New with LOTS of questions(long post sorry)

[pinkturquoise1978]

In my research trying to find a good host for a website I'm looking to set up it brought me here. I am starting a small business and I know that if I had a website that I would be able to make money with affiliate marketing. I know the questions I'm going to ask are probably already located in the forum, but bare with me because reading these posts seem like a different language to me.

1. how do I get started with affiliate marketing? (with or w/o a website)
( i read somewhere that you dont even need a website to do it)
2. will it cost anything or is there free ways to do it?
(if yes, until i come up with money, free would be great for me. Im putting all my money into my new business)
3. are there certain categories I should target? my market will be homemade candles
4. is it easy or hard and time comsuming?

I guess those are general questions. Im looking for advice or a link to a thread or two that will put my on my way to affiliate marketing. I could also use advice on hosts for sites that are low cost,( i need a site that i will be able to have a shopping cart and except paypal), cheap domain names, etc.

Basically, I know nothing about this, I learn quickly but I dont know enough about it to conduct my own research. I just want advice from someone who could tell a true beginner on how to start doing what you do. I started reading up on SEO, have a basic understanding, still foreign though. I was reading up on google analytics, google adwords...

When I do set up a website for my business, I want my site to be in search engine results. At the same time, I'm not ready to set up a site for my business and if I could start affiliate marketing and make money first, I would like to start there.

I would really appreciate some help. I am truly struggling to make ends meet. Im a single parent and any extra money would help. I just do not know where to begin.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS!!!!

[julie82]

Originally Posted by pinkturquoise1978

1. how do I get started with affiliate marketing? (with or w/o a website)
( i read somewhere that you dont even need a website to do it)

If you have your own website then simply select a suitable banner from your affiliate program and publish it on your website. You get paid for the positive referrals(conversions) you make.

if you dont have a website, select the adds from your affiliate program and post them on Free Add submission sites which are approved by your affiliate program.

Originally Posted by pinkturquoise1978

2. will it cost anything or is there free ways to do it?
(if yes, until i come up with money, free would be great for me. Im putting all my money into my new business)

Affiliate Programs wont cost you much. You can find free sign up programs as well.

Originally Posted by pinkturquoise1978

3. are there certain categories I should target? my market will be homemade candles

Your product should be of your own niche and should be popular enough to get high amount of sale in the market. The Rate of commission should be relatively high.

Originally Posted by pinkturquoise1978

4. is it easy or hard and time comsuming?

Earning money is not that easy you need to invest time if you want to earn a handsome income. Never expect things to happen in one day, it will take time for you to book profits.

For Search Engine Results you need to spend atleast 2-3 hours on using various SEO techniques for your site. This will improve the ranking of your site.

Best of Luck.

[jcbrown]

Affiliate programs are one of the techniques of making money online with some contributions of time hard work and patience. For getting started with such programs you would need a website just to post a banner of what you’re doing, else one could rely on free add-on’s site which supports such programs. Affiliate programs are not costly and free online sign up do exits. To get attention for such programs it require good topics and if spend 2-3 hours it could be available on search engines.

[julie82]

Search wikipedia for more detailed explanation on affiliate marketing. If you choose a product of your own niche you will always have the edge over the market that others won't have.