Over the past 9 years or so that I’ve been making a full-time living online, I’ve tested different ways to monetize websites. In fact, it’s sometimes easy to get distracted.
I’ve generated income from…
- adsense sites
- affiliate sites
- membership sites
- mini membership sites
- ebooks
- software
What do you think is the easiest way to monetize a website? Leave your answers in the comments below…
For once, I figured I’d start the comments off and get in first
I think there’s a difference between the easiest method to monetize and the most effective method.
I think the easiest method is to use adsense. After all, all you have to do is add some code to your site. No product to build, no support to handle. However, I also think it’s a lot harder to make a living this way. You need a lot of traffic to make this work.
In my experience the most effective way is by having a product that you can sell. And the best model I’ve found is to have a membership site or mini membership site. I’ve been able to generate the bulk of my income from using this model. You can also earn full-time income with a relativity small amount of traffic.
Having a product on a site gives you two assets. First the site, and then the product.
In my business I use adsense as my follow up way to generate additional cash flow. In other words I sell a product first and then follow up with rich content articles that contain advertising.
I agree that owning a product is the best option.
I think affiliate products is also just as easy as adsense, and can generate a lot more income with lower traffic than adsense.
Ansel, I agree with you, AdSense is the easiest but not always the best, Most profitable has always been my own products but that option isn’t open to everyone. The only answer is to split test different options.
Thanks Mark.
I think you raised a good point – you always need to test. As you know, we often fail, correct, fail, correct – and then succeed.
you said it all,
Google adsense is the easiest ( or any third party advertisement program)
Easiest doesn’t mean best.
Affiliate marketing is the next one ,earns more with a little more work.
owning a product or service ,is the best..but comes with a lot more work….
I have tried all 3….
I would say the membership site is the best! Do the work once and get paid forever! I like that model! It does take sometime to setup! But once setup right you make a ton of money and help a lot of people!
This is my first visit to this discussion. I am really struggeling to get traffic to my website. Friends and family is out!!! I don’t want their excuses. So do you say adsense is the best. And what alse? Please help me.
Thanks for joining the discussion Liemar.
What I’m saying is that adsense is the easiest to set up, but having your own product or at least controlling a product (licensing rights) is the best option for generating income.
I struggled to make money online until I found a niche I could speak to and a product the niche needed. I am not getting rich from it, but it provides some nice vacations for my family and allows me some breathing room. Additionally, it is fun. I found Ansel about 4 years ago while researching membership sites. I started one and have about 400 members.
Much appreciated Glen.
If you’re interested we might do a case study on our blog about your membership site in the near future?
Ansel
Hey Ansel,
I would welcome that, I love talking about it.
Glen
Thanks Glen. I’ll have someone from my team email you in a few days.
yes , I agree adsense is the easiest, but there are alternatives, adbrite , clicksor, etc.
When monetizing your site, you should deversify your income. Depending only on adsense or one particular monetizing is not good.