What does it cost to maximize Conversion Rates?

We outline proven, cream-of-the-crop strategies in the "Getting Started Action Guide" which is free to 5 Pillar Affiliates. (SiteSell's affiliate program is called the "5 Pillar Program.")

http://affiliates·sitesell·com/

This simple to understand resource provides all the information and strategies you need to PREsell effectively and generate substantial commission income. Naturally, the Guide focuses on SiteSell's exceptional products and tools.

http://www·sitesell·com/sitemap·html

. but you can easily and effectively apply its marketing theory/strategies to your other affiliate programs as well.

Would you like a closer look at the 5 Pillar Program and its affiliate tools/resources? Please download a free copy of the Getting Started Action Guide at...

http://freetrial·sitesell·com/

OK, that wraps up expenses and traffic-building. Now for our second question about expenses...

Question #2 -- What does it cost to maximize Conversion Rates?

Good news! Maximizing your Conversion Rate (CR) is simply a question of doing things right. There is no extra dollar or time cost to boosting Conversion Rates at your merchants' sites. This course will show you how to achieve this goal, too.

Remember. when this course talks about Conversion Rates, we are talking about the Conversion Rate at the sites of the merchants that you represent as an affiliate. So we are talking about how you will maximize the percentage of referral visitors who deliver the response for which the vendor pays, whether that's a sale, or lead, etc.
If you think that it's impossible for you to change the sales-effectiveness of your merchants' sites, you are in for a big surprise.

Your primary goals are...

1) Maximize targeted traffic to your merchants, spending only dollars and time that maximize profits.
2) Maximize Conversion Rates. Do things right (no expense).

Don't do just one. Do both. Why? Because, as you saw above, your payment is determined by traffic multiplied by the Conversion Rate... not "added." Your profits grow geometrically when you concentrate on maximizing both traffic and Conversion Rates.

I have spent quite a bit of time reviewing the difference between 5 Pillar Affiliates who refer high traffic to us and who deliver high Conversion Rates (% of visitors who purchase), and those who deliver low ones. The #1 reason for low traffic and terrible Conversion Rates?

Banner ads! No content!

The futility of banners was first revealed by our 5 Pillar Program, both in our original 5 Pillar Manual and in the 5 Pillar Affiliate Reports (our near-weekly affiliate newsletter). Retinal studies have shown that Web surfers actually avoid banners. Yes, their eyes look away!

Our study found that 5 Pillar Affiliates who relied solely on banners had an average Conversion Rate of 0.5%. But those who used "in-context" text links (i.e., text links that are part of the content of the Web page) averaged over 3.5%! How's that for a reason not to use banners?

Banners are cheesy and hurt your credibility. If visitors happen to click through (a big "if"), they arrive at their destination feeling "pitched" rather than informed. They have a resisting mindset, rather than with an open, ready-to-buy attitude.

Remember that example where you sent 100 visitors per day to a merchant and 1% bought? If you rely on flipping up some banners, it will be more like 10 visitors per day and not one person buys!

We reveal a lot about 5 Pillar Affiliates during this course. But it is not the 5 Pillar Program that is important here -- it's the lessons to be derived. This course is about making any affiliate of any program more successful.

Conclusion?...
Don't use banners.

Yes, I know "they're so-o-o-o-o easy." It's always easy to not make money. That's how all those get-rich-quick-guys do so well... the allure of easy money. No such thing.

I must repeat. don't use banners.

If you simply must use banners, save them for the products that you don't feel absolutely great about recommending. That way, you don't hurt your credibility .after all, it's "only advertising."

Save your "in-context" text links for super companies with wonderful products that deliver true value to your reader.

Beside the obvious futility of banners, I've spotted another major point. This one is more subtle, but it's important. extremely important.

The #2 reason for low traffic and terrible Conversion Rates?

After banner advertising, it's the second most common error. And it's an even bigger shame because this boo-boo involves a lot of work... misplaced work. If you're going to fail, the best thing would be not to spend much time at it, right?

Reason #2 is...