LESSON #39: Outsourcing Your Website

By | May 1, 2009

Over the past several lessons we’ve talked about how to create a website. But what if you don’t want to build your own website? Maybe it’s not fun for you, or maybe it’s just not worth the investment of your time.

In that case, you should outsource it. Since this is the first time in this lesson series that we’ve talked about outsourcing, we’ll also be covering some of the basics of outsourcing…

(Watch this video…

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Main points:

  • Outsourcing is subcontracting a job or a task… or a collection of jobs or tasks… to a third party.

  • For example a company might outsource their manufacturing process, or their entire customer service department. I recently outsourced much of my web traffic generation tasks. Learn how to outsource everything

  • Outsourcing vs. Out-tasking: “Out-tasking” is when you hire someone for a particular task or one time project, versus outsourcing on an ongoing basis. However, I use the term outsourcing as a catch-all.

  • Outsourcing vs. Doing everything yourself: If your goal is to build a long-term sustainable business that runs without you, then you’ll need to hire some employees and/or outsource.

    Recommended reading:
    E-myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber
    Top Grading, by Bradford Smart (If you plan on HIRING)
    Cashflow Quadrant, Robert Kiyosaki (see also lesson #6)

  • Outsourcing vs. Hiring Employees: Many online business owners may find outsourcing to be a more economical choice to achieve many of the tasks and processes that I’m teaching.

    Benefits:
    1) Cost savings vs. hiring employees
    2) Simplification vs. hiring employees

  • You can outsource almost EVERYTHING.

  • Places to outsource your website:

    1) Use someone locally.

    -Phonebook
    -Classified ads
    -Craigslist (beware of scammers)
    -son/daughter/relative… local college kid, etc.

    2) Use an outsourced specialty service (ie. Web Design company)

    -have a budget.
    -know exactly what you want.
    -decide if you want to work with someone overseas, or in certain countries.
    -look at their portfolio.
    -look at reviews and get a referral.
    – http://www.outsourcing.org

    3) Use an outsource/freelancer website

    Rent-a-coder
    Odesk
    Elance.com
    Guru.com
    Scriptlance.com

    (See video for walk-through of posting a project)

    -Idea: make a screen capture video!

    Action steps:

    1) Decide if you want to outsource your website

    2) If yes, choose a provider and make it happen!

    3) Start thinking about what you can outsource, and develop an outsourcing mindset.

    Special Offer:

    Today I’m offering an ebook which explains how to outsource for your Internet-based business. It is a brand new exclusive ebook created for Eric’s Tips.

    Outsourcing for Internet Marketers“.

    Outsourcing for Internet Marketers

    Click here to get more details and download this ebook

    (Resale Rights also available)

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below. Feel free to let us know your outsourcing successes, or recommended freelancer sites.

    Have a great day!

  • 110 thoughts on “LESSON #39: Outsourcing Your Website

    1. Gary Pettit

      Hey Eric,

      I’ve tried to keep outsourcing to a minimum just so I can get more out of the learning process as a newbie. However,the times that I’ve used Guru I’ve been very pleased with the quality of work and low prices on bids. It’s nice to have more than one person to choose from when a job is posted. With so many great options available,my advice would be to stay away from Craigslist.

      PS: Your Ebook look great and I look forward to giving it a read. Also, after reading your survey results for Twitter,I’ve decided it wasn’t for me!
      😉
      Learn how to put your website traffic on complete automation by grabbing this FREE Membership. Includes professional content,audios,downloads & reccomendations plus much more!All Free!
      http://www.InstantTrafficPaysites.com

      Reply
    2. RonnieMarz

      Thank you for that lesson! It was very interesting and filled with good information that I can use.
      Thanks
      Ron

      Reply
    3. Anonymous

      Outsourcing is one of the most important ingredients for a successful online business– especially if you want your business to give you more freedom!

      Reply
    4. Howard "OutSourcerer" Tiano

      Excellent video on outsourcing, Eric!

      Especially like your emphasis on project description. How well this is done really determines how smoothly the project will run. The more detailed the better!

      Another important area is selecting the outsourcer. There are several things to consider, like skill level, time zone, communication style, feedback/ratings, etc.

      I am currently doing a real time video series as I outsource a simple web design project on rentacoder.

      Sort of an outsourcing “reality show” (I know you have a “little” experience with that!)

      Anyone interested can sign up at:
      http://OutsourceOuttakes.com to get my episodes which will probably only last for a week or so.

      Thanks for the great content once again, Eric.

      Howard “OutSourcerer” Tiano

      Reply
    5. Eric Post author

      I think it’s great to learn and do as much as you can as a newbie. That’s how I built my business. Just don’t get too attached to doing everything yourself 🙂

      Reply
    6. Eric Post author

      Coming from you (the outsource expert) that’s a huge compliment 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Deniz

      long term sustainable business is the catch frase for me! Great lesson! thank you!

      Reply
    8. Deniz

      and if you are curious about Guatemala as an outsourcing country … follow me @outsource2Guate

      Reply
    9. Pet Supplies Online

      This will definitely be one of the videos that I put an asterisk next to. I’ve built a couple of sites, and plan to do many more niche sites. But there’s no doubt that someone else could do it much faster and better than I can.

      Do you find that most website builders are also good copywriters, or do you have to get copy from one source and have someone else build the site?

      Reply
    10. dawn

      Well I have been trying to do everything myself so far. can not afford to do anything but that right now. I have me site up and running and I am still working on it. It has a long way before it is done but it is getting there. Are you going to have a lesson on opt in pages or something like that. I just need to start getting a little more traffic. I am getting some but not a whole lot. Thank you for your lessons I would never have thought that I would have my own website. thanks

      Reply
    11. Eric Post author

      Thanks, I think I actually mentioned that one in the ebook, good call.

      Reply
    12. Eric Post author

      Some people are good at both, but generally you would be best served to get it from two different people. Among those two areas of expertise, I would say there is an abundance of good web designers, but only a few good copywriters.

      Reply
    13. Registration

      Have to say I am a massive fan of rentacoder and have discovered someone I use continually but had to have several failures along the way.

      Rich

      Reply
    14. Ed

      Eric,

      Thought you might want to know. I went to your new website:

      trafficsages.com

      and the links at the bottom, except for the “Process Map” link are all broken and lead to your 404 error code page.

      Not meaning to sound negative, but if it were me, I would sure appreciate someone letting me know about a problem like this.

      A Serious Prospect
      Ed

      Reply
    15. Abraham

      Hi Eric.

      As always..Wonderful job..

      Thanks for these lessons. I’ve built my first site only from your lessons.

      Some more info on WordPress would be most welcome. Like how to make it so other people can write their own ( articles, blogs, posts ) on my website ( multi user type author, not admin).

      Unfortunately I’m a newbie and cannot afford outsourcing, so I have to make do with my own limited resources and knowledge.

      Your help is most welcome at this stage in my live.

      I hope you don’t mind me referring people to your lessons.

      Abraham

      Reply
    16. Craig

      Eric, your lessons are GREAT!

      I hope you will do a lesson regarding
      Cost Per Action Marketing. (CPA Marketing)

      Reply
    17. Jack

      Hello Eric,

      I started the series late, and was somewhat alarmed when I caught up to you.

      It’s great to see you’re back from the short hiatus (no doubt while you shifted focus to other projects).

      Hopefully, my first venture in publishing a website will occur this week. All of your information has been great, with so much of it being totally beyond anything I would have thought of myself.

      Thank you!

      Reply
    18. Innocent

      Thanks Eric for another great lesson. I really agree with you about embracing outsourcing. It’s really been difficult for me finding the time to do what I know I can, and should do to take my sites to greater success.

      Though I don’t have much budget to outsource some of my work, I will try the sites you recommended for cheaper fees.

      Reply
    19. Fiona Johnston

      I am not sure to be honest that this is for me. I am sorry about this but on reading the informatiokn and also trying to listen, there is an awful lot to take on board.

      Reply
    20. Abraham

      Hi Fiona.

      I hope I’m not out of place here, but, I started watching Eric’s tips only recently, from video 1 up till 39.

      Yes it is a lot to take in at once, but if you do it step by step as Eric is teaching us, it should not be a problem. I do think Eric’s tips is well thought out and does not give an overload of information all at once, Eric allows you to take all in and even take notes and came back to the videos later if there’s something that you are struggling with.

      Please go on listening to him and take it slow, You will not regret it.

      Reply
    21. peter rumsavich

      eric thank you for the video series it was very informative and helpful for someone like myself with limited computer skills. I would like to make sure that I use all of your recomended products so as to pay you for helping me, Please forward a link so I can order through you thanks Peter

      Reply
    22. Jas B Basnet

      Mr. Eric,

      Your lessons are great in the electronic world. Keep up teaching free worlwide.
      Thanking you

      Reply
    23. Jas B Basnet

      Your lessons are great in the electronic world. Keep up teaching free worldwide.
      Thanking you

      Reply
    24. Dana

      Hi there Eric. As always I like a lot of what you have had to say here but I wanted to add a caveat here. If you are going to use a high school student or college student, watch what they do very carefully. Many of them use only tables for their designs. Google and other search engines are preparing to start slapping websites that use tables for design. Make sure to question them and anyone that you want to do work for you that they really know what it is you are doing and the best way to get it done.

      Reply
    25. susan

      Eric,

      I stopped getting tips after lesson #38. What happened?

      Reply
    26. Eric Post author

      I am still working on the next lesson, it will be done soon 🙂

      Reply
    27. Pingback: Traffic Sage Outsourced Web Traffic and SEO Review | Eric’s Tips

    28. Dez Futak

      Great content (as always!!) Eric.

      I’ve read the 4 Hour Work Week & E-Myth Revisited in recent months. My plan is to do some of the donkey work myself for now, and when I hit around $500 play money, I can start investing in some outsourcing. I could do it now, but I’m trying to make sure I operate my business as much as I can on a Pay-as-you-go basis, so that I have minimum ‘leakage’.

      It’s great that you’ve arranged the deal with Traffic Sage – they look like a very well-oiled & efficient operation, and I know they must make a massive difference to your own effectiveness.

      Cheers,

      Dez.

      Reply
    29. Brent

      Eric,
      Always good information for those of us that want
      to learn more about the online world. Other than
      outsourcing at this time,can you tell me the best way to help me promote my daughter’s site,
      help educate others about the adoption process,
      obtain inbound links and traffic, and possibly
      assist in raising donations for such a great project as you have in the past. Her site is
      http://www.raleighandbridgette.blogspot.com/

      Appreciate yours and other subscriber comments.

      Thanks

      Reply
    30. Chris

      Hi Eric,

      You Rock Man! Thank you for all of the informative lessons.

      Do you offer an affiliate program for your products? If so where do I sign up?

      Keep up all of the excellent work!

      Thanks
      Chris

      Reply
    31. Aron

      Eric,
      Thank you for all the information.I have been following since lesson #1.I have never left comments,however when it comes to outsourcing I have to say until you are established and actually making money it can be a substantial “out of pocket” expense.I suggest waiting and test,test test until you actually have conversions for the expense.When you reach this a goal of conversions you set and know you have a good site and or pitch page then you are ready to start the outsourcing.What do you think???

      Reply
    32. Eric Post author

      Thanks Chris. I do have have affiliate programs for some of my products. If you look at them here you will see some of them are on ClickBank, and there’s one or two on PayDotCom:

      Products

      Reply
    33. Eric Post author

      If you’re talking about outsourcing traffic generation, I would agree. It’s not worth paying someone to get traffic for your site unless you’ve proven that your site will convert those visitors into revenue.

      As far as outsourcing in general… it depends on the goals and vision for your business. If you want to have ultimate freedom and have other people running your business for you, you should begin outsourcing as early as possible.

      Reply
    34. moralde

      This one is something I’ll keep in mind when my site is established and earning the kind of money I desire.

      For now, I won’t mind getting my own hands dirty. It’s fun so far, anyway.

      Reply
    35. Alaa

      I wolud like to make some one to write 50 articles (from 500 to 700 words each articles)
      So what is the minimum fee for one article if I out source it in Rent-a-coder

      2- How can I be sure that they are original even if i mintion it in my request?

      2- Can I ask to see 4 of 5 of them to be sure of the quality??

      Thanks

      Reply
    36. Eric Post author

      I normally pay about $5/article. Of course you can pay more or less. I’ve seen them as cheap as about $2-3 on Rentacoder, but you definitely might be sacrificing quality at such a low price.

      you can check the articles with Copyscape.com (I use the premium version).

      Yes you can (and should) certainly ask to see some samples.

      Reply
    37. Anne

      HELP: I just not getting anywhere. I have been trying for so long now to promote a product on Clickbank within in my niche. But every time I click on crete hoplink, put in my nickname and click create button the affiliate link that comes up looks like double dutch instead eg: http://MYID.chickencoop.hop.clickbank.net
      What am I doing wrong and how can I put it right. Anne. Plese let me know.

      Reply
    38. Eric Post author

      I’m not sure if I understand the problem. That is what the hoplinks look like.

      Reply
    39. Micah

      Hello Anne,

      You can actually work around the create hoplink button, to ensure that your affiliate link is correctly created.

      You simply replace the part of the link that says “MYID” with your ClickBank username to ensure that sales will be attributed to you.

      You can also clear your cookies, and test the new affiliate link. When you reach the order page, your affiliate ID should appear at the bottom of the form.

      Reply
    40. Alice

      Clickbank has started encrypting their hoplinks to protect their affiliates from having their code hijacked by other affiliates who will replace your code for theirs.

      Don’t worry, you will still get credit for the sale, if someone clicks on it. I think this is explained on the page you go to to get the link.

      Reply
    41. Larry Tosten

      Clickbank recently changed to an encoded hoplink. When you create your hoplink, copy and paste it into your browser and then act like you’re buying the product. You should see your affiliate ID at the bottom of the checkout page. If you do then all is well and you’ll get credit using that link

      Reply

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