Category: Online Business

The Internet is a wonderful place where anyone can find the occasional gig to make some additional money. If you got some extra time and needed a few dollars more for getting through the month when money is tight, there are plenty of opportunities to find around. Ads flipping is among these, and banner advertising platforms are a really unique (and effective) way to cash in by working remotely.

Banner ads are all but a surpassed technology, and they’re still used a lot around the web to advertise a wide range of different products. Banner advertising platforms allow people to profit and they’re based on a very simple principle: You invest some money and then start buying and selling ads just like any other commodity. In this Clicksdealer review, we will give a deeper look at this specific platform and see how the world of ads flipping work.

What is the Clicksdealer platform?

The Clicksdealer marketplace operates on a platform that allows users to earn money from home by flipping advertising placements using banner ads.In a nutshell, users can buy and sell ads that will be published on a very big network of publisher websites. Clicksdealer’s software guarantees a high degree of security and is built on a simple interface aims to let even the less tech-savvy user grasp the basics quickly.

How does the Clicksdealer marketplace works?

Once the user registered his profile on theClicksdealerBanner Advertising Platform, he or she can purchase a bundle of banner ads choosing from one or more categories. These so-called niches include leisure, sports, technology, fashion, cars and much more, and the user will find that all the major brands are here, from Toyota to Nike, Samsung, Dell, LEGO, McDonald’s and more. A banner can be bought for as low as $25 and may reach a value of more than $1000. A starting package of banners can be bought for as low as $250, while other packages are also available with prices starting at $5,000 to buy 50+ ads at a discounted price.

The interface includes a very intuitive dashboard where the user can compare each banner’s stats, its past performance and trends, its value, and choose whether he wants to sell some of his banners or buy new ones. In case something wrong happens, technical support can be contacted 24/5 to get some quick assistance.

How does Clicksdealer generate profit?

Whenever a banner is purchased, the ownership for that ad is provided for a certain number of days, during which the user makes money every time someone clicks on it. The ads bought are displayed on many websites so they enjoy a significant visibility. The more clicks each ad gets, the more its value will rise, and, in due time, the owner may choose to re-sell it for a better price (just like in an auction – the goal is to sell your ad to the highest bidder). The best traders will eventually know how to make a solid additional profit just from buying and selling ads.

Conclusion

Clicksdealer seems like an interesting platform to earn some additional cash online. The marketplace is large and lively, and with some patience and efforts, a dedicated user may have a chance to profit even with a relatively small investment.

If you’re new (or newer) in business, you may have heard that you need to be “building your list”, or “the money is in the list” or any variation thereof.  So let me take a minute today to explain to you exactly what this means, and why there’s so much emphasis on this business-building strategy. Think of this article as your list building overview!

Why Building An Email List Is Important

Before you can set about bringing in new subscribers every day (a.k.a. building your email list) you need to understand why this is such an important business building strategy.

If…

• You’re struggling to get clients
• Your income looks more like a ride on a theme park roller coaster
• Not enough people buy your products or register for your programs
• You’re losing confidence in your ability to build your business

Then…

You need to create a BIG email list, which means you need to have a plan in place to bring in new subscribers EVERY DAY. And your subscribers need to be highly targeted, meaning that you don’t want just anyone on your list, but you want people who have a specific problem that they want solving, and which your services/products/programs can solve for them.

So, before you put any list building strategies in place you need to be really clear on who your ideal clients are and what the problems your business solves for them.  Then, in your marketing and list building activities you can speak directly to that group of people.

It’s Simply A Numbers Game

Ever wonder how the big guys manage to have six-figure launches? Or sell a ton of products? Or fill their live events?

It’s not because they have a better product than you. Or are more of an “expert” than you. Or any other reason you care to come up with.

It’s simply because they have a bigger email list.

They have a BIG pool of subscribers who are their ideal clients. So when they make an offer to their subscribers more people sign up.

Let’s Do The Math…

Let’s make some assumptions based on industry averages* for email marketing to professional services business to business sector…

• Email open rate = 20%
• Email click through rate (subscribers who open your email click through to whatever you’re directing them to) = 3%
• Conversion rate (subscribers who click the link in your email and then take action on your offer) = 4%

So, let’s just look at those first two numbers — opens and click throughs. On an email list size of:

• 500 subscribers: open rate = 100 subscribers, click through rate = 3 subscribers
• 5,000 subscribers: open rate = 1,000 subscribers, click through rate = 30 subscribers
• 50,000 subscribers: open rate = 10,000 subscribers, click through rate = 300 subscribers

Now, before you feel despondent by some of these numbers, just a few things for you to note here:

• These numbers are on a single email broadcast – not an entire launch campaign.
• This is an industry average number. Your own numbers may be different (which is why it’s important to track your stats too). You need to know how YOUR business is performing.

But you get the picture… it all comes down to numbers!

1,000 Subscribers — The Tipping Point

There is a ‘magic number’ when it comes to building your list.  If you can work your way torwards gettting your first 1,000 subscribers you’ll see things start to snowball after that.  You’ll see more results from the offers you make, more interaction between yourself and your subscribers, and you’ll find once you’ve got some basic list building strategies in place, you’ll start to draw new subscribers to you every day.

However, before you go rushing off to work on your list building, let me just say that with all this talk of list building and numbers etc. remember that at the end of every email address is a person. Your first priority should be to build your relationship with that person, so consider that with every email that you send out. How is it building your relationship with your subscriber?

So now that you know a little more about email marketing and why it’s important that you have new subscribers EVERY DAY where are you struggling with your list building activities?

Choosing a trustworthy, efficient, and talented web development agency can make a big difference for a small business. You should be searching for a web development team that can offer affordable prices without compromising on quality. They also have to provide services well beyond the development. Asking some pointed questions during the initial interview will allow you to understand whether the agency is capable of providing the quality of service you deserve.

5 Questions to Ask a Web Developer for a Small Business

1.      Are you using open-source or proprietary solutions?

The debate about whether open-source or proprietary software is better has been ongoing for years. CMSWire reports there’s no clear winner, which is definitely true in regards to quality. However. In terms of price, open-source definitely wins.

Using these solutions will reduce the overall web development costs, which is vital for a small business. There is also the benefit of flexibility to the open-source solutions. Getting your web development project based on them will reduce risks for your future as you’ll be able to get any issues fixed even if you break off with the agency.

2.      What about the hosting?

Will the web development agency provide hosting in their package or do you need to find a host yourself? Regardless of the answer, you should research the provider and study objective hosting service reviews. Web development agencies usually act as resellers from top brands, so you’ll need to research the actual brand behind the company. Check out downtime stats and testimonials about the quality of tech support and customer service.

Small businesses can benefit from using a web development agency that provides hosting because this will save them time. This might not be the cheapest option, but if the agency provides website maintenance and other similar services, this plan will be most efficient in the long run.

3.      How does your pricing work?

A small business owner who doesn’t want to be duped should always know how exactly a web development agency sets its prices. Do they have an hourly rate or a flat fee? What kind of guarantees do they offer in regards to the agreed-upon budget? What exactly does the price entail?

You should research the website building cost breakdown so you have some idea of what to expect. Be sure to compare several options so you can see exactly how there are different, not only in terms of the total cost.

4.      What CMS do you use?

This question is a basic that will determine how flexible your website will be for future alterations. You also need to know this if you are the one looking for a hosting service. Some of them focus on a single CMS and might not even support your website if it uses a different system.

5.      What do you do before you start designing?

Does the agency complete a niche market research on behalf of your business? What kind of questions will they ask you?

You should be looking for a web development agency that will determine your goals and target market first and then do research to come up with a web development project that has a higher chance of success.

Many would-be entrepreneurs bolt out of the gate with excitement when it comes to setting up their new ecommerce business, only to find that the business fizzles out after only a few months. It’s important to find ways to manage your business and stay on task, so that you can create and fulfil orders in the most productive manner.

Use the Right Tools

Advances in technology are what allow more and more home entrepreneurs to run their own ecommerce shops with ease and convenience. For example, using an ecommerce website builder is a great way to get started with creating a new website. This type of software provides the ecommerce web hosting you need. You can also expect to have access to website templates, a centralized dashboard allowing you to manage your content, and assistance with marketing and analytics to get your business off the ground. Investing in the right tools will help you stay focused and productive in the initial setup and on-going maintenance of your new business.

Find a Product you Love

There are several factors to take into consideration when you’re first choosing the inventory to fill your online shop. On one hand, you’ll want to think about which industries are showing growth and what will sell to your target demographic. Yet it’s also important to set up an ecommerce store that you’ll be happy to run, with a product you feel enthusiastic about. This will make you far more likely to put strong effort into it and enjoy your work. It’s helpful to remember that in ecommerce shops, you can sell physical products as well as services, and even virtual products such as digital artwork or books.

Manage your Inventory in Categories

The layout of your online catalogue is extremely important. Not only will well-organized merchandise be easier for your customers to browse through and find what they’re looking for, but it will also be easier for you to manage. The top ecommerce software will help you with this task, allowing you to group your products into logical categories. You can also include specialty categories like gift ideas or promotional items, to draw more attention to your wares.

Create a Work Schedule

If working from home or running your own business is a new concept to you, it can be difficult to determine how you are going to manage your project efficiently. Setting up a work schedule with daily tasks and to-do lists is a good way to stay on top of your shop. You can set up instant notifications and email alerts when new sales are made, which will allow you to ship your products more efficiently. It’s recommended to work on building your website every day, whether it’s managing new blog content, reaching out to clients through social media avenues, or searching for new inventory to stock your shop. With small daily strides, you can start building an online empire.

With the Web 2.0 boom in recent years and the advent of social media, it is easier than ever today to start a business. And it is also possible to extend the marketing scope of your business to reach thousands, even millions of people each month.

So where do you start?

1. Research Industry Blogs

No matter what industry you go into, a plethora of blogs will be available. Start your search at Blogcatalog and Technorati, then expand by checking out blogrolls of related sites.

2. Buy an E-book

Many blogs will offer to sell you an e-book on how to get started in the industry. While many of these are overpriced to worthless, some offer invaluable information on starting your business. Do a Google search for reviews to see which one to buy.

3. Build Your Website and Blog

Companies today should have blogs! Maybe your business is your blog and you’re monetizing with advertising or affiliate links. Or perhaps your business is an online retailer. Either way, a blog is a tangible way that your customers can connect to your business. Blog about industry trends, what’s going on at the office, your goals etc.

4. Social Media

The two most essential social media platforms for the time-being are Facebook and Twitter. Take some time and get acquainted with both of these services. Make a fan-page on Facebook and invite all of your friends. Make a Twitter profile and start connecting to people in your industry. The sky is the limit on the exposure you can achieve with just these two services alone. The key is customization. Make sure to customize your profiles for each to fit the feel of your brand. See Mashable for more tips on social media.

5. Optimize, Optimize, Optimize

Start trying to get your site to rank on the major search engines. Whole books have been written on this subject alone but here are a few tips:

· Focus on your internal structure. Make sure every page is crawl-able, you have a clean and navigable site map, and that you’re linking internally using embedded text and not meaningless phrases like “click here” or “see this article”·

Make sure you know the keywords you’re targeting.
· Start the link-building process. Reach out to fellow bloggers on related sites and offer to write guest posts. Many bloggers will often let you link your site in exchange for free content.

Starting an online business is time-consuming, make no doubt about it. But it is a relatively easy way to break into the world of entrepreneurship and small business. If you’ve ever had the urge to start your own business, this is a great opportunity for you. Once you earn your first dollar via your website, it will all be worth your time.