Confessions of a Six Figure Professional Blogger

What Are Your Biggest Challenges To Making Money Online?

January 8, 2009 | Feature, Ramblings

As this post goes live to my blog, I am currently on a cruise ship. My wife and I are somewhere in the Caribbean and my blog is on automatic (gotta love the future posting ability of Wordpress). So, instead of me talking too much today, I have a question for you…

As we look ahead to 2009, and as I set my goals for the coming year, I want to make sure that this blog becomes a “go to” resource for budding online entrepreneurs. There are certainly no shortage of sites out there who talk about this, but I think I have something unique to add to the niche. And I’ve developed a reputation for plain-English speak over on PCMech that I think I can also bring to the area of online business.

To make sure that I cover what YOU need and want, I want to directly ASK you. How’s THAT for a novel concept?!

So, what do you think are your biggest challenges as you try to make some money on the Internet?

What do you want to know? What do you need help with?

Time to step up on the soapbox and you talk to me. Post a comment and let me know.

Oh, and like I said, I’m on a cruise so keep in mind that comments are moderated and might not show up until I have a chance to get a Hoover taken to my wallet by Princess Cruise Line in order to get online and moderate comments. How does 75 cents per minute cost for internet access while on the ship?! Bah!

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  • Making money online is not as that easy, since the tragedy of this internet is, not a definite method is workable to make money . the only solution to make money is test..test.. test...
  • Hey, my biggest challenge is probably getting traffic to the blog and optimizing the blog for search engines.
  • My biggest challenge is my site redesign + the logisitcs of how to best serve my visitors, provide a pleasing experience and to integrate commerce naturally and unobtrusively.
  • Marion Davidson
    The biggest challenge I face is deciding what to put in my BLOG that will be of any interest to my audience. I see a lot of useless, pointless BLOGS out there that make me say HUH? Are people REALLY making money by selling subscriptions to watch someone do 100 eye motions in 60 seconds? That is 1 real life video on U-TUBE. Actually, there is so much garbage on U-TUBE that I rarely visit it anymore. So, where is the point in putting any REAL value on a U-TUBE video when the idiots are running off the only people who may have the resources to keep them in business?
    Which leads me back to my original point. What do I put in a BLOG that is useful, informative, and yet prompts people to buy something that I have to sell?
  • Much like many of the others commentors, driving traffic to the blog seems to be the most difficult aspect. Many places regurgitate the same tips as one another, yet it's much harder to do than they make out.

    It's not as simple as build it and they will come. I've been posting 5/6 times a week minimum, yet without visitors, that content is being pretty much wasted.
  • My biggest challenge is my full time job. I work 84 hours every 2 weeks, and so that really limits my time. I am striving right now to work on my sites in my off time, but there's only so much time before I have to go to work again.

    Hopefully I'll be able to retire soon enough.
  • Hi David,

    Hope you are enjoying your cruise!

    My biggest challenge is like most people, getting more qualified traffic to my websites.

    I want to learn more about Blogging and using social networking sites to drive traffic to my sites.

    I look forward to learning more from you.

    I just joined as a Gold member and will be sending lots of people to this site because I think it has great info for beginner and also advanced Internet Marketers.

    Have a great day!

    Robert Garcia
  • I think as a general point, the first job is to make sure your design, proposition and content have the right tone and are on-message for the brand perception you want to create.

    Repeat visits are what's needed, not misleading traffic peaks. Once that's sorted, then you can focus on driving visits.

    Personally, I'm happy with all the above, though my blog is a niche market company blog rather than a broader business interest one, so different factors apply.

    So, it's traffic that I want to generate, to which end I found your blog outposts post really useful; in terms of putting everything in context. I'm fairly new to your blog so will have to trawl the archives but more of the same plain talking please!

    @Marc
    I think you should just dive in and choose a name. You can always re-map the blog to another address at a later date. Chances are though, your first insticts will be right.

    If you have aspirations to become a personal brand/commodity then use your name. If not, come up with a business name that is distintly different to capture the search market for that term.

    Enjoy the rest of your cruise David! :-)
  • The biggest challenge for me is learning to efficiently use social networks to drive traffic to my blog. I have been successful with StumbleUpon, but I have failed to gain much traction with other social networks.
  • I would like to see more about blog design, ad placement, colors, set up, etc.

    I know it has an impact on traffic. I personally visit sites more often that I find appealing to the eye.

    Thanks.
  • I think more scenario-based guidance for monetization strategies, along with a roadmap would help.

    There's a lot of paths, pitfalls, and practices ... and some approaches just don't fit with a blog or a blogger's intent, so laying out the frame would be great.
  • A lot of internet marketing gurus say that 'Money is on the list.' Well, I think that for me is my major challenge in making money online.

    I believe you need to build a considerable list of subscribers to your products and build a good brand to the end that sales will not be a problem for you any longer. People will follow your every move, they'll be at your every beck and call. So, that definitely is my biggest challenge and what I intend to improve on for now. :)
  • Osinachi
    Gi David

    I would say that my problem is my geographical location where credit/debit card can not work, therefore setting up my domain name become the first obstacle, any help on this will be highly appreciated. Thanks

    Osinach
  • My biggest challenge for 2009 is building traffic that becomes loyal readers. I've just started my venture and while I'm well known in my niche already for my personal blog, I'm nervous about a commercialized site and how to attract similar people.

    My other challenge (I know you asked for one) is how to generate advertising on an adult oriented site without GoogleAds or porn marketing. I want class not trash.
  • David, I want to ask you something. Does directory listing help me with serp, with my blog? Or I should really go social and forget about directory listing?
    I am just curios.
  • Right now my biggest stumbling block is the naming of my blog/business. I mean everything is hanging on it from blog design to Twitter username.

    I'm heavily leaning towards following your footsteps and using my real name but there are still a few doubts.

    I'd also like to echo Mike's call for setting realistic/achievable goals
  • I'd echo Chris' point - like him I'm in the "traffic building" phase and quite new to this.
    My biggest problem is time - I just need more hours in the day, so any help or advice to make the best of the time I have available would be great.
    I would also like some help in objective setting. I have written objective for my blog in terms of traffic and income, but I really don't know how realistic they are. So some kind of help in that direction would be great - what is realistic to expect after 3 months, 6 months and so on?
    Have a great cruise mate, and I hope you'll tell us all about it when you get back!
  • I'm wondering how to make the most of a hobby niche which doesn't have many products to promote, not many retailers with affiliate programmes etc.
  • I think my biggest challenge right now is just getting traffic. There are some things I can work a little harder at - like posting and commenting more on related blogs and forums, and reaching out more to the Twitter community - but It's beginning to feel like I have to get lucky in order to see the numbers really climb.

    I guess I don't really have a question, per se. I'm still fairly new to the game, and I'm trying to soak up as much information as I can. So, keep doing what you're doing. Your advice has been very helpful.
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