If you want to start a business, you don’t need a brilliant product idea or to open a brick and mortar store. Selling other companies products can be the best way to get started. You can get access to other companies’ products through dropshippers and sell the merchandise online through an existing sales channel or your own website.
Pick a Niche
Most online sellers find it easier to operate in a single niche, such as computer hardware or business products. Operating in a niche simplifies your marketing efforts. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, you only need to appeal to a specific market segment. Sticking close to home and selling a product, or a closely related set of products, you already know a lot about maximizes the uniqueness and expertise you bring to your sales efforts. An accountant, for example, can offer expert-level insight into accounting and bookkeeping software or books.
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Drop Shippers
Once you select a niche product or product line to sell, you need a supplier for that product. Dropshippers fill this role by providing you access to thousands or even millions of products. You’ll want to set up an account with a reputable drop shipper, such as Doba or Worldwide Brands, that carries the products you want to sell. You can also contact the company that makes the products, as many companies offer drop shipping services directly to sellers. The key benefit of using a drop shipper is that you do not need to carry inventory. You pay the drop shipper, and they ship to the customer.
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Dorp Shipping Considerations
Drop shippers typically charge membership fees that range from moderate one-time fees to comparatively steep monthly fees. They may also demand you provide a tax ID, called an EIN, and a business license. You apply for an EIN through the Internal Revenue Service. The Small Business Administration offers guidance on finding the federal or state licenses and permits you need in your location.
Starting a business online doesn’t have to mean racking your brain for a groundbreaking innovation or product. By taking advantage of drop shippers’ catalogs of existing products, you can skip the brainstorming and product testing and jump straight into building your online business. Stick with a niche you know and leverage your understanding to enhance your sales material. Finally, remember to get the legal elements in order, such as EINs and licenses, so you can focus on the business and not regulation violations.
Sell Through Existing Sites
Some websites, such as eBay and Amazon, allow individuals to use their platforms to sell directly to customers. The advantages of working through an existing site include minimal setup and maintenance, a ready-made customer base and a massive reduction in marketing. The pitfalls include listing fees, reduced control and limited ability to develop your own customer base.
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Selling Through Your Own Site
Selling the products through your own site eliminates the pitfalls of selling through an existing platform, but it also eliminates some advantages. You escape listing fees and can develop a customer list, as well as maintain total control over your website’s look and feel. On the downside, you must purchase a domain name and secure web hosting. You may need to hire a web designer to create your site, and your site needs to integrate with an online payment processor. Selling through your own site also requires active marketing to drive traffic, which can cut into your profit margin.
Setting Up Your Own Website Is Easy!
Whether you want to use the affiliate marketing business model, drop shipping, or selling your own products and services, having your own website is hands down the best way to make money online. If you’re feeling intimidated about starting your own website, that’s perfectly normal, but it’s easier than you think! Check out the tutorial below and get your very own website set up today!
Serious about becoming an affilaite marketer? Let's set up your website! It's not as hard as you might think! Just follow these simple step-by-step instructions, and for $2.95 per month, you'll have your own domain name on a WordPress website with discounted Bluehost web hosting. Ready to get started? Let's go!
Step 1: Visit Bluehost.com
If you use
this link you'll get discounted pricing for just $2.95/mo. So click
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visit Bluehost.com.
Bluehost is the #1 recommended
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hosting by WordPress.org. It
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Click the "get started now" button and let’s get started! (see above). Select a hosting plan that fits your needs. (Normally, if you are just starting out I recommend the basic plan but, if you are really serious about this and want more resources & power go with their Prime or Pro plan). Keep in mind, you can always upgrade your plan as you grow.
Step 2: Pick Your Domain Name
Search for a domain with the domain name search tool below. Don’t spend a ton of time on this step, you can always change the domain name later. If you already have a domain name, type it in the "I have a domain name" box. Bluehost is generous enough to throw in a FREE domain name with every new hosting account created.
The next step is to fill out your account and billing information.
Review the package information below and decide what term/add-ons are desired. The biggest bang for your buck is on the 60 month term, but you can choose 36 months, 24 months or 12 months. Please note that Bluehost will charge you upfront for the entire term.
Insert payment information and accept the terms.
Congrats, your hosting account has been created! Bluehost will send you a welcome email.
Create your password. Make sure to review the requirements for creating the password. If you need help you can always click the “Suggest Password” option. Regardless, I recommend notating it just to be safe. You’ll end up needing it later on.
Go ahead and login to start getting familiar with your new Bluehost account.
Step 3: Install Your WordPress Website
Thanks to Bluehost, after your hosting account has been created WordPress will automatically install. Start off by picking a theme, these are all free themes from WordPress.org. You can always update or customize your theme later.
Now that you’ve picked your theme, let’s jump into WordPress and get you even closer to constructing that first blog post.
Decide whether this site will be for business or personal use.
On this step, you’ll see an overview of Bluehost+WordPress integration. You can manage WordPress plugins and blog posts or pages here.
Here’s a revamped dashboard of the Bluehost control panel.
Now you can make your site look how you want! Since you are using WordPress the sky's the limit! If you're looking for a great tutorial on how to build a great looking WordPress site, check out this video.
Start Publishing!
You now have a fully functional WordPress website with a great hosting company! That wasn't so hard, was it!? From this point on, your main task is to publish as much content as possible. This site has tons of tutorials and articles on how to grow your affilaite marketing business, but in order for you to fully understand how to publish content and make money with your affiliate marketing blog, check out this article. Best of luck to you as you grow your business! :) Want even more help? Check out this incredible affiliate marketer training program and community of people growing an affiliate business just like you!
