Campsite Affiliate Programs

Aiden Roberts · May 21, 2011

Hi All,

I am fairly new to affiliate marketing and could really do with some advice. I have started building minisites but am struggling with monetisation. I am trying to create a site with the main theme being "Luxury Camping Holidays" but:

1, Should I simply write the content discussing the topic and rely on Adsense for income?

2, Should I try and sell site listings to site owners directly, if so how can I automate this in terms of site listings or should I do it manually?

3, Does anybody know of affiliate programs that deal with "Luxury Camping Holidays" or any camping holidays for that matter?

4, Has anybody got any examples of a site I can look at, I don't want to steal your ideas just something to focus my plan?

I am starting to think this project maybe too ambitious for me at this stage in my domain business, although I do like a challenge :-?

Any advice will be very much appreciated.

Thank You

Aiden

Aegean · May 21, 2011

Well Aiden,

In my own opinion I would say build your minisite and concentrate on trying to achieve good positions on Google etc. Monetising the site can follow on from that.

Aiden Roberts · May 21, 2011

Thank you both,

I have just been taking another look at it and to be honest it's a real mish mash at the moment and obviously needs more work.

It's trying to sell advertising space, domain names and get Adsense clicks?

Granted I only had a go at building it last night and it's my first attempt at any kind of minisite but I have lost my focus so your advice is priceless.

I know I am unable to place a link to it here for appraisal so will just keep plodding along.

Thanks again

Aiden

theonemanyuri · May 21, 2011

What domain is it?

Aiden Roberts · May 21, 2011

It's on here at the moment. Iam wondering whether to develop it and how?

cc976a · May 21, 2011

Maybe just my 'old fashioned' views and although it looks ok - promoting luxury top end of any industry on a cheap blogger or Wordpress theme just doesn't sit right

It looks ok for information but to turn this in to a business to attract visitors and paying advertisers it's going to need to look special

If you're happy with a few bucks a month from adsense it will probably do

Aiden Roberts · May 21, 2011

Thank You!

This is why I love this forum, it didn't even cross my mind that selling top end doesn't sit right with free or cheap template (seriously it didn't).

I mentioned earlier that this project maybe too big for me and I think I was right, that said I am beginning to think with more effort it is possible. I do like the idea of a portal for luxury holiday accommodation (non hotel).

Back to the drawing board for me

Thanks

Aiden

cc976a · May 21, 2011

That's a freshing response - rather from the usual 'I know best' rant which has become the norm of late.

It's a good idea. There are a lot of campsites investing heavily in better amenities for those that like camping but not the back to basics approach.

If you have learnt any HTML / PHP / CSS so far (and if not I'd advise understanding the basics) you can buy good looking templates and build a site. Keep the blog for now, add some content and get listed and ranked but in the background start work - then replace what you have.

Unless you're really lucky I can't see what you gave turning in to what you want - but you seem to have the right attitude towards this so keep persevering

doodlebug · May 21, 2011

It's good that you keep listening Aiden

Your site says holidays in the UK but you use the word vacation :?

Aiden Roberts · May 21, 2011

Thank you for your kind words and advice, I do appreciate it.

You are right and before I came back to this post that is exactly what I have started to do, at present it will be a way of promoting my camping domain names for sale, if they sell I can concentrate on .uk. I have a lot to learn in relation to building sites but don't mind a challenge so plenty of homework for me.

@doodlebug- you are absolutely right "told you I was a newbie"; thanks.

Aiden

websaway · May 21, 2011

Aiden Roberts said:
Thank you for your kind words and advice, I do appreciate it.

You are right and before I came back to this post that is exactly what I have started to do, at present it will be a way of promoting my camping domain names for sale, if they sell I can concentrate on .uk. I have a lot to learn in relation to building sites but don't mind a challenge so plenty of homework for me.

@doodlebug- you are absolutely right "told you I was a newbie"; thanks.

Aiden

I'm planning on developing Campsites org uk so it's been an interesting read.

Aiden Roberts · May 21, 2011

Thanks websaway

Discusssing it on here has focussed my mind somewhat, I have jigged the site around a bit, added some more content, taken off the advertising option and put the domain name up for sale.

I have included all of my camping/travel orientated domains because I want to get something back for them and invest in .uk names. Take a look at the sale page on the site as I have 4x.com, 2x .info and 1x .mobi, they may be of interest.

All that's left for me to do now is get analytics on it and forward the domain name, maybe a big holiday company will come in and buy the lot (in my dreams).

Thanks

Aiden

websaway · May 21, 2011

Aiden Roberts said:
Thanks websaway

Discusssing it on here has focussed my mind somewhat, I have jigged the site around a bit, added some more content, taken off the advertising option and put the domain name up for sale.

I have included all of my camping/travel orientated domains because I want to get something back for them and invest in .uk names. Take a look at the sale page on the site as I have 4x.com, 2x .info and 1x .mobi, they may be of interest.

All that's left for me to do now is get analytics on it and forward the domain name, maybe a big holiday company will come in and buy the lot (in my dreams).

Thanks

Aiden

Luxurycampingholidays com is a good name but you should really have had the co uk

I believe this business is not for the faint hearted it's very competitive and you should always find reasons to be positive, anyone who is successful in any business has to remain focused. Never dream, always have different income streams to fall back on. But most of all, allways be prepared to hold a domain in a boom and bust world for 5 to 10 years and always have a plan to develop a percentage of your names. You rarely see really good domains to register, that's because the people who registered them early are resiliant .

Aiden Roberts · May 21, 2011

Good advice thank you,

I have developed my plan during today by accident really but simply talking to sensible people like yourself focuses the mind.

I need to:

Sell off non .uk names
Learn how to build websites
Buy .uk names
Build websites
Monetise websites
Sit on websites and promote
Sell names and websites
Keep listening and learning

Sounds easy when I put it like that

Thanks again

Aiden

retired_member32 · May 23, 2011

yes i would change the theme ,i thought my eyes were failing me when i clicked on the link and saw the background...

there is lots of money to be made in this sector and always remember that there are many avenues to enter...insurance for motorhome ,campervans and camping ,parts and accessories for all these sectors = kerching