[richkid]

hey everyone,
just warning you this could be a long post

I have been designing sites for a fair while now, being a an active member of www.sitepoint.com and www.namepros.com. And have seen a lot of discussion about making money with affiliates, and adsense. So I have decided to test the waters....the only cost, a couple of $ for the domain and the free time i spend developing it.

Market: the acne market

Why: I know it has been a very crowded market online, but being a sufferer of acne, I know what it is like to have it, and how you will do anything to get rid of it.

Domain: www.clearyourskin.info

Why i chose this domain becuase I wanted it to be positive - giving the impression we are not just giving information about ance, but ways on how to reduce, and remove acne, and scarring.

How I will develop it:
Currently i have a quick made up site, that includes articles on major issues inregard to acne. I have inplemented google adsense, as well as a few affiliates though click bank.

However my goal is to have a blog, detailing the ins and outs of an acne sufferer, and ways that have been used to reduce it, and remove it. Product reviews, and the like.

I want it to a be a site where people suffering acne can come to read updates on new products, to see what is working and what is not on a real person currently suffering the same problems as them.

I wish to also have a propper artice gallery, where people can rate articles. I get the articles from sites like articlecity.com.

How to monetise:
Minimal google adsense on the blog, as well as one feature product, that will be linked to an affiliate. in each review I will link to an affiliate.

Problems:
One of the major problems i see is not content, but how to attract visitors, maybe incorporate a mailing list.

so you see...I have decided to test adsense/affiliate means of monetising a site by jumping in boots and all.

I now welcome feedback.

thanks
thomas

[akula]

you should contact me

i have the will, the technology and the money to help you do this on an industrial scale

[richkid]

hey akula I have sent you a PM

looking forward to some feedback/criticism

thanks

[jgarifuna]

I think the picture should appeal more to women than men. I think more women will likely care about skincare than men and the picture on the top can tell them visually that this is a site of solutions to their acne problems.

[richkid]

thanks,
I that was just a quick picture i found, and I will use your advice, when i create the full site.

[HeatherJ]

Originally Posted by richkid

hey everyone,

Problems:
One of the major problems i see is not content, but how to attract visitors, maybe incorporate a mailing list.

honing in on a niche is great! I think that a mailing list would be a good feature to have. In essence you could send out a blast email when you've found a new product to review, etc...and if there's an affiliate link, then include that.

As far as traffic goes, put a tell a friend button on the site, come up with a free report that you could give away, and add the site to your signature lines wherever you go. You never know who might be dealing with it.

You can also try adwords to get people to your site. I know a lot of people who start up niche sites and draw a crowd with the adword campaigns. You'll just want to make sure that your click throught and affiliate money over compensates the cost of your campaign. With the right keywords and ad copy, I think you'll find more traffic. In the beginning you might take a loss.

The other thing you want to make sure that you're doing is continually adding content. not just others, but your own.

And I agree, I think you're going to find more women than men visiting your site, but I could be wrong. It's been known to happen! I would say that you're looking at at least 6 months before you see any type of profit but keep plugging away and I think it's a great concept.

OH!!!!! one other thing...be on the look out for people that you could JV with. Other newsletter, ebook writers, etc. Contact them and see how you could work together to increase traffic.

as far as the blog goes...how about a journal of sorts about what you're dealing with on a day to day basis, what's working, what's not, what you've read on the internet and how it applies to you. I've found that when you make it personal and something that someone can relate to, you have a better chance of drawing them in.

Good luck!