15 Ways to Monetize a Website and the Secrets of Preparing for It

Developing any online resource involves expenses.

The costs of creation and the annual payment for the domain and hosting require resources.

Even if you built the site yourself on a website builder, you spent your time on it.

In addition, there are promotion expenses.

For example, on creating quality content to attract traffic.

Therefore, monetization will at minimum recoup these costs, and at maximum — bring a steady income.

Some sites are deliberately created for this purpose.

However, if your site is created for promoting goods and services, additional income won't hurt.

Why it's important for you to know how to monetize your site:

There are more than 8 ways to derive income from an online resource.

The most popular is placing banners and affiliate articles in a blog (on adjacent topics).

In addition, you can add the site to contextual advertising, work with CPA networks, place affiliate links, etc.

However, not every resource is interesting to advertisers.

Let's look at how to prepare a site and when it's best to launch monetization.

And we'll also analyze real examples of how much you can earn on a site.

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Where to Start Monetization

Which resources are better to monetize.

When you can start.

How to prepare the resource.

What amount to count on.

Whether you can use several monetization methods at once.

Which sites monetize well

To earn income you need traffic and the right choice of monetization method.

At the same time, the site can be informational, news-based, or commercial.

For example, a good profit from adding a resource to contextual advertising or a teaser network can be obtained only with a large amount of traffic.

What should you do if a small audience regularly visits your site?

It needs to represent value for advertisers.

Then you can earn from placing paid advertising articles.

Theoretically, the type of site isn't that important.

Here the main thing is the ratio "traffic volume — choice of monetization method."

The reputation of the site also plays a role. We'll talk about this below.

When it's better to start monetization

There are no strict deadlines, however there is one rule.

You shouldn't start monetizing an online resource immediately after launch.

That way you'll scare off both visitors and advertisers.

It's unlikely that anyone will study advertising on an unknown site.

And advertisers simply won't be able to find your resource or won't see value in it.

At first, it's better to invest in promotion and organize a steady flow of traffic (even if small).

This may require publishing unique content, buying advertising on other more promoted portals, etc.

When the number of visitors grows, start working with advertising networks.

And when you reach the mark of several thousand visitors per day, you can start working with direct advertisers.

A simple rule applies here — the higher the quality and the larger the traffic, the higher the profit.

Many site owners abandon the idea of monetization at the very beginning of the journey, although, according to statistics from foreign colleagues, 68% of bloggers earn ≈ $5,000 per year.

Here it's important not to chase a quick result, but to use a consistent strategy.

How to prepare a resource for monetization

Besides traffic, it's important to take care of the online resource's reputation.

We're talking about complying with search-engine requirements.

Carry out internal SEO optimization.

At the promotion stage, which you can't do without, beware of buying links on low-quality portals (which don't care about content quality).

Cooperate with resources that have an adjacent topic.

Check that they responsibly approach the choice of advertisers.

When preparing a site for monetization, follow these recommendations:

• carry out internal optimization of the resource to meet the requirements of search engines (Google, Bing);
• strive to improve the site's metrics (authority, PageRank, absence of bans from search engines);
• regularly fill the site with unique content that's interesting to your target audience;
• use white-hat promotion methods: SEO, cooperation with thematic resources;
• attract adjacent channels, for example, social media or contextual advertising.

What amount to count on

Income from a site is in most cases connected with the quantity and quality of traffic.

But it's not always so.

Two resources equal in size and traffic volume sometimes have different profitability indicators.

It all depends on the specifics, the relevance of the target audience, and other parameters.

Moreover, the monetization of a small site with a narrowly specialized quality audience (interesting to an advertiser) can exceed the income of a larger resource (for example, from teaser advertising).

However, this is rather an exception to the rule.

Income from a small site fluctuates around a couple of thousand hryvnias per month.

But the publication of materials and advertising on promoted portals with a large traffic volume bring much more.

For instance, the release of a paid piece on a large media outlet ranges widely (depending on the format).

You can roughly estimate monetization on a marketplace of sites and domains.

For each resource put up for sale, a detailed summary is presented here:

The data on a resource's profitability is reflected more clearly in the table:

By the way, selling the resource is also one of the monetization methods.

However, this is a one-time event, so we didn't include it in the main list.

4 factors that the income from a site depends on:

• the quantity and quality of traffic (if your site's visitors clearly match the portrait of the advertiser's target audience, the earnings will be higher);
• the reputation of the site (compliance with search-engine requirements);
• selecting optimal monetization methods (to choose the most effective channel, as a rule, you need to test several options);
• monetization efficiency (tracking metrics, developing new strategies).

Can you use several monetization methods at once

There's no ban on applying several monetization methods.

However, you shouldn't oversaturate the resource with advertising.

Otherwise visitors will reduce their trust and stop coming to you.

It's better to start with 1-2 methods.

Then track visitors' reaction (to banners, contextual advertising, partner publications, etc.).

In particular, pay attention to negative reactions.

Start keeping track of income, assess which monetization channel brings more profit.

Test different options until you find the optimal one.

Do you want to get free traffic?

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Ways to Monetize Popular Sites

Contextual advertising.

Banners.

Placing teaser advertising.

CPA networks.

Affiliate programs.

Traffic from Contextual Advertising

One of the popular ways to monetize is displaying contextual advertising on the site.

It consists of displaying graphic, text ads, or video ads from Google Ads.

For this you need to first register in the advertising service relevant to you and place the code on the site.

After this you'll receive payment for users' clicks on the ads.

The cost per click can vary, according to the niche.

For instance, according to Netpeak statistics, the price in Google Ads ranges around $0.20—$0.26.

Each network has its own requirements for sites.

For example, certain resource topics are prohibited from being added (forums without moderation, casinos, file exchangers).

It's prohibited to artificially inflate impressions and clicks.

There are also certain rules for placing advertising blocks.

To use this monetization method, it's important to ensure a steady flow of traffic to the site.

Familiarize yourself with 12 SEO trends and speed up your promotion.

Setting up contextual advertising actually gets easier every year.

We recorded a big guide on setting up contextual advertising on our site.

Therefore, the number of advertisers will grow.

Banner advertising

Banner advertising is another way to monetize.

It involves less stringent requirements for the site than Google Ads.

Moderation is less strict, and the entry threshold is accessible to a larger number of sites.

How does banner advertising work?

• you register in a service (for example, Traforet) and install a special code on the site;
• after this the display of banners begins (you'll be able to set the banner type and the location of its placement, as well as choose relevant topics);
• you're paid for banner impressions on the site (as a rule, depending on the topic and the competitiveness in the niche).

Some banner networks allow you to pre-calculate the approximate volume of earnings from an online resource.

In addition, remember that you'll always be able to sell a site that earns.

So, the cost of a resource with profitability of 500 dollars a month, according to statistics, is around 5,000-10,000 dollars.

Placing teaser advertising

The teaser-advertising format involves placing graphic as well as text elements on the site.

The images can be static or animated.

The text, as a rule, contains a teaser announcement.

A teaser is a type of banner advertising.

The main difference is that it may not contain direct advertising.

Its main task is to motivate a click on the link.

How to earn from teaser advertising?

• register in a teaser network (for example, Mixadvert);
• choose relevant teasers from those offered by advertisers in this network;
• receive payment for teaser impressions on the site.

The teaser network reserves the right to take a percentage for the transaction.

It is an intermediary between you and the advertiser).

As a rule, the resource owner receives 20-90% of the price of the click on the link (which is specified in the network's rules).

CPA networks

Website owners and advertisers can find each other through such a network.

The principle of operation is quite simple.

Advertisers place their offers in a CPA network.

The webmaster chooses the most suitable one and places it on the website.

Profit is credited when visitors perform a certain action:

• registration;
• filling out a form;
• purchasing a product.

The advertiser indicates the payment amount when placing the offer.

You also need to take into account the CPA network's commission percentage.

The offer (the material for placement) can be presented in the form of text, a link, a banner, or a direct description of the offer.

The abbreviation CPA stands for payment per action, or cost per action.

Among the popular networks we can highlight: CPAGETTI and others.

Affiliate programs

The principle of this monetization method is similar to a CPA network.

The difference is that here there's no connecting link.

The webmaster and the advertiser cooperate directly.

The website owner receives a % from the sale of an affiliate product in exchange for placing advertising.

This approach is known as affiliate marketing.

And all the subtleties and hacks on the topic of how to earn on affiliate programs we discussed in as much detail as possible in a webinar with Mikhail Shakin, who is an old hand at this.

How to earn from an affiliate program:

• you advertise a partner's product on your resource (you place banners, coupons, links, etc.);
• the user clicks on the referral link with your unique identifier;
• you're credited a % from the transaction or a fixed payment.

The payment amount in this case depends on the initial agreement with the advertiser.

Large brands often use affiliate marketing, for example, Aviasales.

Recommended reading:

1. Text Spam Level and Its Impact on Relevance
2. Promoting a Website Built on a Website Builder

Ways to Earn Income That Will Suit Everyone

Advertising space on the site.

Sponsored content.

Accepting voluntary contributions.

Email newsletters.

Paid content.

Advertising spaces on a web page

If finding partners and advertisers seems difficult, you can sell advertising spaces on the site.

This monetization method only works on the condition of sufficient and regular traffic.

For this, create a separate page where you describe the placement conditions in detail:

• the advertising format (for example, the banner size);
• the cost;
• the location of the banner on the page;
• the cost and terms of placement;
• the topics (you work with).

This advertising format has a number of pluses.

First, you determine the cost of placement yourself.

Second, you dictate your terms: the cost per number of impressions or a certain placement period (for example, for 1 month).

For example, your resource is dedicated to the topic of tourism.

In that case you can place advertising for insurance companies, travel agencies, hiking gear, etc.

Publishing partner content

If your site has a popular blog, you can earn from sponsored content.

This is relevant if the resource is in demand and has a relevant audience.

Payment is made for publishing the advertiser's article on your blog.

Often such promo materials serve as native advertising.

Therefore, it's important that the article's topic directly or indirectly matches the portal's specifics.

The quality and quantity of traffic is also especially valued here.

As with advertising space, the cost of placing a publication is determined by the site owner.

It may depend on the size of the publication, the duration of the article's placement, etc.

Some portals provide assistance in creating native advertising articles.

In that case, the advertiser sets the topic and goals, and the platform creates, edits, and publishes the content on its own.

You can sell articles on a site not yourself, but through special marketplaces.

Many potential customers already use them.

The exchanges act as guarantors in transactions and allow you to receive payouts in a convenient way.

For example, you can receive orders through PRNEWS.IO.

Accepting voluntary contributions

If your project has gathered a loyal audience and provides benefit free of charge, suggest that people make donations for its development.

This is relevant if the online resource provides access to various materials (books, webinars), free services, or software.

This method is used as additional monetization.

Since you won't be able to get a steady, predictable profit.

However, donations will allow you to partially cover the costs of maintaining the site.

How to start collecting donations?

The simplest way is to place a form with a request.

Indicate the desired volume of donations or give people the opportunity to choose the donation amount themselves.

The collection button can be placed using payment services (for example, LiqPay, Fondy) or similar ones.

Email newsletters

An email newsletter is used as an additional monetization tool.

With the help of useful emails, you can gather a base of loyal readers.

And then place advertising for thematic services and products, as well as referral links, in emails with useful content.

You can use the newsletter in two ways:

• mention a partner (or place a link) in one of the useful emails;
• develop a separate email for the advertising.

You can also integrate a donation offer into your newsletter.

For example, a news newsletter offers in each of its emails to click a link to "Support Expresso."

In addition, with the help of a newsletter you can promote various info-products, for example, online courses.

Paid content

Another monetization method is earning from paid content.

In that case the resource offers part of the content for free and charges for continuing to read the articles.

Or part of the content is available only in the pro version of the account.

As an introductory fragment, you can use an announcement of the article's content.

The size and procedure of payment are determined by the site owner.

You can use a subscription fee (for example, monthly or annual with a discount).

This is one of the options for receiving passive income.

At the same time, the main emphasis is placed precisely on the quality and value of the content.

To create quality content, we recommend using a utility for quickly gathering keywords.

Additional Methods of Earning from a Site

Web-push advertising.

Promotion of goods and services.

Renting out pages.

Selling open data.

Surveys.

Web-push advertising

These are concise messages that appear on the screen of a PC or mobile gadget on top of the main window.

They may contain: an image, text data, a link, a button.

To send such notifications, you first need to obtain consent from visitors.

To create such notifications, you can use the OneSignal plugin for the WordPress control panel.

You can also use the services: Push4site, Gravitec.net.

Promotion of goods, services

A commercial site can be monetized through the direct sale of goods and various services.

We recommend familiarizing yourself with the hacks that will allow you to increase the home page's conversion.

However, an informational portal and other types of resources can also be monetized in a similar way.

For example, by selling info-products: thematic books or webinars, a selection of useful materials, consultations, etc.

This also includes training lessons, webinars, courses.

This strategy can be used within the framework of affiliate marketing.

For example, placing partners' (online stores') thematic products on the pages of useful articles.

Monetization is carried out through a markup or special conditions.

In addition, you can sell expert consultations or the ability to download materials on the site.

Renting out pages

Owners of large resources rent out pages.

So, organizations with a similar topic can rent a platform for running a personal blog and attracting clients.

Through this, it immediately gets a wide reach of the target audience, saving money on promotion and the development of its own website.

In turn, the owner of the large resource receives systematic payment.

Selling open data

When interacting with visitors, online resources collect their data.

This concerns geography, gender, age, preferences, etc.

Some of the data is personal and not subject to disclosure.

One of the monetization methods is selling anonymous, non-personal user data: the gadget, the country, demographic information, etc.

It may be relevant for organizations conducting analytical market research.

Surveys

You can monetize a resource by placing advertisers' surveys.

To motivate users to take tests, you can make it the key to getting paid content.

In turn, the advertiser will make a payment for each survey taken on the site.

To increase earnings you can:

• register in a survey service (for example, e-Research-Global.com, Survio);
• place a referral link;
• receive a reward for taking surveys on your online resource.

Conclusions

Website monetization is the opportunity to receive income from an online resource in different ways.

For a promoted site with a large amount of diverse traffic, the option of earning from contextual advertising is suitable.

And for a small, narrowly specialized site — earning from publishing partners' thematic articles, selling experts' online services, info-products, etc.

In addition, you can monetize a website thanks to participation in teaser and CPA networks, placing surveys, and web-push advertising.

A large portal can earn by renting out the site's internal pages.

To choose the optimal monetization for your resource, we recommend trying several methods and assessing the effectiveness of the results.