Copyright 2004 David
Lovelace
Want to increase your affiliate link click-through rates and
profits?
Then you'll need to learn how to master your domain.
One of my favorite episodes of Seinfeld was the "master of your
domain" show where the gang bet each other as to who could hold
out the longest without giving in to self gratification. Whoever
'caved in' would have to lay down the cash.
The question - will the domain master you, or will you master
the domain? There is a price to pay if it master's you.
In today's power tip, of course, I'm talking about an Internet
domain. One that describes your piece of Internet real estate.
If your mother catches you mastering this domain, she may actually
be proud of you! ;-)
If you're not using this technique, you may be paying the price
of lost customers. So let's get right to it.
Affiliate programs are the most popular choice of making money
online. However, they're so common that most people recognize
an affiliate link and are less likely to click on one because
of the selfish notion that they might be contributing to someone
else's success. But that's another Oprah ...
I want to show you how to conquer this issue while looking like
a pro.
Take a look at the following examples. Each are affiliate URL's.
But 2 of 3 are 'masked'; you don't know that they're affiliate
addresses.
-
. www.greatproduct.com/98765/aff?=dude
-
. www.mysite.com/greatproduct.html
-
. www.thegreatestproduct.com
In should not matter which link to click if you are compelled
to click to find out more information. However, human nature says
that we are guided by our emotions. Therefore, each link may portray
a different image to you.
Here's how to make your affiliate link stand out in the crowd.
Typically #2 is the most widely used and is very easy to put
into place using a redirect script on your own domain.
You simply create a new file on your domain server, name it
(ie:"greatproduct.html"), copy and paste the script code. Then
enter the affiliate url address (where specified) that you want
to forward to.
Now when someone clicks on the new sub-domain you created (ie:
www.mysite.com/greatproduct.html), their browser will redirect
to the affiliate site but appears to the prospect that it is your
site.
A simple redirect script can be obtained by sending any email
to the following address mailto:script@6figuremarketing.com
Now here's a really cool technique as seen in example #3.
Get your own domain! It's the most professional strategy and
will gain instant credibility and trust which can increase your
rate of click-throughs. More click-throughs equals more traffic
which means more eyes on your product or service, which means
more cashflow in your pocket. Just be sure to sew up that pocket
hole you've been neglecting since 1977!
Ok, here's the cool part and you don't even need your own website
to pull this off.
Go to godaddy.com and search for the availability of your desired
domain. Register the name, but be sure to choose the 'redirect'
and the 'mask' option. Cost? About $9 for one year. In about 48
hours, your domain will be live and kicking.
In example #3, if you chose www.thegreatestproduct.com and someone
types that address in their browser, it not only redirects to
the site you chose, but will show up in the prospects browser
window instead of the site's real URL www.greatproduct.com/98765/aff?=dude
Did someone break out the pixie dust? It's marketing magic at
it's finest!
Use this powerful technique to add credibility and professionalism
to sub-domains and affiliate urls or any url where you want to
increase your conversion rates.
Tip: Use your domain solely for tracking reponse rates to specific
advertising campaigns such as pay per click, etc.
Follow these techniques and you'll soon be the master of your
affiliate domain!
About the Author:
Dave Lovelace is publisher of 6 Figure Marketing Tips E-letter.
Smarter marketing tips that generate prospects and profits. Subscribe
here: http://www.6figuremarketing.com/subscribe.html.
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