A quick tip to help you earn more with some affiliate programs…

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Over the recent months I’ve gotten several requests from people who want me to review their travel-related websites.

Many of them are Site Build It! (SBI!) customers looking for suggestions on how to improve their site, make more money, etc.

I was just thinking the other day, “Wow, why so many travel related sites?”

Then it dawned on me…

While researching SBI!, many of these people probably came across and were inspired by anguilla-beaches.com – the heavily trafficked Site Build It! site created by teenager, Nori Evoy.

Site Stats:

PageRank: 6
Alexa Rank: 53,000
Ranks #1 in Google for “anguilla beaches”

Anguilla-Beaches.com is a perfect example of what to do when you create a travel-related affiliate website.

Not only does it help you plan your perfect Anguilla vacation, but there are personal stories and recommendations written by Nori that make the site feel real and definitely worth bookmarking.

This is not just your average travel info website. It’s an inviting site obviously written by someone who is enthusiastic about their favorite vacation spot and visits there often.

What’s even better, is that it doesn’t even look like an affiliate site. You don’t see Google ads before you see the main content. There aren’t annoying banners yelling for you to “click here!” and there’s nothing “pitchy” about her writing tone.

The opening paragraph gives you the impression this site is here to entertain and inform you on the island of Anguilla, nothing more. A good affiliate information website should never appear as if the #1 goal is to sell something.

Where People Go Wrong

Many Webmasters who create travel-oriented websites simply re-write content you can find anywhere.

Unfortunately that’s not enough to keep the average person interested – especially when they know they can go to tripadvisor.com to get similar information.

Airport information, embedded Google maps, basic restaurant and hotel information is all too generic and overdone in my opinion.

Nori includes hotel information on her site, but she does things most people don’t…

1) Her detailed review of the room, food, and landscaping draws you in and makes you feel you’re there.

2) Her writing style is personal and inviting. You feel that she is talking to you instead of at you. I cannot emphasize enough how your writing affects the level of “visitor engagement” on your site.

(Tip: Need a refreshers course? Download Make Your Words Sell. It’s now free. Yippeee!)

3) She adds pictures that she’s personally taken instead of using generic pictures found on the Web. Your audience wants to know that you’ve actually experienced what you’re talking about.

It makes a difference when you can walk the walk.

Be Original

If you’re going to build a site about “things to do in New York”, don’t just put up generic information that people can find on newyork.com.

First of all, narrow your niche enough to give yourself a better chance of being found in the search engines. Plus, the more narrow your niche is, the easier it will be to target content, affiliate programs, etc.

Instead of building a site about New York, why not narrow it down to something like “New York transportation.” Many first-time New York travelers are often anxious about getting around the fast-moving city.

You could ease their minds and provide an “insiders guide” to getting around the city. Using your own experience and useful tips, you can educate travelers how to use the subway, taxi tips and other little known facts that the average traveler may not know or be able to find (easily) online.

Choose destinations where you can add as much personal experience as possible. This is another reason it’s good to pick locations you really know or visit often because you can go above and beyond just the basic information that generic travel info sites provide.

This Doesn’t Just Apply to Travel Sites

Of course you could apply this advice to any topic. You have to learn to set yourself apart from your competition, or you’ll get lost in a see of “already-done” websites.

I felt compelled to discuss the travel niche because I see so many Webmasters making the same mistakes when they create destination websites.

Even though Nori’s site has been around awhile, you can still learn a lot from her technique. In my opinion, it’s a brilliantly done affiliate website. Mainly because it doesn’t look like one.

Remember, being successful with an affiliate site or blog goes beyond just putting up generic information. People bookmark sites because they are useful, fresh and provide unique information that can’t be found everywhere.

Whether your site is on travel or another topic, what can you do today to make it stand out like Nori did? Are you adding enough of your own personal experiences to make your site seem real? Is your writing inviting? Creative?

If not, maybe it’s time to re-work your content, add more personal touches and provide information that can only be found on your website.

While there are several reasons some affiliate websites never get off the ground, here’s a few reasons I believe many people struggle with affiliate marketing…

You know you’re doing something right when people ask you to provide them with your affiliate link before they buy a product.

That’s what happened today in my forum, WebsiteBabble.com. And to be honest, it’s not the first time I’ve been asked.

In my opinion, this says so much about the importance of PREselling a product. When you give useful information, build credibility by actually proving you use the product… you’ll find many people will WANT to make sure you earn the commission for the sale.

Honesty is an element that is missing from so many affiliate sites. So when people find it… they value it and are often happy to reward you for it.

When I first got started with affiliate marketing, I used to do everything I could to hide the fact I was getting a commission. But that was because most products I promoted, I didn’t really use.

Well, I’ve come full circle in affiliate marketing and now could care less if people realize I am an affiliate. After all, I now only promote products I believe in so what’s there to hide?

Yes, I do earn a commission when people buy Site Build It! through my link and I’m OK with people knowing that. But I also make sure they know I actually use and love the product. And that’s the difference.

So the next time you try to disguise the fact you are an affiliate. Ask yourself why? Do you have something to hide?

Yes, some people may be turned off by the fact you are getting a commission, but if you do a good job in PREselling and show you really own and use the product, those who buy because of your honesty will outweigh those who don’t by far.

And from time to time, you’ll get the nice surprise of being asked to confirm your affiliate link before they buy. Wow!