Welcome back everybody to the deep dive.
This time we're looking into making money online,
specifically with websites.
Yeah, your sources actually go way deeper
than just the usual like throwing ads up on a site.
Okay, so what are we actually talking about here?
What kind of strategies?
Well, one is interesting.
It's almost like you're a landlord online.
You build a site, but instead of it being for your business,
you lease it to somebody else.
So it's like I build an online apartment building,
but instead of people, I get a business to move in.
Exactly, and you would want to pick something
pretty specific like a local service,
you know, plumbers or something.
Okay, so I build this great site for plumbers,
find a plumber who needs more customers, and then.
And then you're essentially their online storefront.
They get the customers, you get a steady income.
All right, so I'm the matchmaker.
I bring together the website and the plumber,
but how do we set the rent?
How much do they pay me?
It all comes down to the value you're providing.
You gotta factor in things like how much each lead
is worth to that plumber,
how many leads the site is bringing in,
and what the plumber usually charges for their work.
Makes sense.
Yeah.
You want both sides to feel good about the deal.
And sometimes it seems like in the sources they said,
sometimes these website owners would actually handle
those first contacts from potential customers,
like a virtual receptionist.
Yeah, and it makes sense,
especially if the plumber isn't very tech savvy,
you make things super easy for them.
And you can also make sure the leads are actually good.
So the plumber is only paying for real potential customers.
But of course, this all relies on trust.
One of the sources told a story about a pool company
that totally stiffed the person who was sending them leads.
Oh, for sure.
If you're gonna do this build and rent model,
you gotta have really clear communication
and fair deals from the beginning.
You're both in it together for the long haul, hopefully.
Right, you're both invested in each other's success.
So that's the build and rent model.
What are some other ways to make money with websites?
Well, instead of having one tenant,
you could kind of scale things up
and create a directory website.
Like a specific Yelp, right?
So instead of everything,
it's just the best vegan restaurants
or the top dog groomers in the city.
Exactly, the businesses in that niche
would list themselves on your site.
And maybe you could even charge more
for those top spots in the list.
Okay, I get it.
So instead of getting rent from one business,
I have multiple businesses paying to be on my directory.
That sounds like it could really grow fast too.
Yeah, the scaling potential is definitely there.
And it's good because if one business leaves,
you're not suddenly out all your income.
Plus that directory itself could be a valuable thing
you could sell later on.
There's always a catch though, right?
What makes this directory model tricky?
You gotta get enough businesses to sign up
and you gotta market it really well.
Your sources actually said
that the really broad directories are struggling.
It's all about niche directories now.
Hmm, so no more businesses and Boise website.
Instead, it's the best Boise Bonsai Tree experts.
Right, you gotta find those communities
that are really passionate about something specific
and then you become the go-to resource for them.
Okay, so we have the build and rent model and the directory.
Is there a third way to make money online?
You could sell leads directly.
So instead of renting out the website or a listing,
you just generate the leads and sell them straight
to the businesses who need customers.
So I'm not the storefront and I'm not the marketplace.
I'm like the supplier bringing the valuable raw material,
the potential customers.
Exactly, and there are so many ways to do that
like using SEO, paid advertising,
and even just making really good content
that attracts people.
Okay, so that's where my SEO knowledge comes in.
I need to figure out what people are searching for,
those really specific needle in a haystack searches.
Yep, one of the sources actually found
a really cool way to do that.
He saw there was a huge rat problem in DC
and that made him realize.
That there must be a ton of people
looking for pest control services.
So he built a website and started selling those leads
to exterminators.
That's it, it's all about understanding
what people are searching for and connecting the dots
between everyday problems and the businesses
who solve those problems.
You could target people with allergies
or people who need movers.
It just depends on what you see going on around you.
Man, this is starting to sound more like detective work
than website building.
But okay, let's say I figured out
how to get all these leads,
how do I connect with the businesses?
Do I just cold call them?
You can, but building trust is key.
One of your sources suggested using personalized videos.
Using something like Bomb Bomb,
it feels much more personal than a regular email.
I like that, it's a nice human touch.
But how do I actually prove that my leads are valuable?
You need a way to track where those leads go
and show the businesses that you're actually bringing in
paying customers.
A good tracking system is essential.
So we have build and rent, directories,
and direct lead selling.
Three really different models
with their own unique challenges.
But before we dive into the details,
are there any common things we should keep in mind
no matter what?
Yeah, let's talk about that next.
We should cover things like finding the right niche,
building a website that actually converts and all that.
All right, the deep dive is about to get real.
Hang on everybody, we're just getting started.
It's kind of cool how these website models,
they're like flipping the script
on how we usually think about online businesses.
Like instead of building your own brand,
you're the one connecting businesses with their customers.
Yeah, I get what you mean.
We're like the online real estate developers, right?
We find the good spots online
and then build something for specific businesses.
Exactly, and just like with real estate,
it's all about location, location, location.
Finding the right niche,
knowing what people want in that area,
and then finding the right businesses to work with,
that's key.
And speaking of niches,
my research really hammered home
that specializing is the way to go.
Like you were saying, those giant directories
that try to cover everything, they're not doing so hot.
It's the super specific ones that are booming.
Right, people online are looking for really specific things.
Think about it, they don't just search for dog food,
they search for organic, grain-free dog food delivery
in San Francisco.
That's the kind of search you gotta master.
One of the sources,
a guy who builds a ton of these websites,
he said he sees the world differently now,
always looking for those everyday problems
that could be turned into an online opportunity.
He's like that guy in DC with the rat problem.
Most people would just be grossed out,
but he saw a business opportunity.
Exactly, a huge demand for pest control.
So he builds a website, gets those leads,
and connects with the exterminators
who are happy to pay for them.
He's like a digital problem solver.
Yeah.
Finding those pain points
and then creating a solution that benefits everyone.
So instead of complaining about the lack
of good vegan restaurants in my town,
I should be building a website for them.
That's the idea.
You become the go-to resource for that specific need.
You could do it for anything,
wildfire protection, snow removal,
even hurricane window installers,
whatever makes sense in that area.
I'm getting so many ideas now.
But it can't just be about throwing up a website
and hoping for the best, right?
We gotta make sure the businesses we're working with
are actually good at what they do.
Absolutely, you're putting your reputation on the line.
If you send someone a lead for a plumber
who does a terrible job, that reflects badly on you.
Makes sense.
I wouldn't recommend a bad hotel to a friend,
so I wouldn't recommend a bad business
to someone through my website.
It's all about building those long-term relationships
where everyone benefits.
You're looking for businesses that care about quality
and customer satisfaction as much as you do.
One of the SEO experts we looked at,
he really stressed the importance of data and testing.
It's not enough to just build a website
and cross your fingers.
Yeah, he was talking about how he has a whole team
dedicated to researching, testing,
and tweaking their strategies all the time.
Because Google's always changing things up,
you gotta stay ahead of the game.
So they're like scientists in a digital lab,
always running experiments and using data to make decisions.
That's gotta be so important in such a fast-paced field.
Oh, totally.
And that data-driven approach
applies to working with clients too.
Right, you have to be able to prove
that you're bringing them value.
It's not enough to just say, hey, I sent you some leads.
You gotta show them how those leads
are turning into paying customers.
Exactly, you gotta be able to demonstrate
that return on investment,
show them how many leads converted, how much they spent.
That's the kind of stuff that matters to businesses.
You know what surprised me in the research?
Some of these bigger operations are using call centers now.
Yeah, one guy who runs a whole network of websites,
he was saying he has a call center
to handle those first inquiries,
qualifying leads, and even scheduling appointments.
Wow, so they're like a virtual receptionist service
on top of everything else.
Exactly, it's about making the whole process
as smooth and efficient as possible, and speed is key.
They were talking about KPIs,
those key performance indicators,
and their goal was to respond to inquiries within seconds.
Seconds.
It's wild, right?
But that's the world we live in now.
People expect instant answers.
If you don't respond right away,
they'll just move on to someone who does.
The early bird gets the worm, as they say,
or in this case, the early responder gets the lead
and the customer.
You gotta have systems in place to automate those responses.
That's how you stay ahead of the game.
One of the sources actually compared navigating
this whole online business world to playing poker.
You gotta know where to hold them
and know when to fold them.
You gotta be smart about choosing your battles.
Not every niche is gonna be a winner,
not every business partnership is gonna work out.
So you need the smarts to know when to go all in
on a good opportunity, and the wisdom to walk away
when something's not working.
And that takes self-awareness,
knowing what you're good at and what you're not good at,
and being brave enough to make tough decisions.
It's not always easy, but it's what you gotta do
to succeed in the long run.
And you gotta be able to handle those setbacks,
the bumps in the road that are gonna happen
with any new business.
One guy told this story about playing football
with his older brothers when he was a kid.
He'd get knocked down all the time,
but he'd always get back up and keep playing.
That's resilience, and it sounds like that's what's helped
him succeed in business, too.
It's about having that grit, that determination
to overcome obstacles and keep going,
even when things are tough.
That's what separates the winners from the quitters.
And you gotta learn from those experiences,
the good and the bad.
One of the sources was really big
on having a testing mindset.
He's all about experimenting, analyzing the data,
and constantly tweaking his approach.
He sees every setback as a chance to learn and get better.
And you gotta have the right people around you,
a team that shares your vision
and pushes you to be your best.
He believes in having a diverse team with different skills,
people who can bring fresh ideas and help each other succeed.
It's not a solo mission, it's a team effort.
And you need to build a company culture
that encourages creativity, collaboration,
and always striving for excellence.
He's all about creating a positive
and supportive environment where everyone feels valued
and empowered to do their best work,
a place where people can thrive,
both individually and as a team.
And you have to invest in your team,
give them the resources and support
to keep learning and growing.
He's a big believer in continuous learning,
both for himself and his team.
He's always looking for ways
to expand their knowledge and skills
because he knows that staying ahead of the curve
is crucial in the online world.
It's inspiring to see how much he prioritizes growth,
both personally and professionally.
At the end of the day,
it's all about finding that balance, right?
Working hard, but also enjoying the fruits of your labor.
He talked about making sure he has time for family
and his hobbies because true success isn't just about work,
it's about living a full life.
It's about creating a life you're passionate about,
both at work and outside of work.
One thing that really struck me in the research
was how much emphasis there was on mentorship
and sharing knowledge.
There's a real sense of community in this field.
Yeah, a lot of these successful entrepreneurs
are really passionate about giving back
and helping others succeed.
They know they wouldn't be where they are
without the help they got along the way.
It's great to see them pay it forward,
sharing what they've learned
and helping the next generation of online entrepreneurs.
One guy actually said that seeing his team members
and business partners succeed is even more satisfying
than his own personal achievements.
It's about helping others reach their full potential.
It's like creating a ripple effect of success,
empowering others to achieve their dreams
and make a positive impact.
It's all about collaboration and support,
knowing that we're all in this together.
That sense of community, that shared journey,
it's what makes this field so special and inspiring.
It's not just about websites and leads,
it's about relationships, empowering others
and making the online world
a more vibrant and connected place.
And that's a mission worth pursuing.
One thing that came up over and over again
was the importance of having multiple streams of income.
These smart entrepreneurs,
they're always looking for ways to diversify
and create more stability.
Totally.
They know that putting all your eggs in one basket
is risky, especially in the online world
where things are always changing.
So they're always exploring new opportunities,
testing different strategies
and building multiple income streams
to create a more stable and sustainable business.
One guy said he started with those rank and rent websites
but then branched out into affiliate marketing,
selling digital products,
even investing in other businesses.
So he's not just a website guy anymore,
he's a full-fledged entrepreneur.
That ability to adapt,
to change your approach as the market changes,
that's what's key for long-term success.
You gotta be flexible
and ready to jump on new opportunities when they pop up.
It's that classic entrepreneurial spirit
that drive to learn, grow and try new things.
And what's cool is that these models,
they can be applied to pretty much any industry.
Oh, absolutely.
Healthcare, finance, education, pet grooving,
you name it, the principles are the same.
Find a niche, understand your audience,
build a great website, master SEO, get those leads
and build strong relationships with the businesses.
And be adaptable, innovative
and use data to make decisions.
One of the SEO experts we looked at,
he talked about how crucial it is
to always be testing and refining your approach.
Because those search engine algorithms
are constantly changing.
If you wanna stay ahead of the game,
you gotta be willing to experiment and adapt.
He said he has a whole team dedicated to analyzing data,
tracking results and looking for new opportunities.
They're always learning and improving.
That's what sets them apart.
It's that constant desire to learn and get better.
And you gotta be able to handle those challenges,
those setbacks that are bound to happen
when you're building a business.
He told this story about one of his websites
that was doing really well.
And then all of a sudden it lost a ton of traffic
because Google changed their algorithm.
Oh man, that's a nightmare scenario.
But instead of freaking out, he and his team got together,
analyzed the data, figured out what went wrong,
and came up with a new strategy
that ended up being even more successful.
It's all about resilience, bouncing back from adversity
and coming out stronger on the other side.
It's about seeing those setbacks not as failures,
but as opportunities to learn and grow.
It's about having that grit, that never give up attitude.
And it's about remembering that success
isn't about reaching a certain point.
It's about the journey, the process of getting there.
It's about enjoying the ride, embracing the challenges,
and celebrating those small wins along the way.
You can achieve anything you set your mind to
as long as you're willing to put in the work
and never give up on your dreams.
You got this.
You know, what's interesting is how this whole approach
to making money online kind of challenges
the way we traditionally think about branding.
Right, instead of trying to build a recognizable brand,
you're more like a behind the scenes facilitator
connecting businesses with their customers.
One of the guys who builds these rank and rent sites,
he said he actually chooses really generic names
for his websites on purpose.
Yeah, that way if one business decides to leave,
he can easily transition the site to a new tenant.
It's all about flexibility.
It lets them focus on what really matters,
getting those leads and delivering results.
It's a more practical approach,
focusing on functionality over flash.
And that practicality extends to the way
they design their websites too.
Absolutely, they're all about user-friendly designs
that are optimized for getting those leads.
It's not about having the fanciest
or most beautiful website.
It's about making sure it's easy to navigate,
the message is clear,
and it effectively captures those leads.
Substance Over Style, that's the name of the game.
And the same goes for their content.
They're all about creating high quality,
informative content that actually provides value
to the people reading it.
No click bait or gimmicks, just helpful information.
It's about building trust with your audience,
establishing credibility,
and showing that you're an expert in that niche.
And that approach to content not only helps with SEO,
but also strengthens those relationships
with the businesses you're working with.
It creates a win-win situation where everyone benefits.
One of the most inspiring things
about this whole approach to website monetization
is the emphasis on building those long-term,
mutually beneficial relationships.
It's not just about making a quick buck.
It's about creating partnerships based on trust,
respect, and working together to succeed.
One of the sources,
a woman who runs a successful SEO agency,
she talked about how important it is
to really get to know the businesses she works with,
understand their needs, and find ways to help them grow.
She said she often goes above and beyond for her clients,
providing them with valuable insights,
connecting them with other resources,
and even helping them develop their marketing strategies.
She's not just a service provider,
she's a true partner in their success.
And that approach builds loyalty,
creates strong relationships,
and leads to a more sustainable
and rewarding business model.
It's about recognizing that your success
is tied to the success of your clients.
And that by helping them achieve their goals,
you ultimately achieve your own.
You know, it's really interesting
how well these online business models fit
with the whole trend of remote work and the gig economy.
Totally.
They offer a level of flexibility and freedom
that traditional jobs just can't match.
One of the guys we looked at,
he's built a whole bunch of those rank and rent websites,
and he was saying how this business model
has allowed him to travel the world,
spend more time with his family,
and do all the things he loves.
He said he can work from anywhere
with an internet connection,
setting his own hours,
and creating a lifestyle that he truly enjoys.
That's the dream.
It's about having the freedom to design your own life,
work on projects that you're passionate about,
and create a schedule that fits your needs.
That sense of autonomy and control is so empowering.
It allows you to break free
from the constraints of a traditional job
and build a career that's truly fulfilling
and meaningful to you.
It's about becoming the architect of your own destiny,
designing a life that aligns with your values,
your passions, and your aspirations.
It's a powerful thing.
One thing that really stood out in my research
was the importance of having a strong support system.
Oh, absolutely.
Building a successful online business can be tough,
and it's so important to have people you can turn to
for guidance, encouragement, and accountability.
One woman who's built a really successful Asessio agency,
she said that having mentors was crucial to her success.
They gave her advice,
helped her through those early challenges,
and gave her the confidence to keep going
when things got tough.
And she talked about how important it is
to surround yourself with a positive
and supportive community, both online and offline.
It makes a huge difference.
Having that sense of connection,
knowing you're not alone in this journey,
it can provide a sense of purpose,
a network of support,
and a source of inspiration and motivation.
It's a reminder that we're all in this together.
You know, I found the discussion about the future of SEO
and the impact of artificial intelligence or AI
really fascinating.
Yeah, a lot of the sources talked about
how AI is rapidly changing the online business world,
and anyone who wants to succeed needs to adapt.
It's exciting and a little scary at the same time.
One guy said he's already using AI tools
to do things like keyword research,
content creation, and even website design.
He thinks AI is only gonna become more powerful
and integrated into our workflows in the future.
It's definitely coming.
So we need to embrace those advancements,
learn those new tools,
and figure out how to use AI to our advantage.
But it's important to remember that AI is a tool,
not a replacement for human creativity and ingenuity.
It's about finding that balance
between using the power of AI
and maintaining that human touch
that's so important for building relationships
and making those genuine connections.
One of the seasoned SEO experts we looked at,
he stressed the importance of sticking
to those fundamental principles,
even as technology changes.
He said that while AI can be helpful for automating tasks,
Google's ultimate goal is still to provide users
with the most relevant and valuable search results.
You can't lose sight of that.
Exactly.
Creating great content,
building user-friendly websites,
and focusing on a positive user experience,
those will always be essential for success in SEO.
It all comes back to people.
It's about connecting with your audience,
understanding what they need,
and providing them with something valuable.
And that human connection,
that'll never go out of style.
It's amazing how much these guys are always learning
and expanding their skills.
They're not content with just knowing one thing.
They're always branching out and trying new things.
One guy said he started out just focusing on SEO,
but then he realized that if he really wanted to succeed,
he needed to learn a bunch of other stuff too.
Website design, content marketing, social media,
even a bit of coding.
So it's not enough to be a specialist in one area.
You gotta be more like a digital marketing Swiss army knife
ready for anything.
Exactly.
And it's that commitment to constantly learning new things
that really sets them apart.
They're like lifelong students of the online world,
always hungry for more knowledge.
They're not afraid to try new things,
to challenge themselves,
and to keep pushing their boundaries.
I get it, you know?
The online world is constantly changing,
so you gotta change with it.
If you're not learning and adapting,
you're falling behind.
One of the women we looked at,
she runs a super successful online business,
and she talked about how she embraces lifelong learning,
not just because it helps her business,
but because she genuinely enjoys it.
She's always reading books, going to conferences,
taking online courses, connecting with experts.
She's built this incredible network
of knowledge around herself.
It's like she's created her own personal university
for success.
It's so cool to see.
She just loves learning new things,
and that keeps her inspired and constantly growing.
And it's not just about stuffing your head
with information, right?
It's about broadening your perspective,
challenging your assumptions,
and finding new ways to solve problems.
It's about becoming a more well-rounded,
adaptable, and innovative person.
You know, one thing that really impressed me
in all this research was the importance of perseverance.
Building a successful online business, it's not easy.
You have to face challenges, make mistakes,
and have moments where you just wanna give up.
One of the sources,
this guy who's built a massive online business,
he said his path to success was anything but smooth.
He had setbacks, he messed up,
and there were definitely times when he doubted himself.
But he never quit.
He learned from his mistakes,
he changed his approach when he needed to,
and he just kept pushing forward.
That's what makes all the difference.
He had this unwavering belief in himself and his vision,
and that's what ultimately got him to where he is today.
It's a great reminder that we can achieve
anything we set our minds to as long as we don't give up.
It's so true, those setbacks, those challenges,
they're not failures,
they're opportunities to learn and grow.
They're like stepping stones on the path to success.
It's about having that grit,
that determination to keep going even when things are tough.
And remembering that success isn't a finish line,
it's a journey.
It's about enjoying the process,
embracing the challenges,
and celebrating those wins along the way.
You got this.
You can achieve anything you set your mind to
as long as you're willing to put in the effort
and never give up on your dreams.
So as we wrap up this deep dive,
what's the one thing you hope our listeners take away
from all of this?
What's that golden nugget of wisdom
they can carry with them?
I think the biggest takeaway is that
there's no magic bullet,
no secret formula for success online.
It all comes down to those basic principles,
hard work, perseverance, being able to adapt,
and willingness to keep learning and growing.
It's about having that entrepreneurial spirit,
that creative spark,
and the confidence to believe in yourself
and your ability to make your dreams a reality.
And never forget,
the journey itself is just as important as the destination.
So keep exploring, keep experimenting, keep learning,
and don't ever give up on those dreams.
The online world is constantly changing,
so embrace those changes, adapt your approach,
and keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
The future is yours to create.
Thanks for joining us on the Deep Dive.