With over 1.8 billion websites online, it can be tough to stand out from the crowd, especially when trying to monetize your website in a crowded niche. To turn your website into a revenue-generating machine, you need to be easily discoverable by potential customers, which means snagging a spot on the first page of Google search results.
But with Google’s algorithm being so complex and always evolving, staying on top of it can feel like an uphill battle. That’s why it’s crucial to employ proven tactics to boost your website’s visibility and attract more clicks and conversions. With the right strategy, you can ensure your web site monetization efforts pay off and turn your site into a thriving business.
The problem is that if you try to monetize an unranked blog, you’ll get minimal results. No one will click your ads if your content isn’t high quality and valuable enough to rank high in Google’s search results.
There are so many steps to getting ranked that no one without experience can do it alone. The only way to get around this is to build a solid presence with many (relevant) backlinks and authority. The best way to do this is with the help of an SEO consultant or agency.
In no particular order, here are the recent ways to make money with blogs:
Start with Affiliate Marketing
Pro blogger Adam Connel from Blogging Wizard shares how to monetize blogs by promoting other people’s products and services;
Build an ‘Authority’ Site
“Initially, you would focus on a handful of products and expand outwards, creating more reviews and product-centric list posts as you go.
For example, this is the approach I’m taking with my guitar blog, Tone Island.
So I’m reading articles about all the guitar products I’m interested in.
Once you know which approach to take, it is time to find products/services to promote.
I recommend starting with the ones that you are most familiar with. Start with a quick online search to see if they offer an affiliate program. Search for something like “affiliate program”+“product/brand name.”
Maintain their relevance by only promoting top-tier products. And disclose your affiliate links.
Host Virtual Summits
Marketing strategist and speaker Dorie Clark, in her Entrepreneur.com article, introduces NavidMoazzez and his virtual summit success story;
He looks at virtual summits as “podcasts on steroids.”
The concept is simple:
Virtual summits are 24-72 hour video interviews with experts on a specific topic. They are often free to subscribers and can be purchased with an “all-access pass” after the initial period expires.
Benefits to leveraging this strategy:
- Build a fast email list
- Tap into other experts’ authority
- Monetize your blog and audience
Write Product Reviews
Not sure if product reviews are right for your blog?
Commission academy website lists some interesting industry marketing statistics:
- 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
- 89% check reviews before buying anything online
- 90% say positive product reviews influence their buying decisions
“The person searching for a review already knows about the product and has pretty much decided they will to buy it. They just want to check a few details and confirm the product is good first.
That’s where you swoop in with your stellar review and snag the commission!”
Use Contextual Advertising
Pooja Lohana, an Online Business Coach + Writer & Editor, explains how this content-based approach to displaying ads on your blog works with SEO monetization.
“A contextual advertising network or platform ensures that when a reader lands on your blog, they will only see ads that are deeply relevant to what they are reading.
These ads are not only non-intrusive but can also enhance your reader’s experience if done right. There’s a natural tendency for your readers to click on such ads because they easily blend with the content being read.
Of course, what also matters is the traffic on your blog. The more the traffic, the higher your earnings. You can then set an income goal and develop strategies to achieve that goal through your chosen contextual advertising network.
Google AdSense is one of the bigger names amongst advertising networks that can monetize your content. However, only working with AdSense may not be the best thing for a blogger looking to create a winning mix of ads that can generate incremental revenue.”
Further reading:
15 Best Ad Networks For Publishers And Bloggers In 2022
Amazon Associates
Beyond product review blog posts, affiliate expert and blogger Matthew Allen claims that almost ANY blog post can potentially be monetized with Amazon Associates by writing these six content types:
- List Posts
- How-To Guides (Tutorials)
- Checklists (Cheat Sheets)
- Interviews
- Guest Blogging
- Case Studies
Sponsored Content
Authority hacker blog shows an alternative way to sell ads on your blog by collaborating with brands to buy sponsored posts on your website.
“This means they will pay you a fee to create a blog post that fits within your blog’s theme but features their products.
Pinch of Yum is one popular blog selling sponsored posts to brands.
They even sell packages that include a sponsored post, an Instagram video and a story, all featuring brand products.
While it may seem complicated to work with brands, there are many “marketplaces” where bloggers with an audience of any size can connect with brands to work out sponsored posts deals.”
Products & Services
Graham Cochrane, business coach, founder, and author shares the following information with CNBC readers:
“When you’re offering a service, there are two main dials you can turn to make more money: getting more clients and raising your rates. But this can be a problem because there are only so many hours in a day to take on clients, and there is always a limit to how much you can charge in your industry.
The turning point for me was when I got the idea to turn my knowledge of audio mixing and recording into an online course. Selling digital products provided a passive income stream and allowed me to make far more money in a day while putting in less time than I did working as a freelancer.”
Donations
Kinsta blog gives some practical ideas about monetizing your blog by making it possible for your audience to make donations via WordPress plugins like Give, Charitable, and PayPal.
There are non-profits who leverage this method;
Bloggers like Scott Alexander of Slate Star Codex “make $2493 every month from just 410 fans on Patreon. Keep in mind that Scott only blogs part-time and still has a day job.”
Or, “Tim Urban of Wait But Why, who makes over $12k per month on Patreon alone.”
Don’t think this is easy as it sounds, though; “Tim Urban spends between 40 to 80 hours writing and researching to create one of his blog posts, some of which are longer than the ebooks people sell.
That’s a lot of effort put into something he’s giving away for free.”
Hobbies
Shopify’s blog lists “12 common lucrative hobbies that make money, whether it’s through freelancing, becoming an affiliate, building an audience, or starting a business.”
- Writing
- Illustration and design
- Music
- Cooking
- Gardening
- Photography
- DIY crafts
- Comedy
- Coffee
- Memberships
- Brewing beer
- Gaming
Closing Thoughts
Web site monetization is a complex process that requires careful planning, execution, and ongoing optimization. By choosing the right mix of strategies and tactics, you can attract more traffic to your website, build a loyal audience, and generate sustainable income over time.
As you explore different avenues for monetizing your website, it’s important to keep in mind that providing value to your audience and optimizing your site for search engines should always remain a top priority.
And if you need expert guidance or support, consider working with an SEO consultant or agency like Flying V Group to help you achieve your goals. Our experienced professionals can help you improve your SEO strategy, build a strong online presence, and implement effective monetization methods. Contact us today and start generating sustainable income from your website!
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