Marketing Defined

The Anatomy of a Profitable Content Site outlines the ingredients for building content rich blogs and sites that generate consistent profits.  It was an article meant for inclusion in the main site when I had plans to expand Marketing Defined via the index page.

However, update to September 2008 and with the present mind blowing features of Wordpress’ CMS [content management system]… the plan was scrapped… in favor of making full use of Wordpress and adding all Articles and forthcoming Services to be offered at Marketing Defined… via a WP Magazine style theme.

Somewhat similar to the content filled websites of the larger Television, Magazine and News companies.

Unfortunately the time involved in bringing this Marketing Site online, has meant fewer new Posts on this Blog … but I know you will love the Magazine style site when completed.

If you are in the process of publishing your first profitable niche site,  here are the recommended guidelines to build a  “Profitable Content Site”

How to optimize a new content website

• it can be software “assisted” but not totally generated by software .. and please nothing is more off-putting than seeing the Home page of a site jammed with links to affiliate software sales.  Be sure to add the “nofollow” attribute to the code of each affiliate URL when the odd one is included in a post.
• it collects email addresses for leads or for regular newsletters .. if you must use a glide-in pop up, do so sparingly, and time the pop up to appear only once per visitor.
• it has features like a forum or blog .. search engines love the frequent updated content both avenues provide.
• it has a mixture of informative articles and other helpful on-site information .. you do want to keep your subscribers at your site, don’t you?  Give them a reason to stay and bookmark it to return later.
• it includes a call to action: “be sure to bookmark my site”  - see example in r.h. sidebar under Feed subscriber figures… check your web stats after doing this, and note the jump in stats for the percentage of visitors who added your website to their Favorites.
• it has more pages than script generated search listings or affiliate product pages .. don’t you just hate those script generated sites that have nothing more than hundreds of links, and matching Adsense ads!
• it has well written content that serves visitors with relevant, timely information [note to self to be  more succinct in my writing]
• it has a high repeat visitor ratio… give them a reason to return to perhaps use the free software and tools: HTML Code Validator, Google Page Rank Check,  or the free Autoresponder program… something of value related to your niche industry.
• it has one way inward links from other reputable sites in a related industry that recommend it simply because it is a good resource and for no other reason… ie. you didn’t pay for the link
• it has a brand identity, not generic.
• it has Contact information, and “About Us” information .. A valid address, email, phone and fax not only instills confidence and a sense of trust in visitors, but is in compliance with current legislation
• it has a Privacy Policy, assuring visitors their email address is safe if they subscribe… Growing a responsive email list is a MUST for consistent profits
• it generates significant revenue from Adsense and other advertising, including pay-per-click programs
• it looks and feels like the only site the publisher owns - like it has a real webmaster at the helm! simply because it does!

This is the anatomy of a content rich web site built to last and grow in popularity over time.

Revenue sources and mini sales sites might come and go…  but a skilfully constructed Content site or blog will always be the cornerstone for future earnings.

NOTE: This comment by a friend - also a webmaster… brought a smile to my face.  She likened the anticipation of waiting for the entire Marketing Defined site to evolve, like the “birth of her 4th child” - she’s only had three kids to date - well that I know of :-)