RTM.net

Well, a big props and thanks to SEO_Mike for the write-up... we've been considering A2P for some time now (ok, about 5 weeks) for a few start-up sites currently being monetized using similar methods (WordPress of course, automated RSS import, YARPP, and many of the WP plugins and strategies you mention in your great series of posts)...

Since some of our sites are earning $xx to mid $xxx through EPN and this through organic traffic, we're not going to take a major change (A2P engine on the backend, with possible A2P themes changing the UI on the front) without a bit of research.

This thread has certainly helped!

Now, anyone using A2P for eBay sites other than eBay.com ? (I'm not even sure if A2P supports international eBay sites)...

Everyone getting ready for the new QCP EPN model ?

Cheers,

Rob

radio

a2p has international support. Just set it in your general settings for your country code in the pull down menu. Several users in the UK, Australia, etc.

there's really not that much of a change when implementing a2p - it's a plugin. that's it. it's a pretty cool plugin that delivers the goods, but it's still just a plugin. no crazy backend stuff that you'll need to worry about. minimize the menu tab and it's barely noticeable.

As far as UI on the front end - the templates can be completely customized by you to fit the current layout of your site. These are posts that are being created - not like a BANS site that you relinquish full control over to - but rather a tool for developing posts that you then manipulate however you would any other post.

The a2p Theme Pack themes are not templates - simply wp themes used for quick out of the box deployments of a2p.

hope that helps.

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schindyguy

I was going to try and start as a complete newb with this tutorial and see how far it got me...

I have 3 questions:

1. One of them is above about the new QCP EPN model ebay is starting tomorrow. Will it change the strategy to simply get clicks over there rather than a conversion to a sale? Will this effect what you are trying to look for as far as trends with tera?

2. This is probably going to get the dumb label stamped on my forehead, but if I am understanding a2p plugin correctly, isnt this just going to create a landing page from ebay's (or amazon's) content? Basically the point is to drive traffic to ebay from the content thats already on there, right?

3. With an interest in keeping it simple stupid, can I just register a domain like reviews4everyone.com and use subdirectories and subdomains to SEO the offering? Or should I register a more specific name for a category and then put a lot of similar offerings under one domain? I dont mind installing wordpress, activating plugins, and registering a lot of different domains, but theres got be a point where it doesnt become cost effective. Does this really just matter on the specific niche I am going after?

Thanks in advance for dealing with me. I will be in debt to you guys forever if this pays off

Mike

Until there is more data on how the QCP affects things, it's hard to make changes. I don't think it will affect how I dig through TeraPeak. It might, but again, not enough time with the new QCP and data to say yet.
Yes and more or less yes.
Sure. Nothing wrong with subdomains IMO. Just name them: niche-keyword.your-site.tld
Welcome.

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Mkting Samurai

My site is up (sorry about the delay, a few new clients and trying to catch up) but as of today its ready on the server and I have been checking out categories and some of the wp plug ins.

Anyone have any traffic advice they want to throw out? I will keep everyone updated. Wish me luck.

Volume10

we are about to launch auction2post on one of our new wp landing pages. Will keep you updated once its out of development.

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justo_tx

I just picked up A2P and had problems activating the plugin due to ionCube loader and DreamHost. If you are on Dreamhost and run into a problem withthe ionCube loader check out the following thread. The script attached fixed me right up.

DreamHost Scripts and Tips • View topic - DreamHost ionCube installer

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ranjancom2000

Small Advice can you change the buy url to image button link it is not visible to the user so i am loosing lot for conversion.

radio

you have the ability to control that in your template. ask on the a2p forum and you'll get a reply.

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riddarhusetgal

I'm playing around with the templates now and testing conversions, ctr with some of the phrases mentioned here Article marketing = waste of time?

So far so good when it comes to the ROI of this plugin!!

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"If It doesn't sell, it's not creative". -David Olgivy

Mkting Samurai

A little help please

We regret to inform you that we cannot accept your application at this time.Like many other affiliate programs .....

My sites are http://showloverwithin.com and Sick Threads at a low price

I was light on the info for the set up of the account, might that be it? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
James

Mike

Tips on getting accepted with eBay Partner Network (ePN)

Great thread on getting accepted to EPN.

My favorite is the Squidoo trick.

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Mike

Interesting notes on my eBay sites:

Bounce rate is very low < 40%, on one it's around 25%
Time on site is over 2 minutes
Pageviews are averaging around 3 or so
Getting traffic from Google Images for a lot of long tails

Found a new plugin that is super cool: WPtouch: Mobile Plugin + Theme for WordPress ? BraveNewCode Inc. For the iPhone and other smartphones / PDA's, it displays a very simple easy to use / read interface. I checked it on my iPhone and it works flawlessly.

Twitrobot and Twitter feed have helped bring in some Twitter traffic. Don't forget stumbleupon, reddit, propellor, etc.

Hope everyone is having fun and making a little money with their sites. My "main" one is up to about $115 this month, so in 2 1/2 months, it's made about $265. According to the EPN Quality Click Pricing Preview, if this were QCP priced it would be at $212 instead of $115. So, apparently EPN likes my traffic.

I did lose a lot of clicks recently (last couple weeks) because I moved the site twice, but clicks are coming back up. Going to start doing some SEO and seeing what works and what doesn't. I'll let you know.

So, how are your sites doing? Anything cool to report?

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sergit

Don't know where else to ask. Getting into whole EPN craze, building sites using a2p.
Question - how much content do you guys have on these sites? Thinking to put a nice article, pictures and maybe video on store's home page and have categories pages. Is it a right approach?

Mike

Mine are "thin" as hell. Just auctions. No problems...yet. Knock on wood.

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Sharksfan

I have this same problem and I'll look into this because frankly - inasmuch as fool-proof schemes go - this one seems bullet proof.

The real problem I had was that the EPN got me into a catch-22. I couldn't update my application because I wasn't accepted and I couldn't make a new one because I was rejected.

Can I be part of the EPN without a regular ebay seller account? And before you flame away this IS the n00b forum (and I am a dumbass in the realm of AM still).

Mkting Samurai

Mike,
Is it appropriate to ask to see one of your sites so we know what to inspire to ?
Pleeaaasseeee

guerilla

You should have PM'd this. If you want discreet info, be discreet when requesting it.

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-jason-

why ?

Mike

I LOL'd because it's true.

Actually though, radio has some sites set up for people to see what an A2P site could look like. You don't need to see mine, and I don't want to post them anyhow. If I did, there would be a bunch of people that assume it's a money making site and copy the theme, categories, keywords (product) and even try to buy a domain similar to it. THEN if they don't make money with a clone of my site they get discouraged and upset that they couldn't make a go of it.

So, it really doesn't help anybody if I did post one of my sites. Just look at radio's sample sites to get an idea of what an A2P site looks like (or could look like)

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radio

^^^ this. But I've never been able to articulate it quite like this. Nice.

People have shared great ideas of uses for a2p with me. However, I don't incorporate those into my sample sites. I keep them to a site that's a basic keyword search and a standard wp theme install. Forces people to come up with their own ideas and implementations and those are going to be the ideas and sites that are more successful than a simple copy and paste duplicate site. Sure there are ideas out there that can improve an a2p site... but it doesn't mean those ideas come from other a2p sites!

Get creative! Good luck!

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Mkting Samurai

Mike / Radio,
Thank you both .. I do see more now what you are talking about as I looked around the boards a bit more than I did before. Thanks for the help and the direction about how your site will get cloned.

Back to the lab again for me to put together some of my own creative ideas.
Have a great weekend.

radio

now you got it! good luck - take some risks, try something new, implement something you see on another site, experiment. doing this builds 'big picture' thinking and you'll be able to take what you learn in new directions and be more proficient in doing so.

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Sharksfan

Another question - is this plugin licensed on a 1 per site or is it able to be used across multiple sites?

Man - I am so pumped to try this - waiting for EPN approval before buying it (props to the links above on how to get approved).

radio

one license does it all! unlimited site license (for domains you own). forget approval. use some of the tips above for monetizing other methods and then just add the campaign ids once you get approved by epn.

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Sharksfan

Working on it already - I had an auto-blog site that was getting 3000 or so visitors a month (not so awesome) with 300 or so clicks per month that had zero - literally zero - income for the past few months.

Just this discussion illustrated a few things. I registered a new domain and I am basically trying the same thing BUT using much more targeted auto-blogging and a few other things.

I'm alone with my toddler this weekend (wife is visiting a friend) and after the toddler's bedtime tonight I have been working non-stop on this. Just got the "revised model" up and running. This is using the Amazon AM program and very highly targeted traffic with some SEO.

It's not perfect yet - need a day or two more on it - but for now it's a good start.

I will definitely be buying the auction2post plugin as soon as I am approved for the EPN. I talk a LOT with other business owners and I have seen a great opportunity I want to try this with. I have a demographic + product line just itching to test.

Mkting Samurai

I think I have worked out some of the bugs that ebay bitch slapped me for. A new more specific domain name with an extended life, the site is more than just the plug in and I have gotten out of the whored up niche I was looking at before.

Traffic to the site is going to be easier because of the great advice on both lenses and some extra plug ins. I am also starting to get some back links to it (other sites I work with) and will know more as time progresses.

Thanks again everyone and please keep the ideas flowing. This is one of the most comprehensive threads I have ever been a part of.

Sharksfan

I FINALLY got approved for the EPN after my 4th try. Here's a tip for everyone else who may be trying - make some niche specific blog that is heavily dependent on some type of expensive gear and then make up 20 or so posts + the Squidoo trick. And do NOT try to bug them first.

Every time I check on an application I was turned down for the EPN within 1 hour. Even though it's supposed to only take 72 hours they sat on this last one for a week and I made sure I posted every day - sometimes as often as 4X a day.

Look for an order soon Probably later tonight....er...well, the Sharks are playing so maybe way early tomorrow morning....

radio

good tips. glad you got in. be sure to use the multiple modes of monetization discussed in this thread!

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Sharksfan

Bought it + theme pack. Working on having first site up by noon. I had a non-performing site on a good domain and niche. It's ranked #8 WITHOUT any posts. Let's see how it does by Monday or so I'll post results.

Sharksfan

I bought this plugin and my hosting is on GoDaddy (move in progress) - initally the plugin would not activate.

Fortunately it just took some nuts and bolts work to get it fixed. Here's what I did - but you have to be on Linux hosting.

Go here and download the x86 zip version for Linux:
PHP Encoder, protection, installer and performance tools from ionCube: Loader Download

Unzip it. Inside will be a folder named ioncube. FTP this to the root of your GoDaddy account (not the install directory for whatever domain you happen to be messing with).

Rename your php.ini file to php.ini.old

Create a new file named php5.ini. Put these contents inside:

You need to change your...

zend_extension=/home/content/1/2/3/MyUserID/html/ioncube/ioncube_loader_lin_5.2.so

...line to match your account - the portion that has /1/2/3/MyUserId - if you can't find it just try activating the plugin w/o doing any of these steps first - you'll get an error with the full path.

Then upload this file to the root of hosting account and everything should be fine.

This slowed me down a bit today but I should still have a site up later today.

EDIT: This obviously assumes you have PHP5 as well. But at this point you should anyway....

Sharksfan

Not that anyone cares...but...first site is live. Two more on deck.

DigitalPlease

Thx for this thread

ErioE

Reading through this thread, I actually feel like I'm being productive on Wicked Fire. Thanks guys.

dhamma

@radio
doest this mean a2p is encrypted? no open source/GPL...?

what about the themes - is it possible to see them in action ... didn´t found screens|demos on the official site...

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radio

@dhamma - correct. encoded using ioncube.

auction2post Wordpress Plugin Automatically Creates Content! New Theme Pack! Coupon!

scroll down to the end of the first post for some links to themes in action.

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amateursurgeon

Read this post thought "this looks cool, wish I had an ePN account"

Then had a poke around in my old email address to find I reg'd for an EPN account about 18 months ago last time i was playing with this stuff. Still active - RESULT.

Have bought A2P and going through this tutorial now - thanks a bunch mike!

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The EMD Shop - profitable Exact Match Domains (not just the usual CPC x Searches herp derp)
http://www.wickedfire.com/sell-buy-t...n-service.html

Sharksfan

Okay - so here's a noob review after just under a month of owning A2P.

Short version: buy it.

Long version: I don't know jack about Radio - or didn't prior to this. I had no previous reason to say he's awesome, etc, etc, etc.

I bought the plugin and put in on 4 sites so far. My n00b ass fucked up everything imaginable and Radio's support on his forum was very good. He replied fast (usually within the hour, often WAY faster) and I got all the stuff figured out fast. Not counting the first site (which took a little nuts and bolts work from me on the host, see prior posts) this installs/configs very fast.

I think I ordered this on 10/10. I got my first commission of....drumroll please.....$0.26 on 10/16.

It was at that point that I figured I was doing something wrong and I took a good hard look at each site in turn, playing with their templates, etc. CTR to ebay and commissions have been steadily increasing ever since. I made major changes to all sites late last week. Once I did that I started to consistently start to get higher commissions (although it's waaaaaay too little data to draw broad conslusions from).

I expect the commissions to keep increasing and I'll start pruning the non-performers within a few weeks. I'll be VERY surprised if I do not get 200% ROI in the month of November alone.

Also, I have like 20 domains I want to register for this thing.

Here's a great tip though - if you are starting out google "powered by auction2post" and find some sites to get ideas for layout, etc.

Another obvious follow-up tip (sorry Radio - I know you want the backlinks....) - you probably want to edit the footer.php (or whichever) to remove this once you have a profitable site....

radio

nice review... thanks.

and fwiw - i took out the footer links from all themes in the a2p theme pack months ago AND sent out an email to everyone to upgrade to the new themes so that they didn't have my calling card on their site. many of the backlinks to auction2post are from the lpdesigner's review theme that i coded up.

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ryaninzion

I am really excited about what I have read regarding auction2post here over the past couple days. I have definitely decided that it is going to be my first major foray into affiliate marketing (day job has gotten in the way of doing so before now )

I just have one question:

I understand it can be kind of tricky getting into ePN, and even if you are successful, it can take a couple weeks. I want to start NOW!

I have read and understand how other AM networks can be used with the plugin. But even if I am pushing Amazon products, the eBay description content is still going to be my main content on each post, right?

And I assume that if I am using eBay's product description, I have to keep their sales link in there too. So does that mean if I go this route the first link visitors will be presented with is to an offer I will get no commission from?

Thanks for the help and the great plug-in!

Grindstone

I believe that the ebay API TOS (not that I ever read those...) requires the link to the auction left intact. That doesn't mean it has to be the most prominent link in the post. Think colors that don't contrast all that well, like light blue on silver. And then make the link you want them clicking high contrast with a strong call to action.

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Bombastic

SEO_MIke, what kind of scheduling do you use for posting the content? Do you post hundreds of pages right off the bat then start dripping content more slowly after that? Or do you keep it slow and consistent right from the start?

radio

EnigmaBomb posted a pretty awesome tutorial on how to block bots on your ePN sites.

How To Stop Bots From Ruining Your EPN EPC | Off-White Hat

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amateursurgeon

4 weeks in and my little site is constantly making money. Not exactly ballin' - $7 in 2 weeks, but as a proof of concept it works.

Now to build more!

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The EMD Shop - profitable Exact Match Domains (not just the usual CPC x Searches herp derp)
http://www.wickedfire.com/sell-buy-t...n-service.html

reonking

thanks alot this post will defeneately help to learn A2P

radio

license manager updated making it even easier to run a2p on a single install of wp managing multiple domains.

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JoshTodd

Anybody care to post how QCP on EPN has affected their income? Are you shifting traffic to Amazon and other sites more now?

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Read InsideAffiliate.net

JoshTodd

Has anyone answered this? I was wondering the same thing. Wouldn't you want the full /%postname%/ to display for SEO benefits? Or does it not matter because you are deleting them when the auction expires?

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johnboyseo

hi,

Has anyone had experience with using this with multi domains where the domains may not all show the same reg?

the FAQ says "You can use auction2post on any number of domains that you own and have registered to you."

Like quite a few peeps I often try to keep domain reg non traceable - though its quite understandable why the producer might want to enforce this.

radio

Don't worry about it, you should be fine. Just use an email that you sometimes check in your a2p registration in case there's a question in the future.

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