advice/input about affiliate website

[chayton]

I know there are a few members here who run their own casino affiliate portals and I've been debating doing the same thing, but I'm interested in learning something about it first. I know there's more to it than buying a domain and slapping a zillion banners on it, although I've seen sites like that out there.

Any input or advice? Anything I should read? Is there too much competition? Is it too late to ride the casino gravy train?

[dendrite]

I think most webmasters will tell you there is still money to be made. I was at an affiliate conference in January and the overall opinion is still that there is plenty of scope to make money even for people new to the game

It's hard work though, and it does take time. If you want to make a living out of it, then it really is a full time job. Most webmasters I met at the conference that make a living out if were working 10h hours+ a day. Some of them seemed to be working 14 hours+, seven days a week!

Number one is to develop a great site - the sort of website that you as a player would click on and think 'yes, this is just what I came looking for'

The other big thing is to get good traffic - that means attracting visitors that are genuinely looking to play for real money. That's pretty tricky, especially in the first year as it takes a long time to get the site developed and to get the search engines to take notice of you in order to build up traffic

Possibly the best places to look for an introduction to the business would be the GPWA and CAP website forums

[KasinoKing]

^ Exactly what he said!
I've put 1000's of hours into my sites, and basically nothing much happened for the first year.
Over 2 years on & I still can't live off it. Not trying to put anyone off - if you have plenty of spare time and are interested in it more as a hobby - then give it a go!
Basically you have nothing to lose, except time.

[SlotsWizard]

Imagine a job where:

(a) You work for free
(b) People try to steal everything you have created
(c) People try to spam your site or bring down your server, and
(d) Players blame you for having lost money at an online casino

That's what it's like to be an affiliate.

[GaryWatson]

Number one is to develop a great site - the sort of website that you as a player would click on and think 'yes, this is just what I came looking for'

That is the answer. Its not a get rich scheme. The others may have put you off but if you follow dendrite's advice, it is a step in the right directiom.

PS I want a $1 per reply, im a skint affiliate

[SlotsWizard]

And for some real advice, I think the key is to make a niche site. Don't try to make a site which is too general. Make a site catered to a specific type of player, and focus on the keywords related to that niche.

[chayton]

And for some real advice, I think the key is to make a niche site. Don't try to make a site which is too general. Make a site catered to a specific type of player, and focus on the keywords related to that niche.

Yes that's what I was thinking! But to come up with the right niche....obviously it has to be something I know something about, so how to win at online gaming is out. (she says with a brave smile)

But you've given me something to think about. Thanks everyone for the responses, you've been very helpful.

p.s. If I ever make a buck I'll send it to Gary.

[Simmo!]

Some of my thoughts in bullet point form, some of which have been covered. That's all good advice above by the way

1. Pick a topic you know well
2. Make your text and reviews honest and not promotional. If a casino does something not quite as good as you'd expect (ie: slow payouts), tell the player. Best they make the decisions while they are on your site rather than be disappointed after you've lost them! Which leads me to...
3. ...manage player expectations. Don't over-hype a casino. Best to under-hype them and have the player get more than he/she expected when they get there. Balance!
4. Don't over-rely on bonuses selling it for you. The WR can often contradict (3) above. Unless you tell them the WR first of course
5. Learn the basics about SEO before you start
6. Get to the point as quickly as possible in your text.
7. Send players to good casinos! Don't be swayed by affiliate $$. 10% from a top notch casino is potentially far more rewarding than 100% from a crap one. A happy player = a happy affiliate.
8. Understand your audience. If you are aiming at a High Limit Blackjack player, then advertising a $100 bonus is not likely to be a selling point. If you're going for new UK slots players, then "slot machines" is better terminology than "bonus slots". Etc.


Too many online businesses think about the "business" before they consider the "customer". Bad business. If you can get the player what they want, then you'll more than likely get what you want, but it rarely works the other way round. Managing expectations is a fundamental rule in business. No-one gets it perfect, but those who get the "balance" right are the ones that survive.

[winbig]

Imagine a job where:

(a) You work for free
(b) People try to steal everything you have created
(c) People try to spam your site or bring down your server, and
(d) Players blame you for having lost money at an online casino

That's what it's like to be an affiliate.

Don't forget:

(e) You pull your hair out trying to figure out the changes Google/yahoo/msn made overnight to cause your site to be dropped from the first page.

[Casinomeister]

..
Too many online businesses think about the "business" before they consider the "customer". Bad business. If you can get the player what they want, then you'll more than likely get what you want, but it rarely works the other way round...

Good point - the industry revolves around the player. No player = no industry.

You need to find a niche or area that is relatively untouched by anyone that could be deemed as competition. Do something different - the industry needs variance, diversity and creativity.

There are some tips and guidance here on the main site:
http://www.casinomeister.com/affiliate.php

And Simmos! Essential FAQ
http://www.casinomeister.com/casino-...iates-help.php
http://www.casinomeister.com/casino-...ates-howto.php