Keeping pets as part of the family has become common in many parts of the world. As we take care of our kids, we give much care to our pets too. This implies that people spend a lot of money on pet care.
The demand for pet products is ever-increasing so is the competition among marketers. If you are thinking about starting a pet products business, now is the best time to do so. If you already own one, you can step-up your game by giving it an online presence.
Alright, so you’re ready to start making some cash by promoting pet products online? Let’s get straight into the practical steps you need to take to make this happen. I’ll walk you through the whole process, from picking the right products to actually making those sales.
Picking the Right Pet Products
The first thing you need to do is choose which pet products you’re going to promote. You don’t want to waste time on stuff that nobody buys or cares about. So here’s what you should do:
- Popular Products: Go for items that are always in demand. Think about things like dog food, cat litter, or flea and tick treatments. These are things pet owners need regularly, so they’re always on the lookout for good deals.
- Pet Subscription Boxes: These are a hot trend right now. Companies like BarkBox or Meowbox send out monthly boxes of toys and treats, and people love them. You can promote these subscription services and get a commission every time someone signs up through your link.
- High-Ticket Items: Consider promoting higher-priced products like pet insurance, pet strollers, or automated pet feeders. These usually have better commission rates. You can find these through affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or even directly from the brands’ websites.
Finding Affiliate Programs
Now that you know what to promote, you need to find the affiliate programs that will pay you to do it. Here’s where to start:
- Amazon Associates: This is probably the easiest way to start. Amazon has a massive selection of pet products, and you can earn a commission on anything your visitomers buys through your link. Sign up on their website, and you can start promoting products right away.
- Chewy Affiliate Program: Chewy is a big name in the pet industry. They offer everything from pet food to prescription meds. They have an affiliate program that pays out every time someone buys through your link. Just go to their website and sign up.
- ShareASale and CJ Affiliate: These platforms host a bunch of different companies’ affiliate programs. You can find pet brands here that offer commissions. Search for companies like Petco, Rover, or 1-800-PetMeds, and apply to their programs.
Setting Up a Simple Website
You don’t need to be a tech wizard to set up a site where you can promote these products. Here’s a straightforward way to get started:
- Choose a Platform: Use WordPress or Wix to set up a simple blog or website. Both have templates, so you don’t need to know any coding. You can have a site up in a day.
- Pick a Domain Name: Choose something catchy and relevant to pets. Something like “BestPetGear.com” or “PetCareHQ.com” works well. You can buy a domain name through services like GoDaddy or Namecheap.
- Start Writing Content: Focus on creating helpful articles. For example, you could write “Top 10 Best Dog Foods for Small Breeds” or “How to Choose the Best Cat Litter.” Within the articles, link to the products you’re promoting. Make sure to include your affiliate links.
Writing Content That Sells
Creating content is where the money is made. Here’s how to do it right:
- Product Reviews: Write detailed reviews about specific products. If you’re promoting a pet water fountain, write an article like “Why the PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum is the Best Water Fountain for Dogs.” Describe how it works, why it’s good, and who it’s best for. Add your affiliate link at the end.
- Comparison Articles: Create comparison posts like “Best Flea Treatments for Cats: Frontline vs. Advantage.” Talk about the pros and cons of each, and link to them using your affiliate links. People searching for product comparisons are usually ready to buy, so this is a great way to drive sales.
- Top 10 Lists: These are always popular. Write something like “Top 10 Must-Have Dog Toys for 2024.” List out the toys with a short description and include a link to where they can buy each one. These types of articles get a lot of clicks and can lead to more sales.
Using Email Marketing to Boost Sales
Email marketing is, as you probably know, another way to keep people coming back to your site and buying through your links. Here’s how to get started:
- Collect Emails: On your website, offer a free pet care guide or a discount code in exchange for email addresses. Use a service like Mailchimp or ConvertKit to manage your email list.
- Send Weekly Emails: Once you have a list, send out weekly emails with tips, new product reviews, or special deals. For example, you might send an email titled “5 Summer Essentials for Your Dog” and include affiliate links to cooling mats, water bottles, and sunscreen for dogs.
- Exclusive Deals: People love feeling like they’re getting a special deal. Send out emails with exclusive discounts or promo codes that are only available through your links. Brands often provide these to their affiliates, so keep an eye out for them.
Finding Deals and Discounts to Promote
Everybody loves a good deal, and promoting discounts can drive a lot of sales. Here’s how to find and promote them:
- Sign Up for Newsletters: Sign up for newsletters from pet brands and stores like Petco, Chewy, and PetSmart. They often send out discount codes and sales that you can share with users.
- Follow Brands: Follow pet brands on their websites and subscribe to their updates. They often announce sales, new products, or limited-time offers that you can promote.
- Holiday Sales: Major holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and even National Pet Day are prime times to promote pet products. Look out for big discounts during these periods and make sure to promote them heavily.
Credibility and Long-Term Success
Finally, if you want to make consistent money, you should try your best to appear credible to your audience. This isn’t a quick cash grab; it’s about creating a reliable source of information for pet owners.
- Be Honest: Only promote products you believe in. If something doesn’t work well, be honest about it. People appreciate transparency and will trust your recommendations more if they know you’re not just trying to make a quick buck.
- Consistency is Key: Keep your content fresh and updated. If a product changes or you find something better, update your posts. Consistent, up-to-date content keeps people coming back.
- Engage With Your Audience: Respond to comments and emails. If someone asks for advice on what product to buy, give them a thoughtful answer. This kind of interaction builds loyalty, and loyal readers are more likely to buy through your links.
Promoting pet products online is a practical way to make money, especially if you follow these steps. Choose popular and high-ticket items, find reliable affiliate programs, and create content that people find useful. Offer something valuable to pet lovers in the world, and the sales should follow.
Mami is a multi-lingual freelancer and counseling psychologist by day, digital marketer by night, based in Tokyo. She contributes motivational quote posters to CyberCash Worldwide regularly.
Author // Mami Yamashita