In part 1, I said that a theme-based website is a site based on
a single theme or concept. Every page of the site concentrates
on a single topic that is related to the theme. Each page
delivers great content on it's topic. We know this type of site
scores with the search engines because it adds value to their
search results. It also scores with visitors who are finding the
valuable information they were looking for. And it scores for
the merchants you represent because it will deliver ready to buy
visitors to their sites. And, of course, you score with big
commission checks.
I'm ready to build a theme-based site. What do I do first?
Choose a theme, of course! For some, this may be very easy. But,
some of us might not have the slightest idea what we could offer
that would be of value to others. Let's brainstorm a bit. Are
you an expert in your field with lots of information to share?
Do you have a hobby that you're passionate about? A favorite
subject you love to read about? Work experience from a current
or previous job? Think about your strengths. What do others come
to you for? Do you, or could you, offer a service? Ask your
friends and relatives. Others may see something that is not so
obvious to you. Don't make the mistake of thinking your theme
must be something "big" and "important". Believe me, many more
people are looking for information on "fly fishing" than "rocket
science"!
Once you have an idea (or two!) for a theme it's time to think
about related topics. Remember, your site is going to consist of
pages that offer content, each on a specific topic that is
related to your theme. Back to the example of my "Italian
cooking" theme. Possible topics included "Italian chefs",
"Italian specialty foods", "Italian cooking methods", Italian
cookware", etc. I want as many related topics as I can find. I
want to build a substantial site, offering my visitors what they
are looking for, lots of valuable content. And lets not forget
the search engines. I want to be sure their spiders are finding
lots of related keywords so that I'm ranked high in their search
results.
Now, I can come up with some topics off the top of my head. But
I've only thought of a few, and how do I know if these are
topics that people will actually search for on the Net? Luckily
there are ways to discover both new ideas for topics AND if
people are going to find you by searching for them. What I'm
going to do is use a "keyword research" tool. These can be found
at some of the engines like Overture or 7Search. Some
pay-per-click advertising providers also have a keyword search
tool, like Brainfox and Google's Adwords. If I use SiteBuildIt!
to build my site, I have the Manager which does all the keyword
searching and brainstorming for me, as well as showing
profitability for each keyword. (You can see screenshots of the
Manager in action by downloading the free SBI! Make Your
SitePresell.. http://freetrial.sitesell.com/assist3.html ).
A keyword search should give me lots of ideas for related topics
for my theme. OK, it threw up some weird, totally unrelated
stuff, too, but I'll just ignore that. What I want are keywords
that suggest a topic that I can write (or find) valuable content
about. For example, my search on "Italian cooking" brought up
"lowfat cooking". Hmm, hadn't thought of that, but a lot of
Italian recipes are low in fat, so perhaps I'll write a page on
this topic. This is called a keyword-focused page, and once I
have 10 or 20 of these, I know that anyone searching for these
and related keywords is going to find my site.
Great, I've got a site based on a theme that I know about and/or
interests me. (If we're talking Italian cooking, we're talking
PASSION!) I've packed it with valuable content on topics closely
related to my theme. My visitors are going to love it, as are
the search engines. But, well..... what about me?
Oh, did I forget? I do love Italian cooking, but I'm building
this theme-based website to earn income. So, at least some of my
pages will offer valuable content that is also designed to
presell. Presell what? Any product, program or service that I
represent as an affiliate. Of course, the product, program or
service needs to "fit" with the content and the theme of my
site. My "Italian cooking" site will include a page on "lowfat
Italian cooking". Within my valuable content, I will recommend a
favorite cookbook on lowfat Italian cooking and provide an
in-text link to a bookseller who will then sell that book to my
visitor. Content on Italian wine will link to a merchant where
my visitor can mail-order Italian wines. Etc, etc.
How do I find the products, programs and services I want to
represent? That is the topic of Part 3 of this series. Trouble
coming up with a theme? Maybe I can help.
mailto:yourhelpline@mail.com
About the author:
Julie Georg is a consultant to individuals and small businesses
interested in establishing a web presence. Step-by-step
directions for building a theme-based site can be found in the
excellent, free Affiliate Masters course. Blank email
mailto:tamsassist3@sitesell.net
