Most of us, no matter how much we might disagree about politics, religion, or any other subject, can agree that more money is always a good thing. Luckily, technology offers a number of opportunities for us to make money. You can even make money online, from the comfort of your home.

I know that it’s possible to make money online because I do it as my side business. While owning and running web sites isn’t the only way to make money online, it’s the way I make money online. I fully own and run MapleMoney, Financial Highway, Financial Highway, and Create Hype.

Additionally, I partner on other sites. Instead of being front and centre, I partner with those who enjoy writing, and work behind the scenes to monetize sites. I’m hoping with this blog, I show others some of the ways that it’s possible to make money using the Internet.

Some of the subjects I plan to cover on this blog are the very strategies that I use in my own online business to make money. Making money online isn’t about some magic formula. It takes planning, and hard work. Some of the tools you have at your disposal when you try to make money online, and that I hope share with you, include:

• SEO: Search Engine Optimisation is an important aspect of making money online, whether you have an online store, or whether you have blog. SEO leads to searchers finding you online. Without SEO, you don’t have traffic to convert into money.
• WordPress: One of the great blogging platforms is WordPress. It’s not just about blogging, though. You can create an entire site with WordPress. I can share tips about using WordPress, and how to use various themes (my favourite is Headway Themes) and plugins to enhance your site.
• AdSense: Make money using AdSense on your site. You earn money when others click your ads. You can attract traffic that is more likely to convert into clicks with the right approach. My sites generate a large chunk of their income from AdSense.
• Affiliate Marketing: Making money as an affiliate can be rewarding, especially if you’re honestly promoting the right product or service to readers. I’ve had decent success as an affiliate, and continue to explore interesting options.
• Social Media: Social media promotion can help you raise awareness of your brand, as well as raise your profile with the search engines. However, you don’t need to focus on only the “big” social media sites. Get involved in a social media site in your niche. I own the social media site Fwisp, and I’ve seen how beneficial it can be for other sites to get links and exposure.
• Community Building: While you involve yourself in social media, don’t forget to work on building a community. Those who are most successful at making money online actually make an effort to get to know their customers or readers. While the money is a nice thing, it’s important not to get so wrapped up in it that you forget to be “real.” And, of course, you need to help others. My Money Index site is meant to connect members of a specific community, as well as provide a valuable service for others. Lately I’ve been working with the Wishlist Member plugin and will be launching a couple membership courses soon.