Launch and Reflect

This week helped me explore site builders and hosting options for my affiliate marketing website. I learned that the best choice for a beginner should focus on low cost, simple setup, and useful features without any coding. Traditional hosting services like IONOS or Bluehost offer low introductory prices and a lot of control, but they require more technical steps to get everything working. In our group discussions, classmates shared helpful ideas. Some liked DreamHost for its domain flexibility when connecting to Squarespace, while others preferred Bluehost for its strong WordPress support. Those points made me think carefully about what I really need at this stage. As a complete beginner with no coding experience, I decided on Wix. It includes hosting, a drag-and-drop editor, ready-made templates, and built-in tools for adding affiliate links, all in one place. This means no extra setup or confusion. The biggest lesson for me is to start with a platform that removes obstacles so I can...

This week, we learned about sourcing products and how to start an online business the smart way. We focused on drop shipping and affiliate marketing, and I realized that drop shipping has a lot of risks, especially with bulky items like guitars. Shipping costs can be high, items can break easily, and dealing with returns takes time and money.  These challenges are something that beginners might not be ready for. On the other hand, affiliate marketing seems much easier and safer at first. You can recommend products you like, earn commissions, and you don’t have to worry about inventory, payments, or shipping issues. The biggest lesson for me is that trust is essential. If the products I recommend are good, people will keep coming back and clicking my links. If they’re not, they'll stop trusting my site. Starting with affiliate marketing allows me to focus on creating content and understanding what my audience wants without the stress of logistics. This approach seems like the best w...

This week’s materials, especially Russell Brunson’s “Secret Magic Box” video, changed how I think about building an online business. I used to picture complicated websites with lots of pages, inventory problems, and endless work. But Brunson’s simple funnel idea showed me that success can be straightforward. You can build something powerful with just three or four focused pages that run mostly on autopilot. What stood out most was the promise of steady profit even when most visitors say no. You draw people in with free value, such as a guide or a short video, and then make money through a few smart steps: a one-time sale, a monthly subscription, and an upsell that can convert around 30 percent of buyers. You can quickly create products by interviewing an expert or sharing your own knowledge. Plus, digital delivery eliminates shipping hassles. This approach feels truly freeing. I want to start small and learn without taking big risks. I’m still figuring out my specific interests or nich...