Hardware/software for the noob

[Adobe Gillis]

Hi everyone! This is my first post here. You guys seem really helpful and I think you could lend me a good hand here.

In an earlier topic on this thread, a poster claimed most affiliate sites are a free package. I have researched my target niche and the backend software they will provide me. So, my question is: What does a potential affiliate need for software/hardware? Here is a rundown of my rig:

Hardware:

• Dell XPS /Windows XPSP2
• 2Gig RAM
• Powerful processor
• Lacie Porsche redundancy. (200gig).

Software:

• Adobe CS2
• Microsoft Expression Studio (also have v2 Beta)
• SQL
• Java
• Visual Studio 2005
• MS Office Suite

Me:

• BA-Graphic Design
• MFA-Multimedia Digital Design
• MCIW-certified
• iNet+-certified
• working on SCJP

What exactly can I be expected to be provided with from an affiliate sponsor?
Can I use my mad design skills on your typical affiliate package? I mean to customize?

Do I need a server farm with a Linux cluster and 23 Exobytes of storage to handle traffic?

Do I have to get my own ISP account? Or, would a sponsor likely host it?

Does the sponsor company provide me with my domain name or do I need to purchase that too? (via Network solutions,etc)?

Any feedback would be great! I am still rummaging through the forums for more info on set-up issues.

[Linda Buquet]

Hi Adobe Gillis,

Welcome to 5 Star.

I suspect, based on some of the language you are using that you are looking at a business opportunity or MLM program and not a real affiliate program. Sponsor implies MLM to me. And affiliate programs don't come in a package, or give you a package. Is there a cost to join? Any fee at all? Are you selling a product or expected to recruit others?

There are lots of different ways to start in affiliate marketing, but TRADITIONALLY the most common example I can give you is you build a site on your domain. The "merchant" (not sponsor) only gives you links and banners to add to your site. You design the site and do all the marketing to get people there. They click a link or banner and buy - you get a commission.

Again there are a TON of variables, but that's the vanilla description because I have a feeling someone is trying to sell you something else disguised as an affiliate program.

You don't need any specific hardware or software configuration at all. (Like with anything, the bigger and faster the better, but there are no special requirements). You just need web design software, web design skills and marketing skills. There is free software you can use and if you don't have the skills above you can learn them. You sound very technical and those skills will help however marketing skills are much more important. You can do whiz bang design and programming but if you can't get anyone to the site you will not go very far.

Read all the stickies in the newbie forum to get a better idea about how to start. Then give us more details and ask more specific questions and we'll try to help.

[Adobe Gillis]

Hey! Thanks alot! Yeah, being a noob, I used the wrong word. I would actually be a "promoting webmaster"

Anyway, I did find lots of great deals for hosting and domain here too for a site I'm doing for a colleague. Whew! I think you guys already saved me a couple hundred from the stickies!!!!

No, this particular setup isn't MLM. UGH! In the brick-n-mortar world they are everywhere. I smell them from 500 miles away. Selling car wash tickets door-to-door isn't my idea of my "passion".

Thanks. Many questions still, but I think that's any biz.