How did you think I was making money with this blog?
Last Friday we talked about the pages that generate the most subscribers on my blog - up to 50% conversion rate.
Today, we’ll talk about money.
Where does most of my blog income come from? Which page is the winner?
One of the most underused pages in the blogosphere: Tools/Resources page.
You can find it at this link: https://trafficgenerationcafe.online/Internet-Marketing-Tools/
That’s the page where I post about all of the products that I use in my online business, with affiliate links of course.
I don’t advertize it in any way, I don’t shove it down my readers’ throats. It just sits there quietly, with only two links to it: one in the navigation bar at the top of my blog and one in the sidebar.
And yet it’s the best money-maker on my blog.
How to Build Your Resource Page
Here are some tips to make the best out of yours:
- Only talk about products that you know and have tested yourself - credibility is the key. Not everyone will like what you have to offer, but at least you’ll sleep well at night.
- Form the products into groups for easier reading/scanning.
- I like to give my readers a quick synopsis on why I like the product: be very brief and to the point, if you choose to do that as well.
- In my opinion, this is one of those cases where banners help. They provide some nice visuals as well as form product recognition.
- ALWAYS use tracking of sorts to make sure you know how your page is performing.
Tracking: I use a free version of the plugin called “Pretty Link” for all my ad tracking needs. It allows me to create links that look nothing like the affiliate monster links we sometimes get. It also tracks all the clicks on any link anywhere. Just make sure you create a separate link for each position on your blog: tools page, sidebar, above posts, below posts, etc.
A Word on My Sidebar Ads
I get a lot of questions about those ads - yes, they are custom created for my blog.
Why did I have them done this way?
Simple answer: banner blindness.
These custom ads work great, produce a lot more clicks than the regular banners ever did, and I love the look.
Anticipating the question: Ian Belanger of Ian-Belanger.com did them for me and he did a marvelous job, I must say.
Marketing Takeaway
I suppose now I know what you are doing this weekend, huh? 
Do you have a tools page? Any great tips on creating one? Comment to show me that you’re alive!
- » Make Money Blogging: a Dollar Saved Is a Dollar Made
- » Keep Your Money, Honey: Which Internet Marketing Products Are Not Worth Their Salt
- » How to Get Paid Using Your Existing Content
- » If You Think Education Is Expensive, Try Ignorance
- » Are You Building a Machine or Just Another Job?
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This post brought to you by Ana Hoffman
Ana is the founder of Traffic Generation Cafe and wants you to know that her 7 Steps to Complete Search Engine Domination free SEO report = SEO Made Simple. Don't forget to pick up your own copy today - just click on the link above!
Ana has written 234 great posts for Traffic Generation Cafe.
A wife to a great husband, a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
I have noticed that most of the marketers have got this page and I was thinking to have it in my blog, now I will take it seriously and create mine. Thanks for the tips it will help me ^,^
I do believe it will benefit you, Faissal.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Ana. My tools page used to be basic. I started seeing results and making money off it after making considerable changes
All the best,
Mavis
Mavis Nong | Online Business Tools invites you to read…May Update – Another Fantastic Month Has Come and Gone!
It’s all about fine-tuning, seeing that YOU will buy your tools. If you will, others will too and that is why authority is important and why you should promote products that you personally (have) use (d).
Hi Ana,
I have been looking a lot at your tools page, and even before you posted this, I decided to “copy” it. I have a similar page, but I haven’t written it like you have. I have only been adding every resource I am using, but I haven’t written about them in so many words, and I haven’t explained why I am using them and why I think my readers should be using them.
It doesn’t help much to just list all the resources
Jens
Jens P. Berget invites you to read…You don’t have to be Jerry Seinfeld to be running a kick-ass business
I’ve seen bloggers go both ways on this one, Jens - some are descriptive like I am, some just list the resources.
I haven’t tested it either way, but I created mine as I imagine my readers would like to have it.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…WPSubscribers Review: How to Get Your Subscription Rates Soar Through the Roof with Facebook Connect
Hi Ana,
I’m really starting to love your Friday Tips. I noticed your Toolbox page from my first visit to your blog so I can’t say I’m surprised by the results you are seeing with it.
Cristian invites you to read…Contest: Get a free blog audit report
Only starting, Christian?
I thought the term “toolbox” should be quite a draw card.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…Friday Tips for Keeps: My Highest Email Subscription Pages Ever
Hey Ana I have just started a new Website. I will add the resource page after testing few products.
Rahul | Blog Aspire invites you to read…Link Building – How To Be A Heavy Weight Champion
Yes, Rahul - be sure to test products before recommending so that your readers know that you recommend only quality products.
I get a lot of income from all different areas, from people advertising on my blogs to successful posts that encouraged people to purchase something that I was promoting. But my most regular income producer has been from a signature plugin that I use to promote the theme I use.
Sire@Buy Online Lotto Tickets invites you to read…Which Is Of More Value A Tweet Or Google’s +1
That’s great, Sire. It is always good to diversify your income streams.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How I Increased My Traffic More than 10 Times in 2 Months
In future I will get light from this post when I will deal with products and ads.
Nawaz@fantastic sams invites you to read…Sona Chandi Jewelers
You’re most welcome, Nawaz.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How I Increased My Traffic More than 10 Times in 2 Months
I’ve always wondered how effective these types of pages were, Ana. I just clicked over to see yours and it’s much more than the typical page I see of this type. You provided a lot of information on your toolbox items. Very intriguing. I’ve had this tab on my list of things to do for a while. Sounds like I need to get it off of my to do list and get it on my to done list.
Brad Harmon @ Big Feet Marketing invites you to read…Why Your Blog is Costing You Business
Brad, I thought you read my post on throwing out your to do list?
The best way to find out if it works, is to just do it and find out for yourself.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How I Increased My Traffic More than 10 Times in 2 Months
Ana,
I love your idea about a resource page. Recently I stumbled over a site which exactly uses this and that definitely pulled me into his site. I´ve been visiting it since then over and over because I just go back where I left last time and find a new (old) post where to go ahead. Very nice and informative but you´ll need a good amount of posts to do that.
Yes, plenty posts are key for success in every blog and it certainly helps with this. Thanks for stopping by, Monja.
Thanks, Ana.
I had not really thought about a Tools and/or Resource page.
I must first get around to making my Blog(Site) of a much higher caliber, or the Tools/ Resource page may outshine all other pages.
Daniel invites you to read…You’re Page One For Google Search Why does Your Page Rank say N/A or O ?
Yes, your blog should offer great quality content, but don’t put off the tools page too long else you might miss out on potential profits.
Thanks for the reminder to get off my butt and build mine out.
LOL I did this for the BUILD RANK areas but I still dont have a page dedicated to the tools I use. What’s even stupider is that the build page on my blog is the highest earner too, yet I still haven’t built on this!?!
Also, I love what you (or Dev?) have done with WP Subs and the integration of the share functions and related posts.
Looks top notch!
(care to share who or how?)
Alex@build niche websites invites you to read…Is Blogging Really Harder than Medicine? Oh Look, A Castle!
Ana, that is a cool tip. I long ago drafted the resource page and it still stays unpublished in my drafts folder. I still think that it needs to be polished (that’s a good excuse to procrastinate). So ya, I need to polish it now
Thanks for the super information about your earner page.
Jane.
Jane@Blogging Success invites you to read…7 Reasons I will Un-Friend You On Facebook
My pleasure, Jane. Stop procrastinating and get that page out there right away!
Hmmm… Going to start putting together my tools and resources page right now. I never would have guessed that a tools/research page would be your best money maker. Thanks for more awesome info!
Katie @ Be Extraordinary Today invites you to read…See it! Say it! Do it!
You’re welcome, Katie.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…Friday Tips for Keeps: My Highest Email Subscription Pages Ever
Hi Ana,
I think that’s the advantage you get. You always refer a product which you’ve actually tried and know how it works. It means your readers can’t blame you that you don’t know about a product but still trying to sell it.
Riya @ Couponseasy invites you to read…GoDaddy 27% Discount Coupon Code
Yes. I would never do that as it tends to backfire on you!
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How I Increased My Traffic More than 10 Times in 2 Months
Currently in the process of creating my resource page, so interesting to see that is your biggest money spinner.
Also Ana, the related post/share box at the close of your post, is that a plugin or is it custom? Like the neatness, and am having problems with multiple plugin priority order on my site. So looking for alternatives.
Thanks
Jackie
Jackie invites you to read…Twitter Detox..Highly Recommended
It’s hard-coded into my theme, Jackie.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…7 Creative Content Writing Ideas to Bring Your Old Content Back to Life
Hi Ana,
I don’t have a dedicated tools page yet but I do have a resource page on my blog navigation page. Here it is
profitworks.ca/get-customers-blog
Hopefully soon I will have a resource page. I just need to find time to create one.
That’s great. Make the time to add a toolbox, as it WORKS!
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How to Get Paid Using Your Existing Content
Anaa,
As soon as I hit submit I realized I shoulda emailed Ian in private, apologize for hijacking your post like that.
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing invites you to read…@DennisEdell is Back Baby! Follow Me for First Chance.
No problem, Dennis.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How to Get the Facebook Crowd to Like You More
Actually what this shows Ana, is heaps of trust on your visitors part. 9 x outa 10 the “resource” page collects dust. How it looks is somewhat irrelevant.
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing invites you to read…Your Home Business – Is It Your Business or Hobby?
Thanks for the nice comment, Dennis. I do like to think that it should look nice too, but maybe that’s just the girl in me talking
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How Would You Like to Have a New Version of CommentLuv on Your Blog?
Oh it’s important Ana, by far down the list from trust.
If I trust you and find something I want/need on your page, as long as I can read it, I’ll buy it…basically.
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing invites you to read…You Really Need to Read the Post, THEN Comment
Thanks Ana, this is a great post and has made me realize I should start using banners more.
David@seo invites you to read…Thirty Day Video Challenge
You’re welcome, David.
Thanks for another great tip, Ana. I’m working on my own products page and will definitely use yours as a guide.
Hugs,
Melody
Melody | Deliberate Receiving invites you to read…How To Get Out Of A Funk
You’re most welcome, Melody.
Hey Ana,
Thanks for mentioning me in your post. I am happy to hear that the banners are helping you get more clicks.
You have been instrumental in helping me expand my graphic design business and I greatly appreciate all of your help.
Thank you very much Ana
PS. If anyone is looking for a graphic/web designer, you can contact me through my blog: http://ian-belanger.com/about or send me an email at belangeri@mail.com
Thanks,
Ian
Ian Belanger@Network Marketing Success invites you to read…Free Traffic Tips Part 1 | How To Get More Free Traffic To Your Website
It’s my pleasure, Ian and thank you for the kind words.
Ana | Traffic Generation invites you to read…How to Get the Facebook Crowd to Like You More
Hey Ian,
I totally trust Ana’s judgement at this point, plus they do look great to me.
Please take a quick glance at my place and tell me if you think you can do a good match job; feel free to email me to discuss it.
Please don’t be fooled by the look, I actually have 2 bars on either side, I just haven’t filled them in yet. lol
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing invites you to read…Your Home Business – Is It Your Business or Hobby?
Hey Dennis,
I checked out your site and sent you an email to the address you gave on your contact page.
I don’t want to hijack Ana’s comments, so let me know if that is the best email to send to.
Thanks
Ian Belanger@Network Marketing Success invites you to read…Blokube Review
It is, I got it and replied.
Dennis Edell@ Direct Sales Marketing invites you to read…Your Home Business – Is It Your Business or Hobby?
You ROCK, Ian! I absolutely LOVE your work!
Warmly,
Mavis
Mavis Nong | Online Business Tools invites you to read…Ministry of Traffic LIVE Event – Where Were YOU?
An interesting post Ana; goes to show the most valuable pages on your site do not have to be ‘marketed’ but just filled with well researched information.
Have a great weekend
Absolutely, Dave. Good info brings good traffic.
I would have guessed the toolkit page would have made the most money - I have even clicked it a few times myself. But I do wonder about your sidebar ads as well. Would you say that those make more money than the toolkit page?
IM Nick@Internet Marketing Blog invites you to read…Increase Web Traffic By Leveraging Old Content
It depends on how you look at it, Nick.
My sidebar ads obviously get a lot more page views, but they don’t convert views into clicks as well.
Resource page is much more targeted, so it converts a whole lot better. That’s why I named it my best-earning page on the blog.