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Joomla affiliate site - How to build it.
A great joomla affiliate site example.
In January I picked up a nice domain name that didn't get renewed and wasn't picked up by the army of aftermarket domainers that normally snap them up within seconds of the name becoming available again. Result!
I'd searched for the name last year and noted that it had gone into suspended status. Once this happens I put it into my spreadsheet of potential names and forget about it until I check the spreadsheet again periodically.
Most of these types of names get snapped immediately by the domain aftermarket but this time I got lucky and no one was interested in this name so I managed to register it the day after it had dropped and I immediately set to work building a new site on it.
Pretty much as soon as I started I noticed that some of my local joomla files were outdated or had been superceded by later versions. This was found out when I got the shell installed and wanted to do some work late one night on the PC at home. Often I'll get inspiration to start working on something and it's usually very productive to just get on and do it rather than waiting till the morning.
As soon as I downloaded the new wysiwig editor to replace the standard joomla editor I noticed that the newly downloaded version was several versions ahead of the one I had stored on my office PC. Looks like I have been using stored versions of joomla extensions and this has led to using some stuff that has been well out of date.
When I came back into the office I deleted the whole joomla directory of downloaded extensions and started from scratch so that all of the modules I used were the very latest.
So here's a guide to how I built the play online slots site and all of the extensions and modules I used to make it happen.
First of all make sure you have the latest version of Joomla and that your web host is supporting PHP 5+ as many of the latest extensions - certainly the coolest ones, will not run on PHP 4 . JReviews is now only supported on PHP 5 and JCAL also so it's worth making sure that you have the supported version before you start out.
If you are not sure what you have - ask your host! Don't go blindly ahead starting to install everything because what will happen is you install an extension or module and after you've loaded it up you are faced with a blank page - a dead joomla site, because what you installed won't run. I've got an old server running some joomla sites from 2004 and a couple of times I've made the mistake of trying to build a quick site only to find that because it's still running PHP4 the link directory won't work or something else is a problem and subsequently have to move it all to a new hosting plan.
I wrote an article here about how to install joomla so you can reference that if you are just starting out although if you are a complete beginner at this try and get a hosting plan that supports fantastico which will do a one click install for you.
To do my sites I always start off using a template rocketlauncher from rockettheme. These are great templates for joomla and they've been going a while now so your subscription get's better value for money as each month goes by.
Not only do you get the template but also they give you a sample data set to work with which you can choose to automatically install during the installation routine. This gives you a layout jump start and pre populates sections and categories. It also gives you a good idea of what you can achieve with the layout.
Once you have chosen your template and got it installed you can simply start renaming sections and categories and start deleting any redundant articles. Once you've done that you are good to go and this is when you start to add in the extra components and modules you need to beef up the basic joomla package.
Here are my "added extras" for your joomla site. All of these add on's are non commercial - or at least in some cases like the link directory the basic package is GNU GPL.
Rather than add the downloads into my own download directory I've linked you to the joomla extensions page so that if you read this in a years time you'll be able to get the up to date version straight away.
1. FCK Editor.
You can get by with the standard joomla editor but this one is a massive improvement over the standard issue. FCK editor allows you to select content to link to using explorer type efficiency and has improved support for embedding images in your articles.
2. HTML Module.
Standard joomla modules like the "custom HTML" module don't allow you to embed javascript or iframes within the module so you are pretty stuck when it comes to placing affiliate banners and scripts that use this technology. This is done to stop hackers trying to use scripts to destroy your site. Luckily this "any code" HTML module solves all your problems and let's you do your affiliate marketing stuff.
3. JVlinx
You won't get anywhere near the top of the search engines without some link juice and this is the best module for exchanging links. If your budget will stretch to it it's well worth buying the professional version which is the one used on this site.
You need to make your site look active and current so what better than a scrolling newsticker? This version has umpteen ways of configuring a fade and making it look interesting.
5. DF Contact
The standard joomla contact form is pants. This one is multi configurable and has the added benefit of being captcha protected so you don't get spammed all day long. Use in conjunction with:
This baby uses the libraries in your linux installation to provide the images needed for captcha support. Works with the contact form above and:
Get your visitors to promote your site for you! Captcha protected.
The joomla latest articles module looks terrible. This is vastly improved and configurable date display options present your content much more professionally.
9. GK News Pro
Use this module to configure your front page news with images instead of using the standard joomla frontpage module.
10. XMAP
Add a joomla sitemap to your installation. Enough said.
Too many idiots have devised robots that can automatically register to your joomla site and start spamming you. Defeat them with this captcha protected sign up routine (uses security images above).
12. Joomlapack.
Backup and restore your joomla database, files or both. Restore to a different server. Useful for cloning a site.
That's all of the essential files I suggest you use to take your site to the next level.
Remember to keep your joomla installation up to date with the latest patch files and keep your components updated as well, slightly embarrassed smile there - but hey, you wouldn't have had this article otherwise!
Go build a site!