Create your own website and make some money to boot!
(Have you bought your domain name yet? If not, be sure to read my article on How To Register a Domain Name)
First let me say...I work at home FULL time through my website MoneyMakingMommy.com. I created my own website for free! I currently make more money than I did working FULL time as an on-air DJ doing the morning show! It can be done--and it can be done with your kids under foot! Don't doubt yourself---because I had NO real training or help. It CAN be done--I am proof. Is it a lot of work? You betcha--but I control when I work and where I work! It's like stepping outside and breathing fresh air for the first time when you build your own site and start seeing profits from your work. I promise you!
Making money from a website is easier than you think. Most small websites can make from $100 - $4500+ PER MONTH. Depending upon traffic, content and how professional it is. I will detail here how to start, how to make money and where to go to get information on how to market it for nothing. There are many free program out there that allow you to make your own website for free. Tripod and Homestead are just two of the bigger ones. You won't have as much control, like you would using a WYSIWYG software program like Dreamweaver or Frontpage. Keep that in mind. I personally use FrontPage. It took me awhile to get the hang of it. And even after I considered myself no longer a newbie, when I saved up enough money - I had a professional designer come in and make some major changes that I just wasn't capable of.
Network Solutions offers some great website plans for the beginner. You can get a homepage site for as little as $4.95 a month. You can be up and running in no time with one of their plans.
Since 1999, MoneyMakingMommy has been redesigned 6 times! Almost once a year. But in mid-2005 the current design was put into play and I have no desire to change it any time soon. As your site gets bigger, you will feel the same way. It's a HUGE undertaking to move your site into a new design if your site is 100s of pages. So when you start figuring out your site layout, colors - try and get it like you want it the first time. Change is fun and inevitable - but you'll want to start off with something you like and stick with it for awhile.
Don't forget, that these days BLOGS are very popular and so many people are making a killer income with simple blog. There are fabulou blog-wares out there, like WordPress. You can start a blog on anything. Let folks comment on what you're writing about- make it as interactive as possible. Blogs are hot - so pick a passion and run with it.
BUT - if you decide to go the website route and use one of the top software programs - I've heard good things about the newer Coffee Cup Software. They even offer a free version of their HTML editor. They've got lots of free goodies to help you get started in site optimization and more! Download Free Web Design Software Here
First you will need a theme for your website or blog. Free information can be just as profitable as selling a product! You make money with advertisers banners. Affiliate programs can make you a lot of money if you know how to choose and market them correctly. If you are interested in Bird Watching, I am sure thousands of others are too! A book that really helped me understand the whole affiliate program process is Rosiland's.
Rosiland Gardner's eBook is a fantastic resource. She was a full time air traffic controller three and half years ago--now she makes over $450,000 a year JUST selling affiliate program products/resources. I ordered her eBook, and even though I have been working online and have created many websites--I was blown away by her book and the info in it. It's worth every penny! Check outRosiland Gardner's eBook for yourself. Her down to earth style is fabulous! I really admire her. It has been like a website bible for me. I make at least $500 a month from affiliate programs alone. This is done with very little effort by me. I would not endorse this book, if I didn't use it myself.
Now....
Here our some helpful books that I have used over the years:
Create Your First Web Page in a Weekend
This book kicks butt! This book has it all. I wouldn't have been able to create my web page without it. If you run into snags, Mr. Callihan will try to help and give you pointers. If you want to learn HTML, GET THIS BOOK!!!
Easy Web Page Creation
Written for beginners with only basic computer skills, this guide offers non-technical instructions on how to build a Web page or Web site from scratch. Covers basic concepts and background; provides walk-through instructions for creating four Web sites
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Web Page
This is a really super book for someone who is just getting started on making web pages. It has the information you need on how to get things done, and is written in a manner that's pretty easy to follow, and entertaining as well. I highly recommend it if you're a beginner!
More helpful info on starting your own website "business".
If you absolutely do not want to make your own website, check into TemplateMonster, they have over 5000 professionally designed templates in all different types and styles. (These can be a bit pricey - and many people can buy the same design, so no originality!)
GoDaddy is a decent place to find a domain name. Instead of trying to think of a catchy domain name- they can help you figure out a good one! I've used GoDaddy forever. I own over 150 domain names - and most are hosted or parked at GoDaddy. (They even have domain names for $1.99!!)
There is also another site I've used in the past called Dotster.
I recommend the following place for hosting:
GoDaddy - They offer some Fabulous deals! If you're on a budget and want one stop service. They are awesome. One of the most trusted and largest out there.
Affiliate Programs can help you start generating income relatively easily, once you start getting some traffic to your website. They are FREE to join and you get to pick the advertisers you want to feature on your site! Here are some of the BEST places on the net to get hooked up with advertisers:
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