Thanks to Barry Goggin of PredictiveDomaining.com this post came sooner than expected. Barry is one of the individuals that brought the use of .htaccess (server side redirect) last week. After a few conversations via email I asked Barry if he was willing to share his knowledge on this topic, without hesitation he said yes.
We now have the trifecta of forwarding, pick the one best for your needs.
Last week I posted how to forward and mask a domain/url. In the comments of that post it was brought to my attention that the masking route is a somewhat questionable technique. Personally I do not see anything wrong with the method, at least my use of it is not intended in a negative way. Through comments and emails I have been informed of a couple other methods of forwarding a domain/URL, redirect and .htaccess. Today I am only going to talk about re-direct. I will follow up within the next couple of days with a how to on .htaccess.
What is Redirect?
A page that redirects to another page
Simple to setup
Does not mask your affiliate link
Here you go, a new video on how to forward using redirect. You may need to turn up the volume. Continue reading…
Last week I learned how to forward and mask a domain name. I am extremely excited about this because it is such a powerful and underrated tool. This simple technique can make you hundreds if not thousands every single month. In just one week I have already made a few hundred dollars from this technique.
First let me give you the definitions of domain forwarding and masking. Forwarding redirects visitors to another website when they go to the typed in URL. Masking prevents the forwarded URL from displaying in the browser’s address bar.
Two weeks ago I was talking to a friend and he was telling me how he was not pleased with his hosting provider, he asked who was I using. I gladly told him Host Gator which hosts a dozen or so of my sites and am very pleased with. Making money online is my business, why not make an affiliate commission from my buddy signing up. Unfortunately at the time I did not have a domain forwarded, instead I had to say, “Do me a favor, go to my website and click on the Host Gator banner. If this isn’t the obvious I’m going to make money on your purchase I don’t know what is.” Being my friend he did it and signed up.
Now let’s say I was not talking to a friend and they wanted advice on hosting or any product for that matter, they may not have been as willing to go through my site. They may ask for the direct address. Am I to deny them the address? Wouldn’t it be great to say sure, go to eSiteHost.com for your hosting needs. Not only is this great on the phone but emails, print or even out in public. Maybe you are at a networking event where you know they always ask what do you do. You explain you have a few websites and make money online. They may follow up with questions about hosting and so forth. Here is your chance to say visit eSiteHost.com, that’s who I use. Now let’s say they like the service and now start to refer their associates to the site address because for all they know the address is what you told them. That is the power of masking; they believe they are getting service from the given domain name.
Getting back to my buddy, he develops websites for some of his church members. Because I’ve had this conversation with him he now directs his customers to eSiteHost.com for hosting and he will setup the site.
The psychology of some buyers…
They hate knowing you are making money on them. They not only think your advice is given just so you can make money but they may also assume because you are making money they can get a better price by going direct.
Watch the video for a quick tutorial on how to forward and mask your domain names. You may have to turn up the volume on your speakers.
Update
One thing to add, not all affiliate companies allow for domain forward and masking. Make sure to read the terms of service (TOS) for each company you are dealing with.
