How to Monetize a Niche Site

In the past, I’ve primarily focused on Google Adsense for my own niche sites. I did try out a few Adsense alternatives, but I came back to Adsense because its the highest paying contextual ad network out there…by far.  Its easy to implement, pays the most, and just works.

However, as I set out to start my very first public niche site project, I have decided to use something besides Google Adsense to monetize my site.  (You can learn more about the niche site project and live webinar to be held here).

I’m not going to pick a particular monetization strategy until I pick a niche and keyword.  Right now, I’m thinking that I would like to build an email list and monetize that list with affiliate offers or my own products.  However, this is not set in stone, and could change as I pick my niche OR as I test different strategies on the same site.

However, as I contemplate how I should make money from my new niche site, I am again reminded of how many options are out there.  First, I’m going to list the general ways to monetize (categories like CPA, contextual ads, etc) and then I’ll number off the specific networks or options within each of those general categories.

1. Pay Per Click Contextual Ad Networks
2. CPM Advertising Networks
3. CPA (Cost Per Action) Networks
4. Affiliate Networks
5. Direct Affiliate Programs
6. Sell Ad Space Directly
7. Create Your Own Product
8. Sell Text Links
9. Donations
10. Sell Your Site

Overview and Your Thoughts

To be honest, I probably missed several other ways that you can monetize your site, but this is a good start!  And most certainly there are thousands of other ad networks or affiliate programs out there that you can use.  But for the most part all your options for monetization are going to fit in these main categories covered: Pay Per Click Networks, CPM Ad Networks, CPA Networks, Affiliate Networks, Direct Affiliate Programs, Selling Ad Space, Creating a Product, Sell Text Links, Donations, or selling your site.

Overall, as I begin the process on Thursday evening on the live webinar, I’ll be thinking these different ways to monetize my site.  I’ve excluded Adsense as a choice, but I have at least 52 other ways I could make money from my niche site.

I would love to hear your thoughts!  Did I miss any major money making networks or methods?  Let’s discuss below.