I've been pouring over the site and looking at some of the wonderful links each of you have in your signature line.

New to all this, so trying to get my thoughts in order and wondering if the track I'm on sounds like a good one:

~ I think I understand the draw and benefit of writing a review site directed at my "niche".

~ My niche has to do with products, of which some of the companies that make them or distribute them do offer affiliate programs.

~ There is no way I can order all these products and personally give a hands on trial myself, but the quality and specific reason I'm narrowing in on these products is based on my knowledge and experiance. And, in my site design I would be providing the Problem/Solution as to why this product would be chosen. So, is it possible to use product reviews from other sites on my own?

~ Then would I make money by having my affiliate link on my site so the customer would then click to buy the product?

~ Ok, so the purpose of the blog would be to write about this subject of my niche, then have the link to my site in the blog?

If I'm on track or totally missing a major understanding of the process, please share your thoughts.

~Also, if you had to name one product from Holly Mann/Honest Riches, to Wealthy Affiliate to whatever else, what would be the 1st product you think I should buy to get the best, most solid foundation, and..why?

Thanks! Hopefully this will not only be of assistance to me, but to many others who read this.

Hi Again,

The fact that you have knowledge and experience with those type of products puts you in the best position to write reviews and sell them.

Most review websites are about selling others products through affliate programs. I've also seen companies write their own reviews and link to their own sites without an affliate link.

There are plenty of great review websites out there. If you had a look at a bunch of them you may see which website designs you like the most and may even be able to improve them. From there you can direct a web designer or programmer to create a site just the way you want it.

Once you have researched your niche and keywords you will know what keywords to use and what pages your website will need. Since 95%+ of web designers are not trained and experienced in Internet Marketing and Search Engine Optimization, then you will need to direct them in terms of key words, page titles, page descriptions and page text.

I recommend using overseas web developers to save in web development costs. You can save up to 75% of the cost in getting it developed this way.

You have the right idea about blogs. They not only offer links to your website but also offer a way to create new key word rich content and another avenue into your sales site.

The first Product I recommend to read before all others is defiantely Honest Riches. Then Word Tracker (keyword research tool) Holly also recommends some other good quality products to help you out. There are many products on the market you wont need by getting a web developer to create your sites for you.

Hope that helps you some.

Kind Regards,
Nick

Hi Pixiebell,

Yes, you definitely have the right idea. A review site is a great way to start. I know several people that have very successful review sites using affiliate marketing - vacuum cleaners, juicers, etc.

I wouldn't use other people's reviews on your sites unless you just read their reviews and then put them in your own words. Unique content has more value and you don't want to be in danger of breeching copywrite.

I think you'll do much better building your own site rather than paying some web designer to do it for you. It will have your own personal voice to it and you'll know it is done the way you want. It doesn't have to be hard if you have the right tools and guidance.

The number 1 product I recommend to anyone and everyone is Sitesell's SiteBuildIt (SBI).

The reason I say SBI is because I have used it personally and know from personal experience how great it is for producing a quality site that gets free targeted traffic from the search engines.

The SBI package includes your domain, hosting, step by step Action Guide (written and video), brainstorming tools, simple blockbuilder (for those of us who don't know beans about html and coding), analyzing tools (to be sure your pages are search engine friendly/SEO), autoresponders, automatic blogging, a very helpful forum and much more.

Once I joined SBI I didn't have to purchase anything else. It's a one stop shop, if you know what I mean. Sure, I could probably get a bit more advanced and add some things that aren't specifically part of the SBI basic package. Maybe one day I will. But it isn't necessary to success.

I actually feel sorry for people who don't have SBI. That may sound silly, but it's the truth. I know how much easier they have made my IM life and I think it's a real shame when others flounder around without them.

I hope your upcoming review site is a smashing success!

Blessings,
Angie

Hi again, and thank you both for your supportive and informative replies.

I wanted to share something here that I hope will be an inspiration and encouragement for others, who, like me, are just getting to the edge of the pond and about to jump in!

There is a product I use, that has health benefits, and was recommended to me by family and friends who use it. It's not a "trend" or "get rich by joining" item either. So, I looked up the company online, saw who online retails the product, looked at each online retailers site, and though I did not see anything about affiliate links, I chose the one that had the best retail price and emailed asking about affiliate programs. The response was yes, please let them see my site for review. Well, of course I do not have a site yet. And, since it is just for one product, I may not have a site. BUT, I emailed back and explained my "back story" on why I believe in this product. Since my initial idea for promoting this item was based on people, in the store, going to get it off the shelf after hearing me talk to the clerk, I thought I could create that same, down to earth style, in blogs, review, and write a couple of articles detailing my "story" and submit them, with the affiliate links.

Guess what? I received a reply today that yes, this is totally different from anything they have done, but since blogs are the new social networking, they would be HAPPY to set up a special program for me!!!

Moral of this tale? Believe in what you are doing. Don't sell short the possibility of what you think "may" be a good idea. And be honest. Oh...and ask! Politely, of course! I'm so full of faith and belief that the Lord is guiding me on a positive path, that I just had to share this with this forum...Day by day...step by step. Excited to see where this will lead!

Uh oh...I feel like I'm "double posting" with leaving no time between questions for a reply!

(TBH, once my brain goes into "brainstorming" mode, I hate to not take action, for I never know when I'll go "dormant" again!)

In the post I made above, I'm talking about a product that I do physically use. But this question is regarding a 2nd review site where the actual "reviewing" will be of products that I have knowledge of through knowing what a quality product looks like, and what I would or would not personally buy, but not actually being the one to review it. To keep my review site being honest and with integrity, what do you think about styling the site to comprise the gathering of reviews from across the web, all in one place. Not actually doing a "copy/paste" but a summary style? The benefit would be the customer could see what many different reviews add up to?

Good idea, bad idea, or, how would you suggest improving on it?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Hi Pixiebelle and welcome to the forum!

Congratulations! Way to make things happen!!!! With that kind of "go get 'em" attitude you should do well.

I think a review site is a good idea as long as you "show both sides of the story" so to speak. The good as well as the bad and let the consumer make up their own mind.

Just make sure that you research your niche thoroughly and pick lots of profitable keywords so that you'll be able to drive plenty of free traffic to your site from the search engines.

All the Best,
Kathy