Outsourcing Comes at a Cost!
I have had alot of emails and comment requests asking me if I was willing to build a site for readers. If so, what would I charge? So, I thought I would post this so you all have an idea of what is involved, and you can decide if its worth paying for, or simply learning how to do it yourself.
As you read this and begin to understand the cost and time involved, I hope it becomes clear what is involved on the build. As much as I prefer and TRY to help everyone learn the process themselves, there are some who simply prefer to have it done, at least once.
Outsourcing an Affiliate Niche Site Build
When you look at what you do on a site, it really doesn’t seem like alot, but it is a considerable time consuming process, especially if you aren’t equipped with the right software, or dont have the skillset yet to do it efficiently. Once you add in fixed costs associated with it – this really isnt a bad deal!
When I was asked by one reader last week, I quoted her $620, which to me, is very affordable for the service involved! She actually said – “Thats Appalling, and you should be Ashamed”… Whoa – here’s a reality check for ya!
The list below details what is involved in building a +/- 50 page WordPress driven Niche Affiliate Site, ready to launch.
- Researching the Niche Market and Advising for or Against. (Usually 1-2 hours, several emails)
- Building the site BluePrint for Launch. (RankSpanker Report, 1-2 Hours)
- Outsourcing the Content for You (+/- 40, 250 word articles) for the Site launch. (Fixed cost: $200-$250)
- Sourcing and Editing all the images for the Product / Item reviews. (4-6 Hours)
- Installing the WordPress Backend on your Host Account (-1 Hour)
- Install and Configure the Plugins in WordPress (1-2 Hours)
- Configure your Chosen platform to display eBay Auctions (phpBay, or other WordPress plugin)
- Create all Static Pages on the site: About, Contact, Privacy, Favorite places” (2-3 Hours)
- Create Guide Index Pages (Built Into theme)
- Create Reviews / Articles Index Page (Built Into theme)
- Create all Guides and Guide Images. (2-3 Hours)
- Create all Reviews / Product Articles, Include Product Images. (4-6 Hours)
- Install Customized Arthemia Theme with Your Own Logo, and finally… (30 Minutes)
- Launch Site! (Fixed Cost: $30)
14 Individual steps… that sound easy enough right? But when you consider I quoted $620 and she was actually OFFENDED, I decided to put this post for everyone to see… and it also gives me a place to simply refer people to now. 
Why The Heck Does it Cost So Much?
Lets truly break down that $620 cost…
- Fixed Costs – $230-$280 on Content and Launch Package.
- Labor – 17-25 Hours of My Time
- Additional Labor – 2-4 Hours of email support, which you WILL need and I am KNOWN for giving.
So, when you take out the fixed costs of roughly $250, that leaves $370 for the labor side of it, which is going to consume 19-25 hours of my time!
How Soon Will You Earn It Back?
Since this is usually the NEXT question I hear… I will tell you what I tell everyone else. There ARE no Guarantees you will earn a penny! All I can do is provide a SOLID platform to get your site off the ground, where it goes from there is in your hands!As long as you follow the N1Way Guide and continue to work on the forward and backward marketing, you should succeed… but if you just look at stats for 6 months, you won’t get much from it.
Its like a car – you can have a custom hot rod built for you, but it will never go ANYWHERE if you don’t actually get in, turn the key and drive it! This is NO different than one of my own sites and if I don’t continually monitor, mold and make timely changes to my own, they won’t earn anything either!
If ANY of the site owners I have built sites for care to post their comments as to its value to YOU, feel free to do so.
RankSpankers is Coming to Life!
On another subject – I have decided to package quite a bit of my knowledge into a Members ONLY website aptly named, RankSpankers! At this point, the site will launch with 2 main modules in place, and 5 more on the table for monthly posting.
It is NOT a monthly fee service, I am monthly-fee’d out myself and get turned off by paying a monthly fee for anything nowadays! But as of yet… I truly haven’t decided how it will be put together.
My plan is to get the beta out of the way over the next 2 weeks and I have a small group that are going to help me finalize the first two modules:
- Niche Site BluePrint Builder – 6 Training Sections – 16 Video Screencasts!
- Niche Site Structure Optimization – 5 Training Section – 12 Video Screencasts!
Along with these two completed training modules – there are several individual modules already in place, like “How to Get the Best Domain Names”, etc. The site will also feature a Members Only forum, where we can share “one on one”, or “one to all” strategies, without fear and worry of pissing off Google Gods, or other marketing Guru’s.
There is ALOT going on in the RankSpankers backend right now – which I will share with you all as the month progresses… but one thing I will assure everyone, its NOT the “Same Old Crap” regurgitated in a different way!
$620 for a site like the golf putter guide site? Sounds about right to me! Just look around flippa.com….
$620 is a very reasonable price. Just think about the copy alone. Creating fresh and original content takes your time and effort, or your money if you pay someone else to do it.
I spent $400 on content alone for my first site, but it’s working in as much as it’s receiving organic traffic from Google by virtue of the fact that it’s copy about a niche that people are searching for and they are now occasionally buying. It’ll be while yet before the site has paid for itself but it’s only been a month since launch.
I agree with you and the commenters, 650 is a great price!
I guess people don’t want to pay for quality!
With all that I have learned from marketing and web design, this price would be a great starting point. I have seen many other places that sell this service that is not as indepth and detailed for more. Plus having great research already done and done well by someone who knows their stuff and is not out to get over on another marketer is awesome.
The price may seem high, but the research that is done as well as the design is not easy for most of us. This would take out alot of variables out that most of us question in our own designs.
Mark, do not be surprised if you get some work from actually posting a Price for this service.
In my neck of the woods, just a simple business website with around 5 or 6 pages will cost you $500 minimum. When you consider all the research and unique content that goes into a niche site, it’s obvious the price should reflect that. I bet if she were building the site for somebody else, she would charge that much or more.
I’m excited to hear about your new site Mark. If it’s like your others, the information will be golden.
I agree with all above. Time *is* money!! $620 is an absolute steal in my opinion if you really understand what is involved. As a newbie with a full time job, I barely have time to work on my own project let alone build a niche for someone else.
Mark, we appreciate your time and help you continue to give freely.
Looking forward to the beta RankSpankers training & videos.
- Musqui
Mark has built a site for me and It’s money well spent. It would take me a few weeks to create something like Mark has created, the quality, niche and overall site is first class and very professional.
$620 is a very good investment and highly recommended if you haven’t got the time or new to this business.
Thanks Mark, fantastic job!
Yep!
I think Marks prices are spot on for what he does and I’ll be investing in his services as soon as I can.
I’ve an idea about a niche site which looks to be a winner and with Marks help at a penny a week I can’t go wrong;-)
All the best Mark
Regards
Trevor
only joking! you’re definitely worth tuppence a week;-)
Awesome post Mark. Appreciate the no nonsense approach you provide. Can’t wait see the Member’s Only” stuff. Count me in!
“There is ALOT going on in the RankSpankers backend right now”
+
““Same Old Crap” ”
Unfortunate juxtaposition Mark! LOL
But really can’t you just give away 15 years of experience and your wealth of knowledge for free? and can I live in your house and drive your car as well?
BTW hows the smoking going? still a quitter?
I am typing with one hand and it sucks. Burned my left hand on a hot pan, next time I’ll wear 2 mitts instead of one. Had alot on my mind as I made dinner and grabbed the pan without a mitt. ouch. Now i’m appreciating both hands.
I’d love to join the site or forum. Paid or not, I’m looking for people or a person I can intrust on how to be a better affiliate marketer. Kick around some ideas and get past the hoopla. QCP is going to kick my ass since I do alot of ppc, just wont work as well. Would also like to network. Knowledge is king.
As far as developing a site and making money at it, it doesnt happen overnight. Another reason people fail, no patience and commitment to further develop what u have. Looks like 3-4 days work, takes a long time to get that proficient, good deal for $600, considering what u get.
Hi Mark,
Obviously, the outraged woman had never attempted to create one of these types of sites herself or she would have known just how much time and effort is involved. Either that, or she isn’t treating this as a serious business, and seeing her outlay as an investment that COULD pay off handsomely down the road. She is obviously only thinking short-term. I would point her to the N1WAY GUIDE and say “Have at it!”
Your Rankspanker site sounds wonderful – will it also include a terapeak keyword research module?
Caro
@ All – Thanks for the confidence on this – I have another post planned for the next day or two that covers HOW to build a QUALITY site in the least amount of time investment as possible… its all just a methodical process!
@Dave – LOL – I didnt even look at it like that! You have my same twisted sense of humor for sure!!
@Caroline – Actually, the very first section that is being tested now, is HOW, “Exactly”, to use TeraPeak to build your site blueprint for the quickest and best possible results.
It IS the main part of the Niche Site RankSpanker Blueprint.
Mark
Yeah, I think $620 was a very fair price. If anything, it may have been a little on the cheap side, considering all the time you put into it. I know many web developers who will (successfully!) charge $500 for a very basic setup which doesn’t include half of what you mentioned.
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Niche Guide Topics
Time & Money Spent Developing Site
- 1.5 Hrs - Initial Research
- 3 Hrs - Site Development Planning
- 4.5 Hrs - Draft Review Pages to Admin
- 2.5 Hrs - Template & Code Customization
- 4 Hrs - Finalized 24 Product Review Pages and added 11 category summary pages
- Added a home page, and Launch site!
- 3.5 Hours: Added 2 more Guides + 10 more reviews
Money Spent to Date: $186.00Niche Guide Tags
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