Gathering info before starting new website...

**MX5** · 09-18-2007 02:55 PM

Hello all, I am new here and am interested in starting a website of my own to possibly build up some extra money on the side.

I have been here for probably a little over a week now, and have been conversing with one of the members here for the last few days via PM's. He has been a tremendous help so far and I have learned a few good things as a result. I figure it's about time I get in here on the forums and start picking everyone elses brains as well. It's always a good idea to get a broader span of ideas, suggestions, opinions, tips, tricks, etc, etc in order to make something work.

The things I have on my mind, I want to get settled first before I even start the website. The only things I know for sure is the subject (content) of the website and that I will definately be joining two affiliate programs, possibly three. One of them will be eBay.

Anyway, some of the issues I need to get some input on is...

Web host - service/features/options vs cost
Some kind of SEO, whether it be a program of sorts or manually done
Hiding redirects - I know why, but how exactly?
Other ways of marketing the site
Any extra FREE tips or tricks of the trade

Just from my own bit of research and through the PM's:

I have been looking at GoDaddy for the web host. My father uses them for his own tube radio business and he really likes them.

As for SEO, again, I have been looking at GoDaddy as they have something called Traffic Blazer which connects you with all of the major SE's out there. My father also uses this and has received nearly 6100 hits within the last 8 months to a year. I don't know if it's just because of his line of business or what, but that hit count doesn't seem all that high to me, but I could be wrong.

I have been told about hiding redirects within the server and such and why it is necessary, even been told how, but I still don't fully understand. Maybe I just need someone else to explain it to me in a different way.

Ways of marketing my site, I'm thinking of ways to supplement the whole SEO bit. The more I make my site know, the more business I can attract, which also means more $$$ every month. So far, the only thing I can think of is adding the address to my Sig in the various forums I am active in.

The last one there is pretty much self explanatory if anyone wants to indulge me.

Many thanks in advance!

**Sporkman** · 09-18-2007 07:39 PM

What do you mean by "hiding redirects"?

**MX5** · 09-18-2007 09:33 PM

Oops.. I meant hiding the affiliate links with redirects. Sorry.

**Sporkman** · 09-18-2007 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by MX5

Oops.. I meant hiding the affiliate links with redirects. Sorry.

If by "affiliate links" you mean links to external sites like to advertisers, etc, you can make a link to an html page on your own site, which contains the following:

<html>
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Refresh"
CONTENT="0; URL=http://www.youraffiliatewebsite.com">
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>

...for example. Then when they hover their mouse over the link, they see the address of a page on your website, but when they click on it, they immediately get redirected to the external site.

**Sporkman** · 09-19-2007 07:31 PM

Btw, here's another re-direction trick: opening another site within a frame window in a page on your own site. That way, they see an address of a page of your own site up in the address window, but the page they're looking at is from an off-site source:

<html>
<head>
<title>Page's Title</title>
</head>
<frameset cols="100%">
<frame src="http://www.affiliatesite.com" name="redir_frame" frameborder="0">
</frameset>
</html>

**meilbeck** · 09-19-2007 07:34 PM

I think you could do with reading John Chows ebook. do a search on google for it. Its free

**paul.b** · 09-21-2007 01:21 PM

use dreamhost, get a 1 yr plan, search for "dreamhost coupons" and it would save you as much as $99

**Aletheides** · 09-23-2007 04:49 PM

Yea I use dreamhost. I got a prepaid credit card, used a coupon, and got a years worth of hosting for like $22 bucks...

Do plenty of keyword research before launching your site so you know what keywords to develop your content around. This will maximize your natural free search traffic.

**richkid** · 09-23-2007 06:02 PM

do you SEO manually, the programs are just a waste of money.

**MX5** · 09-23-2007 09:53 PM

Been busy lately with the new job and haven't been able to get on here lately, but have been doing a little bit of research when I can.

Lots of great info and tips on this thread so far. Thanks a bunch! Will be back shortly.