There are multiple ways to monetize a web site and, in fact, it is a good idea to continually look for new streams on income. One method that has made millions for some and pennies for others is Google Adsense. Let’s take a look at what Google Adsense is, how it works and whether it is a worthwhile means of monetizing your online business.

What is Google Adsense?

Adsense is a advertising program run by Google. Once you sign up and create an account, you generate some code that you add to your website. When someone visits your site, Google delivers relevant ads in the form of text, images or links. Each time a person clicks on one of the ads, you get a percentage of fee that the advertiser pays to Google. The percentage is not revealed by Google.

How much can you make with Google Adsense?

It depends. The amount of income you receive from Adsense depends on the value of the clicks, the amount of traffic your site receives and the conversion rate. Some themes pay more than others. For example, my website 4 Family Vacations, generates clicks that are worth only a few cents to $1 or $2. Usually it is between .05 and .20 cents. My site Management Software Central usually generates clicks that are worth far more.

The conversion rate, that is the percentage of visitors that click on an ad, can be increased through the testing of ad type, placement and design. Everything that I have read and personal experience have taught me that the best converting ads are text ads placed above the fold (towards the top of the page) that blend in with the other elements on the site.

How should Google Adsense be used?

Don’t fall for “Get Rich Quick” schemes that promise you instant earnings from Adsense through the creation of thousands of pages of either scraped content (taken from other sites) or the same content that is sold to thousands of people.

Google Adsense should be a compliment to a theme-based website that provides visitors with original, quality content. Done properly, ethically, and with quality, Google AdSense and a content-filled website enable you to create and monetize, exactly as these satisfied SBI! owners demonstrate.

Learn more about online business monetization with Google Adsense.

The are many effective models for creating an online business. One of the fastest and easiest is affiliate marketing. Below are some questions and answers to help you better understand this model

What is affiliate marketing?

In simple terms, affiliate marketing is the promotion of a product or service for a commission. My website U.S. Passport Service Guide is an example of this business model. The site provides information to U.S. citizens about passports and travel visas with emphasis on how to expedite these travel documents. When someone clicks on the link and contracts an expediter that is recommended, I receive a commission. Commissions range from $5 to $40 depending on the service.

What products and services have an affiliate program?

It might be better to ask what products and services don’t have an affiliate program. Affiliate marketing is not only an effective business model it is also one of the best ways for a company to exponentially increase sales. Due to its effectiveness, the number of businesses that have created an affiliate program have increase dramatically. Here is just a partial list of products and services you can promote.

• Accessories - handbags, belts, shoes, etc.
• Art/Photos/Music
• Automotive
• Beauty - bath & body, cosmetics, fragrances
• Books & Media
• Business - marketing, office, productivity tools
• Careers
• Clothing
• Computers and Electronics
• Education - college, languages, professional
• Entertainment
• Family
• Financial Services
• Food & Drinks
• Games & Toys
• Gifts & Flowers
• Health & Wellness
• Home & Garden
• Insurance
• Legal Services
• Online Services
• Recreation & Leisure
• Sports & Fitness
• Telecommunications

This is just a sample of the categories that represent millions of products and services that you can promote.

Where do I join an affiliate program?

There are two places to find affiliate programs. First, there are affiliate networks like Commission Junction, Linkshare and others. Second, there are in-house affiliate programs that are managed by the companies that offers them.

What kind of commissions are paid?

It depends. Commissions range from 1% to 100% depending on the product or service. Most hard goods have a commission of 1% to 20%. This includes things link jewelry, electronics, luggage and the like. Larger commissions are usually paid for digital goods like downloadable ebooks, software, scripts, etc.

Where can I learn more about affiliate marketing?

A great introductory course is The Affiliate Masters Course which is free to download. Another options is to participate in the SBI eLearning Online Business Course. It is a 10 lesson online course in which you graduate with your own business set up and ready to grow.