How to Build a Profitable eBay Affiliate Web Site

October 4, 2008 – 10:02 pm

There is an exciting and easy to use PHP script that has been on the market for a while called Build A Niche Store, better known as BANS. This script will allow you to make a niche website selling products through eBay’s affiliate programs. eBay, in my opinion, has one of the best affiliate programs, with payouts of 50% of eBay’s revenue. BANS lets you create your own eBay affiliate website very quickly, and you do not have to carry inventory or ship any products. Moreover, your site looks like an eBay page, and you have the option to customize it even further as well. The script comes with 8 or 9 template styles for you to customize, but I personally do not use them. There are individuals making BANS templates that are very inexpensive, often in the $10.00 to $15.00 range, and most of them are really attractive. In addition, you can further monetize your site by placing other affiliate banners or text in the sidebars There are many arguments and opinions on placing Google Adsense on these sites, and my personal opinion is not to do so. I’ll explain why a little later in the article.

Before you begin your first, or any site, let me add a word of caution based on my experience. I have been using BANS for about 10 months, and the absolute most important thing you must do first is to research the product niche and keywords that you will use to promote. Don’t pick a niche just because a certain keyword has 10,000 searches a month, for instance. Your competition is going to be intense and it is doubtful that you will place in the top 10 on a Google search for that particular search term in your lifetime. Do the research and look for those lower number of searches, but still high enough to warrant putting up a web site. My own rule of thumb now is at least 50 searches a day and under 50,000 competing sites. Three or four of my first sites that I put up, my research, or lack thereof, was not done properly and I chose keywords that were far too competitive, and as a result, the sites don’t do well at all. I’ll work on those later…I enjoy working on new sites right now and average one new site each week. Also, and extremely important, is to get your site linked with inbound links as early and quickly as possible. I have not done any reciprocal linking with my BANS sites, and have had some indexed in about 10 days, using other methods of linking.

After you do extensive and proper research and find a niche, then it is time to purchase a domain name, and not before. Try to get a domain name that contains your primary keyword, and yet is easy to remember. I personally only purchase .com or .net TLD’s, and it usually isn’t difficult to find a .com. Often times, when those names and the many variations of your primary keyword aren’t available, that particular niche might be too saturated. The next thing you have to do is find a web host that works well with BANS. I had to change several of my early sites as they didn’t function properly with the hosting company. The two hosts that I use now for BANS are Bluehost and Hostgator, with Bluehost being my favorite. They have everything that you need for BANS Ver. 3, and setup is extremely easy. I’m not an affiliate of either one, so this is a Free plug for them.

A word of caution here! As you read various articles and squeeze pages from some BANS affiliates, you need to put it all in perspective. If they say that they are making a $1,000.00 a week consistently with 10 sites, they generally are guilty of embellishment (Trying to be kind). My own personal goal is to average $2.00 a day per site. As you put up more BANS sites, which is the main idea, by shear volume, you will then have a nice residual income. There are a small number of individuals that really hit on an undiscovered and lucrative niche, and hit it big, but thus far mine are very close to hitting the goals. BANS affiliates were previously serviced by Commission Junction which worked very well. eBay decided to set up eBay Partners Network (EPN), and administer their own affiliate program. Some individuals felt that they weren’t getting credit for all of their clicks and sales, and filed complaints. I watched mine closely and I feel that it was a very smooth transition for me, with no apparent problems. There just isn’t sufficient space here to tell you all of the benefits of BANS, and the income potential if you really work at it. I could probably write a book on my experiences with BANS, but perhaps another day.

As I mentioned above, regarding not placing Google Adsense on a Bans’s site, there have been many instances of sites being de-indexed by Google, for being a thin affiliate site. However, I think the de-indexing was due more to the lack of relevant content on the site, and not so much the Google Adsense. After all, if you strip out the affiliate eBay pages, what’s left if you have no relevant content? Until I am able to study this further, I will err on the side of caution, and not use Google Adsense. I have been placing five to ten relevant articles on each Bans site, plus obtaining inbound links from directories & social bookmarking, & thus far all is well.

After a review of the Bans script, and as a user for about ten months, I endorse this product and have no hesitation in recommending it. When you purchase the program, you also have full use of their excellent forum, where free help and advice is always available. Additionally, you will find services and templates available from other members, at very low prices. The actual cost of the Bans program is very reasonable in price, and that cost can be recovered very quickly by a few eBay sales. Don’t delay, join many others that have set up eBay stores and are enjoying a nice income.

To become a profitable eBay affiliate, Build A Niche Store – Succeed As An eBay Affiliate

eBay Coupons Codes – Where to Get Them.

October 3, 2008 – 8:42 am

How to Get eBay Coupons.

Coupons from eBay sent by email are a rare site indeed, and only a few will ever get them. These coupons are just like cash that you can use towards anything you buy on eBay – the only conditions being that you pay using PayPal, and that you are using eBay in the USA, Canada or the UK.

There are two ways to get eBay coupons.

One – you can just wait for an email.

Of course, if you just wait, you’ll be waiting for a long time. The trick is to make eBay want to send you one, by looking like you’re the type of person they want to entice to come back. After you open a new account, you can buy a few things and then don’t purchase anything else for awhile, then the chances are you might get a coupon of some kind.

Go Searching.

However, the best way is to search the web for coupons that you can use on eBay. This can be hit-and-miss, as eBay don’t always have an offer on, but when there’s a valid code you can guarantee that it’ll be everywhere within a few hours. Just type “eBay coupon codes” into your favorite search engine, but be prepared to pick through some rubbish. You might find you have better luck if you use a more obscure search engine, where people haven’t taken the trouble to get the results.

If going through search engines is too much for you, then just keep an eye out at any community forums you frequent, where someone might just post one. People that use eBay’s own forum at: http://hub.ebay.com/community; will usually have the best chance of getting one. It can be fun and educational to chat to the regulars there too, so you really have nothing to lose.

Redeeming Coupons, Which Way is Best?

First make sure your coupon is valid, by checking to see if it has a long code to it or bar code on it. All you need to do, is pay with PayPal as usual for the item you want and use the coupon towards it. After you choose PayPal as your payment method, you will notice a heading that says: Coupons, Gift Certificates on eBay and eBay Anything Points. Select that field and type in the coupon code, if the code is really long you can use the copy and paste function to make sure you don’t miss a number. Then click on ’Redeem’ and your all set!

Don’t worry about causing problems for sellers by doing this, as eBay just pays them for the item as usual. Coupons are good for sellers as they attract more buyers to eBay, meaning that they get more bids on their auctions.

eBay now has a new resource they offer to their customers that are interested in more affordable shopping and that is that, customers can now purchase items on credit. From coupons to credit, eBay shopping is now easier and more exciting for everyone.

Online Auctions Make for Easier Buying and Selling

October 3, 2008 – 8:42 am

Online auctions are likely the most accessible, quickest, and easiest means of buying what you want from the comfort of your own home. For those who are always on the go, buying products from online auctions provides them with the most convenient means of shopping for a huge variety of items.

A great number of people today find that buying products online is an ideal way to go shopping, for a variety of reasons. People everywhere can now have access to merchandise that would normally be very difficult to purchase in their immediate areas. These days, online auctions are so popular that just about everybody has heard of them, and probably even tried them.

How to Start Selling

Selling products through an online auction is very simple. Simply find a site that appeals to you and register for an account. Although most of these sites are free, you’ll find that some of them charge a fee. Be aware, however, that those sites which charge a fee often have advantages that justify the cost.

Next, you have to decide which items you would like to sell. For instance, begin by selling those bits and pieces around the house that are collecting dust and taking up space. Once you have some experience, you might want to start shopping at garage sales, discount stores and factory outlets for merchandise that you can re-sell and make a profit from your online auction.

Before putting any items up for sale, be sure to read over the terms and conditions of the online auction site and make note of your responsibilities and possible liabilities. To steer clear of any problems with a customer, establish a policy of straightforward and honest transactions.

Getting Started With Buying

Making a purchase from an online auction is considerably easier than selling your items. Similar to selling, you have to register at whichever site interests you; once you have an account you can start bidding on items of interest. Check the reviews and feedback of the seller before you place a bid. This is valuable information as you make a decision on whether the vendor is trustworthy and can deliver as promised.

Once you have established the credibility of the seller, it’s time for you to make a bid and hope to get a good price. To avoid overspending, set a maximum bid; this way your purchase won’t be overpriced in terms of your time, effort and cash.

Online auctions provide you with better access to the things that you want to buy. If you keep in mind some basic precautions, shopping can become so much more convenient.

Finding EBay Top Selling Items

October 1, 2008 – 7:42 am

Would you like to find out how to make money off EBay? The entire process begins by knowing if whether or not your products will sell. If you do not have this element in place, then there is basically very little that you can do. To determine if those wonderful products of yours will sell or not, some knowledge of actual sales data will be needed. The good news is that this information can be quick and easy to obtain when you have some experience using the available tools on their site such as eBay Market Research and eBay Sales Report.

Those who have yet to learn how to make money selling on eBay should never try to omit this vital step of the process. Believe it or not, it is just not a great idea to simply list your products to see if there is a good market and an appropriate price. They should only test after conducting some research to identifying products and pricing targets. You need to have some historic data to work from.

One of the major keys to success is to perform research before ever purchasing items for resale on eBay. You have got to use historic sales data to pinpoint the most appropriate pricing. You must assess competitors who market the very same items. You have to know as much about the marketplace for a certain item as possible before you start to sell. Conducting market research is one of the most important steps if you really want to know how to make money selling on eBay.

Many brand new EBay sellers will make the mistake of thinking that they already know the worth of their products. They become so sure of themselves that they move forward without researching their market. They do not bother to look at competitors in the marketplace and the actual sales data for their products.

Collecting Antique Mantle Clocks- A Great Hobby

September 30, 2008 – 7:10 pm

Mantle clocks are a good way to add beauty and sophistication to your home or to your collection. Collecting mantle clocks can be a fun and rewarding hobby for anyone, however, it can be a very costly hobby if you have a taste for expensive mantle clocks. There are mantle clocks in every style to suit everyone’s pocketbook, but watch out for the reproductions, novelty or modern day clocks, and those that aren’t antiques at all. When your goal is to collect antique mantle clocks, you must research the topic, including the kinds of clocks available and a possible budget for your purchases.

Cuckoo clocks, alarm clocks and grandfather clocks are examples of the various kinds of antique mantle clocks you might consider buying. Limiting what you are looking for will help you decide whether you wish to add a particular mantle clock to your own collection. Ideally each piece in your collection should have something unique about it while also complementing every other piece that you have. You do not want to find yourself asking what one piece in the group has to do with all of the other items, nor be embarrassed by another collector that you are showing your collection to. You may be at an auction where there is a bargain on a rare Mickey Mouse antique mantle clock, but why buy it if it does not fit in with your other pieces? However, if the auction price is very low, and you plan to sell it, it’s a different story.If you’re thinking of buying a new piece, consider how it may fit in with your collection and the overall goals you have for collecting mantle clocks.  

Lots of people agree that collecting antique mantle clocks can be be enjoyable and even make them some money, too. This can be possible, but there are some mistakes which you will want to avoid. First, since this type of collection is very popular, many replicas or copies of well-known pieces exist that you need to look out for. Some are so similar to the original that it can be hard to tell the difference, especially if you are a novice. Do extensive research before you buy a particular mantle clock, read the fine print, both online and in books or magazines before you purchase an expensive piece. It would be terrible to believe that you have found a true bargain only to find out you purchased an expensive knockoff. If you can, hire a professional appraiser to estimate the value of the antique mantle clock before spending money on it.

You are not likely to find a unique antique mantle clock online or at a garage sale, at least not one that cannot also be found elsewhere. While it is possible, it is more likely that there other places to find it. If you are sure that one particular piece is what you want to purchase, investigate pricing and options for buying it before going ahead. You may discover the very same thing — maybe a clock even in better condition and for less money is for sale somewhere else. The only way you will know is if you investigate. Have fun collecting antique mantle clocks, but, recognize the many pitfalls that might face you as a novice, and do your research before you buy a mantle clock, especially a costly item.

Wholesale Lots, Products and Merchandise Auctions

September 29, 2008 – 10:17 pm

Maybe I’m nuts, but wholesale merchandise and I have no idea yet how many. wholesale products has no popular appeal.

It’s tried and true. No guts no glory. In reality it can take years. This is my guide to wholesale lot. I need to put my heart into it. Here’s a long story made short. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Who else has wholesale lot. I don’t want folks to start wholesale products on their wholesale products. You are the lucky one.

Whatever. Did I do the right thing.

It has legs and can go really far. You should keep on top of it. How easy is that. It’s simple folks and it’s right in front of you.. It could not be surprising if you used wholesale lot to be inclusive. This is easy and the regular readers here already know this. You have to do that for yourself. Here’s a brief list of things about wholesale lot. I am a huge fan of wholesale lot. I don’t want to belabor the point, but here are the disclosures on wholesale merchandise. How did wholesale merchandise begin. I can think of many reasons for wholesale products. Sure wholesale merchandise is obvious but worth emphasizing. A wholesale lot a day keeps the doctor away. I know, finally. I’m not saying too much wholesale products is bad.

wholesale merchandise is a diamond in the rough. You know, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. This is all fine and dandy. You need better wholesale lot. Speaking of wholesale products and I’m still undecided on this.

I had decided that I would take a scattered shotgun approach. The shoe is on the other foot now. Let’s go back to the basics of wholesale lot.

I know you didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. Oh, for Pete’s sake. Curiosity killed the cat. I know it sounds ridiculously time consuming but wholesale lot is worth it. This could be a gem. Here is the scoop. I allegedly can know wholesale lot.

How long have you been at it. You need to think outside the box.

wholesale products would be a critical moment for wholesale lot if it wasn’t so vague.

You almost have to disagree, but wholesale merchandise also affects things.

How can you make sure that if you used wholesale lot to detract from wholesale merchandise. Well, in a sense that is true but the vital wholesale merchandise is most likely left out. Yeah, well, don’t call us, we’ll call you. Now that’s the sort of thing I really love. Here’s what you can expect from wholesale merchandise. I hope this is not off the beaten trail. wholesale products comes high on my list. This is a showstopper. Whatever it takes. You don’t really know wholesale products yet. Gimme a break. As a friend I would urge you to proceed cautiously if there was a way to create more wholesale products effectively. My motto is to do everything as fast as possible. Here’s an experiment.

The Benefits Of A Surplus Auction

September 29, 2008 – 9:42 pm

Kansas auctions

When the quantity of something is larger than required, a surplus auction is held. They are used as a means of disposing surplus items by allowing prospective buyers to bid on them. These auctions may be used to dispose of everything from electronics and computer equipment to furniture and vehicles.

During surplus GSA auctions, bidders are able to make bids on the items up for sale. A lot of the time large volumes of items are offered at these auctions and so therefore often times a lot of money is spent in a single buy. Many of the times they are government and private organizations, that gain control of these auctions to get rid of their surplus property.

If you are interested in going to a surplus auction yourself, then the first thing you are going to have to do is actually find one. There are various organizations and companies that will assist you in this aspect to make it simpler to search for different surplus auctions that are present in your area.

Government Liquidation

This is one company in particular that is extremely helpful in assisting one to find Alabama state auctions. They are recognized as being one of the leading online marketplaces for the sale of U.S. scrap material and government surplus to the public. They offer over five hundred different commodity categories and thousands of different surplus items are constantly being added. So whether you are starting a business, expanding a new one, or just on the lookout for some great surplus items, then you are definitely going to want to go through the Government Liquidation Company.

GSA Auctions

This is another great company offering information on surplus auction opportunities around the country. Just a few of the categories that they specialize in are: aircraft and aircraft parts, computer equipment and accessories, fire trucks and firefighting equipment, industrial machinery, lab equipment, trailers and tractors, vehicles, photographic equipment, motorcycles and bicycles, furniture, construction equipment, boats and marine equipment, electrical and electronic equipment and components, agricultural equipment and supplies, and communication equipment.

Going to a surplus auction can be very beneficial, not only because you will be able to buy in large quantities, which is especially good if you are buying for a business, but as well because you will generally be able to save yourself a great deal of money.

Government Auction Tips On Buying An Automobile

September 29, 2008 – 9:42 pm

Southern California auto auction

If you want get a good car during a government automobile auction, you need to do your homework well. Always remember that you will not be the only person who will be bidding during the government seized property auction so you should be well prepared for the competition. Never be complacent about anything. It makes no difference if you’ve been to an auto auction before, there’s no assurance you’ll get what you are looking for. The key to getting a good automobile during an auction is to be very vigilant.

Determine The Quality Before Placing Your Bid

Careful planning is very important if you want to join a Southern California auto auction. First, you will need to determine the mileage and history of the car. The auction administrator should be able to provide you with this information. Why do you need to know the history of the car? Cars that have not been property maintained by their previous owners will most likely have more problems compared to those cars that have been well maintained. Furthermore, cars that have been involved in accidents in the past will most likely have more internal problems compared to those cars that have not been involved in accidents. Always remember that accidents, even if not so violent as to wreck the car completely will always affect the condition of the car. The jarring that the car received during the accident will most likely affect some of its internal parts in some ways. Although these defects may not manifest themselves right away, sooner or later, these defects will later on show.

Aside from learning about the history and mileage of the car, you should also make it a point to physically inspect the car before the auction. In most cases, the cars will be available for viewing about two days before the automobile auction is schedule so go to the display center and inspect the car thoroughly. To make certain all is working well with the windows and doors, you must open and close them and look/listen for problems. Look under the car find out if there are no leaks. Be alert of any newly painted parts because that could be a sign that the owner is trying to cover something.

To determine how much you will bid on particular car during an automobile auction, ask an expert to take a look at the car first. The expert will give you an approximation whether the vehicle is priced reasonably.

A Guide to Buying Collectible Antique Clocks Online

September 29, 2008 – 9:42 pm

Many people love collecting antiques, and is a passion that they know all to well. This is the same passion that people collecting antique clocks share as well. They would go out of their way just to find the best items, however, with the advent of the Internet, many of these people have discovered the convenience of buying collectible antique clocks online.

Most of the antique clocks made from the 15th century to the mid 17th century can be found in museums. Only a small number of these clocks are privately owned. Fortunately, with the Internet, many people have now better chances of gaining access to these clocks online.

There are more clocks made from the 1800s to the 1900s. These clocks were made in mass quantities so you will find them easily online.

Buying collectible antique clocks online differ from buying them in the conventional manner. You will find clocks that are worth well over $60,000. You will find models that are priced over $100,000. It is wise to get hold of a clock appraisal before you actually purchase a certain item.

Collecting and buying collectible antique clocks online is not that easy. If you are new to antique clock collection, you will be surprised to know that there are a lot of things that you need to do or to research before making a purchase. This is especially true these days because there is a widespread proliferation of reproductions, knock offs and fakes. If you are not an experienced collector, you could end up confused or worse, scammed.

Before venturing into buying collectible antique clocks online, you need to term the terms used by antique sellers and enthusiasts. Knowing the language and antique collection jargons will help you make your decisions.

There are also several things that you need to take into consideration before you purchase any item online. First of all, you need to know the history of a particular piece. This is where buying collectible antique clocks online can be a bit challenging. Most of antique items come with an expensive price tag so you cannot afford to be careless when you are making your purchases. Do not buy antique clocks that are defective. Make sure that it is carefully preserved and well-taken care of to ensure that you are paying for good value.

It is very important, therefore, that you do your research before you buy any item. The Internet is a good reference. You will find valuable information about antique pieces. You will also know the history of certain items. The need for research before buying collectible antique clocks online has always been emphasized by experienced collectors.

Of course, you also have to make sure that your online seller is trustworthy and reputable. You cannot be careless with your money. Do a background check of the online seller before you purchase anything. There are online auctions that you can check and join. You will often find great items from these online auction houses.

With the advent of the Internet, buying antique items has never been easier. As long as you are careful with your purchase, there is no reason why you should not consider buying collectible antique clocks online.

How To Collect Vintage Mantle Clocks – Look Out For Fakes

September 29, 2008 – 9:42 pm

A stylish and attractive feature for any home, mantle clocks are well worth collecting. Acquiring mantle clocks can be a gratifying and enjoyable experience for anyone, but if you decide to collect the more rare mantle clocks, your purchase are apt to be more costly. You need to be very knowledgeable when collecting vintage mantel clocks because many replicas or reproductions exist. Many of them are not really antiques, only clocks that are made to look like items from the past, and unfortunately, there are unscrupulous individuals that will try to deceive you. There are three things you must consider if you collect vintage mantel clocks:  your budget, the type of clock you want to collect, and the amount of knowledge you have about each piece.

There is such a variety of vintage mantel clocks to be had you might want to be very selective as to which type you collect. When creating a collection of items, ensure that each one is unique. Each piece in your collection should complement each other and also look good by itself. Try to select pieces that are somewhat alike so that all pieces stand on their own but do not clash with the other clocks. Depending on the type of vintage mantel clocks you collect, some, as an example, a Mickey Mouse mantel clock, might not fit in with your collection very well. Be familiar with your collection, where it will fit and what you set out to accomplish when deciding to buy a new piece.

Countless individuals feel that the collection of vintage mantle clocks is an entertaining and lucrative hobby. Like any type of collecting of antiques, you must be very cautious of the pitfalls. Unfortunately, copies of popular pieces made may be easily available because of this type of collecting. Some modern reproductions of antique mantel clocks are made so well that it is hard to tell the antique from the reproduction. I cannot emphasize this enough, do your research before buying. You can do most research online before purchasing a particular item, for the essential features of that particular piece. The worst thing that could happen to you is that you accidentally purchase a modern reproduction at the same cost as an original vintage mantel clock. Before you make your purchase, if at all possible, try to obtain an independent appraisal of the antique mantle clock you intend to purchase.

Very seldom do you find a unique, one-of-a-kind antique mantle clock through an online auction or at a garage sale. If there is a particular piece you want, always try and shop around before purchasing it as you might get a better deal. Also if there is a particular piece that you are looking for, you should do extensive research prior to purchasing it to ensure you get an original. Possibly you will locate an identical item somewhere else and it may be in even better condition and cost less. Enjoy your new hobby of collecting antique mantle clocks – it can be a fun and rewarding experience! Research prospective purchases carefully before making a commitment, especially for costly items, keeping in mind that it is easy to make mistakes when you first start out.