The 80/20 rule also known as the Pareto principle has always been a guiding light for me in business.
You see it’s not about working harder but smarter.
In the world of AdSense and Amazon sites this principle is a real game-changer.
You can significantly boost your earnings with minimal effort by focusing on the right things.
Optimizing for Search Engine Visibility
Think about it: Search engine optimization (SEO) is the lifeblood of these websites.
When people search Google they’re looking for solutions.
If your site provides those answers you’re in the driver’s seat.
You can guide them towards the information they need or even nudge them toward a product or service you’re promoting.
The Power of Keyword Research and Link Building
The first thing I do with a new AdSense or Amazon site is to check which pages are ranking on Google’s first page.
These are your golden nuggets – pages that Google clearly favors.
Now here’s where the 80/20 rule shines: I use those high-ranking pages to boost the ranking of other pages on my site.
It’s like transferring some of that “Google juice.” I can do this by strategically linking to other pages from these top performers.
Tools like SEMrush are invaluable for this.
SEMrush is like a Swiss Army knife for SEO.
It helps you uncover hidden gems: keywords you may have missed during your initial research.
It also shows you what pages are ranking on the second and third pages of Google.
The Secret Sauce: Content Optimization
This is where I put the 80/20 principle to work.
I take those undervalued keywords those ones hiding on the second or third page and I weave them into my existing content.
Think about it this way: If a page is already ranking for a keyword it’s likely related to the topic.
I don’t want to cram in keywords just for the sake of it.
I’m aiming for seamless integration.
I add 200-500-word paragraphs or even whole sections about those keywords making sure the information flows naturally with the existing content.
It’s like adding a new layer of value to my website.
Beyond Text: The Power of Image Optimization
Let’s face it images are the silent heroes of SEO.
Most people understand the importance of “Alt Text” – that descriptive text that pops up if an image can’t be displayed.
It’s like giving Google a text-based explanation of the image.
But there’s another trick that few people use: filename optimization.
Instead of those random filenames like “SomethingTotallyRandom.jpg” I use descriptive filenames that include the keywords I’m targeting.
It’s like sending a clear message to Google about the image’s content.
The Speed Factor: Fast Websites Happy Visitors (and Google!)
Google loves websites that load fast.
It’s all about providing a great experience for the searcher their customer.
A fast-loading site is seen as more active more fresh and possibly even more authoritative than a slow one.
Google actually provides a free tool to test your site speed: “Google Speed Test.” It not only gives you a score but it also points out what needs fixing.
This is where the 80/20 rule really comes into play.
Often a few minor tweaks can have a big impact.
For example optimizing images can dramatically improve loading times.
The WordPress plugin “WP Smush It” is a lifesaver for this.
Beyond SEO: Monetization Tweaks for Maximum Impact
So far we’ve talked about optimizing your website for search engines.
But what about maximizing your revenue? Here are a few monetization tweaks that can make a big difference:
AdSense: Split Testing for Higher Conversions
If you’re using AdSense on your WordPress site you absolutely need to check out AmpedSense.
It’s a plugin that lets you split test your ads.
It’s incredibly easy to use even for beginners.
You can test different ad placements – skyscrapers versus square boxes for instance.
AmpedSense tracks the performance of each ad and tells you which one is winning.
This means you’re only showing ads that are converting at the highest rate.
Media.net: Expanding Your Ad Network
While AdSense often reigns supreme there are other players worth exploring.
Media.net is one example.
It can be used to split test against AdSense or even to complement AdSense ads.
Amazon Affiliate Links: Split Testing for Maximum Profit
Amazon affiliate links are a popular monetization method for these types of sites.
You can test different placements for your links but there’s also a hidden gem: split testing the links themselves.
This is where link rotators come into play.
They let you send different portions of your traffic to different affiliate links.
For example instead of linking to just one mattress on your “back pain” article you could use a link rotator to send half your traffic to one mattress listing and the other half to a different listing.
By tracking your sales through Amazon’s backoffice you can see which link is performing best.
It’s like running a little A/B test for your Amazon links.
Amazon Tracking IDs: Knowing Where Your Sales Are Coming From
Using Amazon tracking IDs can help you pinpoint exactly which links are driving sales.
This information is essential for maximizing your affiliate earnings.
Amazon gives you a default tracking ID but you can create more to track individual links.
You can see all your tracking IDs in your Amazon backoffice.
By using a link rotator and individual tracking IDs you can gain invaluable insight into your affiliate sales.
It’s like having a crystal ball for your Amazon affiliate program.
The Big Picture: Elevating Your Website to Authority Status
The tweaks we’ve discussed are great for boosting revenue quickly.
But if you’re aiming to transform your AdSense and Amazon sites into true authority sites you need to think bigger.
The Power of Email Marketing
Email marketing is a powerful engine for building relationships and driving traffic back to your site.
You can use tools like Thrive Content Builder to create compelling content and even split test different variations.
The Swipe File: Mastering Email Subject Lines
A swipe file is a collection of proven email subject lines that have high open rates.
You can create your own swipe file by studying your own email inbox.
Which emails do you instinctively open? These are likely using powerful subject line strategies.
Beyond SEO: The Social Media Advantage
SEO is great but diversifying your traffic sources is essential for long-term growth.
Social media presents a huge opportunity.
Youtube: Your Personal Website Ranked on Google
Each Youtube video is like a mini-website.
You can rank them on Google and Youtube itself the second largest search engine in the world.
Instagram and Pinterest: Visual Content Powerhouse
If your niche is visually driven Instagram and Pinterest can be a goldmine for traffic.
Paid Traffic: Fast-Tracking Your Growth
Paid traffic from platforms like Google Adwords Facebook PPC and Twitter can accelerate your growth.
However it’s crucial to manage your budget carefully.
The Final Word: Mastering Conversion Optimization
Ultimately it’s about mastering conversion optimization.
You’re building these websites to make money and without conversions there’s no money to be had.
By focusing on the right strategies you can increase website value and even become a successful website flipper.
It’s a journey that can be both rewarding and lucrative.
I’ve seen it firsthand and I hope this article has given you some valuable insights to get you started.