Image by Salon de Maria via Flickr

Hopefully you were able to find good keywords or at least one keyword that you think you may have a chance at ranking. If so, then it is time for you to setup your first site. And if you want to go the free route, here are some pointers.

The first thing you will want to do before setting up your first website is decide on which platform you want to use. Each has their benefits and drawbacks, so you will need to think about these before you start. For example, while Squidoo does have a good page rank and is easy to setup, they are pretty strict when it comes to topic. Is your topic going to look too much like spam to them, or can you actually come up with some quality content that is relevant and that people will want to read?

Setting up a free website is very easy and a rather straightforward process. You can go to Hubpages, Blogger, Webs, Wetpaint and a host of other places to do this. However, if you want to make some money off of the free website, you will want to probably use Hubpages, Squidoo, or Blogger as these sites will allow you to use modules like eBay and Amazon that can generate some cash plus add at least one link to an affiliate product.

Of course, if you have no idea what in the world I am talking about when I say modules or affiliate products, that is okay. I will explain that further in a bit.

But first, before you start putting up content, you will want to set up an account with Amazon and Google (and eBay if you have your own domain). This is very easy to do. You can type in google adsense in Google and you will see the link to adsense where you can sign up for an account. For Amazon, just type in Amazon associates in Google and you will find the link there too. You will have to put in your social security number or business tax id number. I know that the idea of putting in your ss# is a little scary for some of us, but if you do not want to spend the money on getting a tax id number right now, then you will have to do this in order to get paid any money on your referrals/clicks/sales.

Okay, so you next step will be to set up an account with either hubpages or squidoo. I, myself, recommend hubpages as they are a little more lenient on letting you put link(s) in your hub, but you can choose the method you like the best.

Joining the sites is very easy. It is just like joining any other site, your name, email address, etc. Some people like to use the keyword they are targeting as their user name, however, if you want to set up multiple lenses/hubs in different categories this may not be your best choice. Of course there are ways you can set up multiple accounts, but that is a lesson for later. Too much information now and you may feel overwhelmed. Remember, quiet the internet marketing noise.

Once you have your account setup, you will want to start setting up a free website around your keywords that you researched earlier. Each hub or lens should include your keywords in the title. For example, if you want to promote something in the health niche and the keyword you want to target is women’s weight loss, then your title/site address should include “women’s weight loss” and could be Easy Women’s Weight Loss or Keys to Women’s Weight Loss. Just be sure to include your keywords in there.

Next, you will want to add content/modules to your site. Now is the time you refer back to your research on what the top hubs/lenses look like and how they are put together that makes them well liked. You will want to follow the same blueprint. Do they have video? What type of pictures do they have? How are they arranged…video first, picture first, content first, etc. And you will want to be sure to give good content. Don’t just put a bunch of BS in there, give out some good, worthwhile information. It may take you a bit to do some research and come up with what to write, but that is what you have to do. Remember, anyone who says that you can make a zillion dollars without working for it is LYING!! Internet Marketing is work. Anyone who says different is just feeding you a line.

Okay, off of my little soapbox and back to what you came here for.

Just remember, if you give out good content, you stand a much better chance at being rewarded with clicks and sales. Put yourself in the shoes of your prospect. Would you read what you wrote or would you click away?

So, after setting up a free website and adding some good content, you will want to include the Amazon, eBay, and/or Adsense modules. When you add these you will be asked for your affiliate/adsense information so that you can be credited when someone clicks on the links and buys something. Take some time with these too and put in things that you think your readers would click on. Don’t just go for the highest price tag, as a lot of little sales can add up over time.

So basically, without overwhelming you too much with all of the other details, this is the simplest way to make money setting up a free website. Of course, next you will need to learn how to get people to your website so you can start getting some clicks and cash in your coffers. But that is for the next lesson.

Now, get out there and take some action on what you have just learned.

Next: How To Get Free Traffic to Your Website