50% increase in views from Google, not hubpages.  I'm now getting more organic traffic (yea me).

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Yea you. Do you think it's Market Samuari. I took a look at their site last night. It looks interesting.

       replyreport
       1. 61

          Jane@CMposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I've used it to help me edit a few article, but I didn't do a total make over of any thing.  I think it has to do more with patience LOL - I've waited a long time for decent page views, while they are not stunning like many of you, more than 50 is GREAT for me, 100 is AWESOME.  Now to think forward to January -

          replyreport
38. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

    Wow, I'm behind then, lol. No, in all seriousness, I started planning jan back at the end of last month but I have some serious catching up to do in the online world.

    replyreport
39. 65

    lakeerieartistsposted 15 years ago

    Yes, I am already getting hits on some of my January stuff, so worth getting on it now. 

    replyreport
40. 95

    wannabwesternposted 15 years ago

    You are all so purposeful and motivated in your writing. This has been interesting reading. Guess I better start writing those January hubs.
    
    I started a WordPress blog too, LOL, but I don't expect it to monetize until next year. Regards.

    replyreport
41. 81

    Aya Katzposted 15 years ago

    My traffic seems to be going down, but my earnings, paradoxically, are going up. It's as if my readership is being winnowed down to clickers, and my clicks are getting more lucrative. Is that a normal development?

    replyreport
42. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    Lily Rose Shareasale does not kick you out, so you have lots of time to make sales. But ebay does kick people out for a lack of sales. Check out Dale Mazurek's latest horror story about ebay. And yes this is a fantastic time to think about Valentines Day. And maybe even Mother's Day and Graduation gifts.

    replyreport
43. 82

    rebekahELLEposted 15 years ago

    I have a question relating to Amazon. in My Accounts section, it says SET, but not ACTIVE. Have I not done something? It's hard to believe no one has clicked on anything? 

    replyreport
44. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    Popshops is fantastic, but it is pricey.
    
    GoldenCan is another option and many merchants pick up the tab so it's free for the affiliate. If the merchant doesn't pay, then GoldenCan takes every 4th click - in a similar way to Hubpages taking 40% of the impressions. So no money upfront.
    
    I have used goldencan a great deal, with fabulous success.
    
    Oh and if you're using Shareasale, don't forget to look at their "make a page feature." I'm using it on the static pages of my gardening site, if you want to see an example (listed on my profile page). Astilbe page is best. Hosta needs some tweaking. But you'll see what free can get you. And I love free affiliate tools.

    replyreport
    1. 65

       lakeerieartistsposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for mentioning the make a page feature.  I had that on my list of things to do, but just checked it out and it is really cool.  I can use this tool. 

       replyreport
45. 0

    lynnechandlerposted 15 years ago

    This is so cool. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and making suggestions. I'm bookmarking sites to check out and even trying to get my daughter in on it when she moves out to AZ.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       You're welcome. I do think affiliate marketing is the most amazing thing. I can sit on my couch and compete against the whole world. And make money!!! It gave me hope and optimism during a very bad part of my life. That's why I try to share what I know. These days, so many people need to make some more money - and if I can help, why not?

       replyreport
46. 60

    Helen Caterposted 15 years ago

    Nelle, you are a fountain of knowledge on this subject, and if I ever get into the selling hubs I will know whom to come to. You have helped many people with this thread, and this is what I love so much about Hubpages, and it's members.

    replyreport
    1. 0

       Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       Helen where do you find the time? I mean you run your own hair salon? Between appointments?

       replyreport
       1. 60

          Helen Caterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Something like that..I actually have retired as far as the hairdressing goes, but still run both of my salons. Paying wages, stock, and paper work does not take too long, as hubby does lots. For the first time since I was 15, I have loads of spare time. Hubpages is a real break from running the salons.

          replyreport
          1. 0

             Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Two salons and in business with your husband! You are a very accomplished business owner and wife.

             replyreport
47. 67

    Flightkeeperposted 15 years ago

    Nellie, this is being bookmarked.

    replyreport
48. 48

    johnr54posted 15 years ago

    I was looking at Goldencan the other day, and it looked like a pretty good option, although I have to say that I MUCH prefer paying even $30 a month to popshops vs giving up 25% of my income on those sites I use it on (and on my high volume merchants I would have to). 
    
    That's a no brainer for me.
    
    It also looked like you have a lot more control over which products/ merchants get displayed with popshops, but goldencan looks like it would offer Amazon physical products as well as books.
    
    Anyone used both of them that might share a comparison?
    
    I've used the Shareasale page builder before, but since it generates static html the pages tended to go stale as the products in the datafeed changed.
    
    The nice thing about popshops is that it will tell you when a product in one of your shops drops from the data feed, but you can have it dynamically replaced with something similar.  With some merchants like Target this is a must, as they don't seem to keep anything in the feed for more than a month sometimes.
    
    The dashboard is also very handy when a merchant drops you, you can clear them out in no time (I had this happen earlier this month :-(

    replyreport
49. 0

    Nelle Hoxieposted 15 years ago

    John I love popshops. And I believe they do have more merchants. But for some folks just starting out, $30 a month is a lot of money to invest. So goldencan is a good option. Especially if you use the Free merchants.
    
    I mostly use them for Betty Miils right now.
    
    As for the static nature of Shareasale Make a Page - very true. But I like the control that I have over customizing the html. Javascript snippets, in my mind, don't optimize as well as in the search engines. And since I rewrite all of the marketing and sales copy anyway to avoid duplicate content, my sites tend to be high maintenance.

    replyreport
    1. 48

       johnr54posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       You can get by with less than the $30 option (in fact you can use it for free to start with), I like the $30 option for the SID tracking and the multiple affiliate IDs' (good for multiple sites on CJ).
       
       You're right about the Javascript, not only poor from an SEO standpoint but so slow sometimes as to be unacceptable.  That's why I use PHP almost exclusively.  You can put in your own descriptions for products, but for most of my sites the copy is outside the shop.
       
       I may still give Goldencan a shot.  Do their Amazon products include more than books?

       replyreport
50. 0

    BookFlameposted 15 years ago

    I just hope Santa Claus is good to all of us!

    replyreport