Universal Online e-Guide

The Rise and Fall of Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs were once a great source of online revenue, a savvy webmaster with an eye for marketing could easily parley a site into a money making machine with a little luck and effort. However, the evolution and growth of the Internet has hampered the growth of fortune making affiliate programs. Constant search engine algorithm changes, along with the search engine's clear distaste for sites participating in affiliate programs; have made it a little more difficult to earn a healthy affiliate revenue. An influx in the use of software programs that terminate cookie tracking and privacy programs that prevent webmasters from tracking referrers, have also hindered the affiliate sales channel. While it is still possible to make money through affiliate marketing, other alternatives ought to be considered.

A Healthy Alternative
Google's Adsense program allows approved websites to dynamically serve Google's pay-per-click Adword results. This has become a popular alternative and an effective revenue sharing program for webmasters. Google's spider parses the adserving website and serves ads that relate to the website's content. While the Google's Adsense program still has some issues, they are making efforts to improve it.

The website maintenance related to Adsense is very easy and requires very little effort. Webmasters need only to insert javascript into the webpage or website template. The javascript calls the ad from Google and will ensure that ads are served each time a visitor goes to the webpage. If the visitor clicks one of the Adsense ads served to the website, the website owner is credited for the referral.

The implementation, while simple, has its drawbacks. Google dictates the format of the ads. Webmasters can select from a handful of preformatted text boxes that lack creativity. A recent improvement allows webmasters to modify the ad boxes to resemble the website's color scheme. Still, a far cry from some of the creative ads webmasters are accustom to.

The example below reflects how the color scheme can be modified to match the look of the website, but the ads physically don't fit well into the overall website design. Sample modified to match sites color scheme: http://www.hospital-software.com (scroll to the bottom)

Google determines the content of the ads that are shown/ Sometimes the ads are poorly targeted, and of no interest to the website visitors. Sample of poorly targeted ads:http://www.real-estate-supply.com

Adwords can be a great addition to a website, and when well matched to the content the revenue stream from Google is consistent and effortless.

Sample of effective Adsense program:http://www.police-supplies.com (scroll to the bottom) http://www.small-business-software.net (scroll to the bottom)

Not that the Google Adsense program is not without its problems. They simply show the number of ads served, the percentage of clicks received, and the revenue earned each day. Google does not disclose the amount of the revenue they share, what percentage of the revenue they earn and what someone can expect to receive for each click. Webmasters with multiple sites will have difficulty determining which websites are producing the money in the Adsense program.

With affiliate programs many webmasters implement a new browser launch with each click off the site, Adsense removes the visitor from the website and there is not currently an option to launch the visitor into another browser. Early on Google implemented a filtering system that allowed webmasters to prevent a specific domain's ads from being served on the website. Ad blocking meant that webmasters could prevent their competitors ads from being dynamically served on their website.

Overall, adwords are great supplements to websites where affiliate programs are either not performing or when affiliate programs don't exist that target the sites content.

Give it a Try
Implementing and maintaing Google Adsense program on a content site requires very little effort and can often bring a steady stream of additional revenue for webmasters. Consider supplementing content and see what happens.

Why Is The Iraqi Dinar A Potential Investment?

Before I answer that question let’s discuss some of the background information pertaining to the new Iraqi Dinar. On October 15th, 2003 Iraq changed from their old currency with Saddam Hussein on the bills to the new currency presently being used in Iraq today. Initially, the only people investing in Iraqi Dinar were those in the know such as military and governmental officials and possibly a few savvy investors. Word spread quickly about the huge potential upside to an investment in Iraqi Dinar and it soon gained widespread attention that resulted in more and more people making the investment in Dinar.

In a nutshell, here is why. Before Saddam came to power the Iraqi Dinar was worth $3.30 (USD). Prior to the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom the Dinar was worth $0.31 (USD). Today you can buy the new Iraqi Dinar for less than $.001 or 1/10 of a penny (USD).Consider the possible return if an individual were to invest $10,000 at the current rate. $10,000 at .001 would get you 10,000,000 (million) Dinars. Now, if the Dinar goes up to just 10 cents on the dollar, that same 10,000,000 Dinar would then be worth $1,000,000. Yes, one million dollars.

Here is what an investment in just 1 million Dinars would look like at various exchange rates:

Potential Value of 1 Million Dinars

Exchange Rate USD/Dinar Total Value in USD

0.01 / $10,000

0.10 / $100,000

0.50 / $500,000

1.00 / $1,000,000

2.00 / $2,000,000

An historical and geographical comparison: Kuwait

Prior to Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990 one Kuwaiti Dinar was worth $2.79 U.S. Dollars (USD). After Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait the Kuwaiti Dinar plummeted to a value of $.10 on the Dollar. When the U.S. led coalition removed Saddam the Kuwaiti Dinar could be purchased for pennies on the Dollar. Today one Kuwaiti Dinar is worth $3.42 U.S. Dollars (USD).Keep in mind that Kuwait is the third largest oil producing country in the world…Iraq is second.

Shortly after the US removed Iraq from Kuwait the Kuwaiti Dinar rebounded and the investors who took the risk of investing in the Kuwaiti Dinar made an incredible return on their investment. Those who invested a sizeable amount of money became millionaires virtually overnight.

The historical and geographical scenarios playing out in Iraq today:As mentioned previously, Iraq actually has a larger oil reserve than Kuwait. It is the second largest oil producing country in the world or was prior to the First Gulf War. Iraq has the 2nd largest oil reserve in the world. Saudi Arabia has the first largest oil reserve in the world and Kuwait the third. Before Saddam came to power the Iraqi Dinar was worth $3.30 (USD).After Saddam lost the war with Iran, the war with Kuwait and after the country was impacted by more than a decade of UN Sanctions the Iraqi Dinar was down to its lowest exchange rate ever.Prior to the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, after two wars and over 10 years of U.N. Sanctions, the official international exchange rate for the Iraqi Dinar was $0.31 (USD).

Today you can pick up 1 million Iraqi Dinars from a reputable dealer in the States who has been registered with the U.S. Department of Treasury for under $1000 or $.001 (USD). That’s 1/10 of 1 U.S. penny…or less.The situation in Iraq is a bit different. After we removed Iraq from Kuwait, the Kuwaiti’s were essentially able to go back to business as usual. No rebuilding process was required. Nor was it necessary to change their currency, their constitution and ultimately their entire government. The return on an investment in Kuwait following the First Gulf War happened quickly. The situation in Iraq may require more time but investors are speculating that the end result will be the same.

Oil and the China/India Factor

Below is an article from Business Week that details why the world’s oil supply is being taxed and what that may mean for the price of oil and Iraq.

China and India: A Rage for Oil

With their growing economies thirsty for fuel, the two rising powers aretussling with each other over energy resources all over the world. American attention has lately been focused on China's emergence as a competitor for dwindling oil supplies -- witness the uproar over CNOOC's failed bid for California's Unocal. But a different, yet equally intense, energy rivalry sure to have a dramatic effect on geopolitics has been playing out on the far side of the globe.Asia's other emerging powerhouse, India, is just as hungry for supplies as China. The two are battling each other in oil patches from Sudan to Siberia as they try to secure the resources to fuel their growing economies. So far, the Chinese have the upper hand in the competition.

SOARING CONSUMPTION

The latest skirmish came on Aug. 22, when the boardof PetroKazakhstan, a Canadian-owned company with oil fields in Central Asia, accepted a $4.2 billion takeover bid by state-owned China National Petroleum Corp. CNPC beat a $3.6 billion offer from India's own state-owned giant, Oil & Natural Gas Corp.ONGC has said it may make a counteroffer, but the competition has already pushed the price into the stratosphere. CNPC's bid was a 21.1% premium on the price of PetroKazakhstan's shares. And it values the company's proven reserves at $10.26 per barrel -- 20% more than the market valuation of CNPC's own re-serves, according to United Financial Group, a Moscow investment bank.Both of Asia's rising powers desperately need energy. China today imports roughly half its oil. Consumption rose by 15% last year and is forecast to jump by an additional 9% this year. By 2025, China will burn through 14.2 million barrels a day, double this year's level, the U.S. Energy Dept. predicts. India's oil imports are expected to rise to some 5 million barrels a day by 2020, from around 1.4 mil-lion barrels at present.

THE UPPER HAND

The Chinese are gaining ground in Russia. Last December both New Delhi and Beijing negotiated with Moscow as it sought financing for its $9 billion renationalization of Yuganskneftegaz, the core production subsidiary of the troubled oil major Yukos. Although neither Asian rival walked away with equity in the Russian company, the Chinese ended up lending the Russians $6 billion in return for guaranteed oil supplies at a bargain price.And in Angola last year, China Petrochemical Corp. (better known as SINOPEC) beat ONGC in bidding for an oil exploration block being sold by Shell Oil. That's largely because China has greater financial muscle. In the past five years, CNPC has invested $45 billion in new energy sources, compared with ONGC's $3.5 billion.Another problem, some grumble, is India's democratic -- and there-fore slow -- political system, which may make it harder for ONGC to jump at in-vestment opportunities abroad. "Whenever we've seen the Indians and Chinese tussle, the Chinese have been faster and more aggressive in attaining their ob-jective," says Stephen O'Sullivan, head of research at United Financial Group.But don't count India out yet. The country's hopes of international expansion are being kindled by Delhi's energetic Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar. And despite China's deal with Russia after the competition for Yu-ganskneftegaz, India holds some strong cards with regard to Russia, which is rapidly emerging as a key source for Asia's energy needs.

SUPPORTING AUTHORITARIAN LEADERS

Moscow has a friendship with Delhi that dates to the Cold War -- while the Kremlin has long viewed Beijing with mis-trust. India and Russia have been busy bolstering their extensive military and scientific ties, most recently through Delhi's Aug. 16 purchase of 250 Russian engines for use in a new Indian military jet trainer. India has already invested $1.7 billion in Sakhalin-1, a major oil-and-gas field off Russia's Pacific coast, and recently committed an additional $3 billion for investments in other projects.China, meanwhile, is emerging as a player in Central Asia. Beijing has signaled its support for the region's authoritarian leaders, who face criticism in the West and the threat of unrest at home. And Kazakhstan has a strong economic incentive to look to China, the closest and most obvious major market for its oil. Petro-Kazakhstan has proven and probable reserves of 550 million barrels and produces 150,000 barrels a day. Much of that will probably be processed at Chinese refineries following the completion of a pipeline between the two countries.As the global economic balance shifts toward Asia in the decades ahead, China and India may well cooperate in many spheres. Energy, clearly, will not be among them. It is logical to deduce that as the two most populous countries are emerge as industrial powers their demand for oil will continue to rise as will the ongoing demand for oil from other industrialized nations. This can only lead to increased oil sales for oil producing nations particularly for the nation that has the world’s second largest oil reserve, Iraq.

Who Can You Trust To Buy Dinar From?

There are many good sellers online. Ultimately you’ll have to the select the person with whom you feel most comfortable. Most prices are within $50 to $100 per million of each other so price isn’t the primary issue in selecting a dealer online in my opinion. Most dealers are selling at relatively inexpensive rates. Whether you pay $800 per million or $900 per million isn’t as significant in the long-term when you are looking to make the kind of return that was discussed earlier. An issue of greater concern is being able to find a reputable dealer whom you trust. If you lose all the capital you were planning to invest in the Dinar to an unscrupulous dealer, you didn’t save a thing.It’s also important to be certain that the more cheaply priced Dinar is actually new Iraqi Dinar and that the bills are crisp, not wrinkled, torn or worn. Iraqi Banks won’t accept worn or damaged Dinar.Furthermore, it is crucial to determine, that whomever you select to purchase your Dinar from, is registered as a currency dealer with the U.S. Department of Treasury. This offers a layer of security and some level of screening that has already been provided to you by the U.S. Government. It also creates a level of accountability for the dealer.

Finally, be sure that you are able to contact your seller directly before, during and after the transaction. The first time I bought Dinar, I bought from the person with whom I could contact over the phone and speak with person to person. I had questions that I needed answered and I wanted to speak directly with the person who would be accepting my money and promising me Dinar in return. I was unfamiliar with the investment at the time and it was really very reassuring, as well as helpful, to be able to talk with the dealer directly. I wasn’t concerned over the price as much as I was the security. I needed to know that my hard earned money would be gain me an investment in the Dinar. I knew I could go with the cheapest dealer I could find but if I lost the money to them, I wouldn’t have saved a thing.

What About Counterfeit Bills?

This issue has not turned out to be the concern I originally thought it would be. The old Iraqi currency was more susceptible to counterfeiting because it was made cheaply and lacked the security features that are present on the new Iraqi Dinar. One of the reasons it hasn’t been an issue is due to the new, state of the art, security features. The security features on the new bills rival what even the wealthiest countries can offer, including the United States Dollar. Here is a picture of the 25,000 Dinar bill with the security features.

You can print out a picture of the bill showing the security features above and compare it to your Dinar when you get it. I recommend buying a UV light. You can purchase one on eBay relatively inexpensively or buy one online. Just do a Google search under “UV light.” You can get them for under $10.

The final consideration that you will need to make will be the amount of money you are comfortable investing. Most of the people who invest with me aren’t concerned about whether they might lose the money. Primarily because I recommend that they not invest more than they can afford to lose. Most investors simply don’t want to miss out on the huge payoff if it goes the way many are hoping.

How Can I Sell The Bills If They Increase In Value?

This is an important question. If your money goes up in value but you have no place to exchange it, it would essentially be worthless. At this time banks are not exchanging Iraqi Dinar. That is also why you are able to purchase the Dinar for less than .001 or 1/10 of a penny on the dollar. When the banks do begin exchanging it is anticipated that the value of the Dinar will take off. It’s comparable to a pink sheet stock moving up to a higher exchange. For right now, the Dinar is not being traded on an exchange.When the Dinar does go on the world market the banks will start carrying the currency. How soon after is only a guess at this point. If your money goes up in value while the banks are not carrying it you’ll have to get it exchanged through a dealer like myself just like you would go about buying it now only the reverse process.Another option would of course be to fly to Kuwait or Jordan and go to the currency exchange and get them exchanged yourself. For many this may not be a viable option. But it is an option for those of you who are able to do so and would rather do it themselves than to pay any of the commission to have a dealer to do it for you. However, if it goes up in value it may only be a short matter of time before the banks begin exchanging it again.

Conclusion

Thank you for coming to my blog and taking your valueble time to read this. I hope this information has been useful to you and that it allows you to pursue any investment you decide to make with confidence. As always, please feel free to leave comment, email or skype me (skype ID alex_lifekiosk) with any questions you might have.

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