There is no doubt that Facebook is currently the largest social media site on the internet. The social media giant has begun to permeate every aspect of our lives including the planning of our days, the marketing our businesses, and the purchasing of our phones.

While the most Facebook addicted individual may have been quick to purchase the HTC Status to help them constantly update their friends about their every move, many – in particular, businesses and media personalities – are more focused on how Facebook can help them achieve profitable visibility.

Since Ford’s epic Facebook launch of its 2011 Explorer, companies have been quick to utilize the social media site to their utmost advantage.

Now, you can’t watch a commercial or hear a radio ad without a company’s Facebook page being listed, and companies must have a page if they hope to thrive in the next few years.

So how do you get your Facebook page to pop against the competition? Sure, there are now thousands of business Facebook pages online, but that doesn’t mean that using the site is pointless for the little guy.

Even small businesses can enhance their visibility simply by employing the following when managing their Facebook page:

Consistency

If you want your Facebook page to maintain steady traffic, then you need to post to it at least once a day. Keeping a Facebook page is much like keeping a blog.

If the page is neglected, visitors will lose interest. You don’t need to write a 500 word post for your Facebook page, simply something short and sweet that let’s your fans know what you or your company is up to.

Professional Design

We’re all accustomed to the blue and white page associated with Facebook. However, if you want your page to actually be memorable, consider customizing it.

There are now sites available that allow you to customize your page by adding unique Facebook Backgrounds and layouts. You are even able to choose your own color scheme which can allow you to match your brand’s colors to your page.

Multimedia

Don’t just leave your Facebook page flat with text updates. Be ready to constantly let your Fans know what is going on with your company through images and videos as well.

Not only will these types of media keep your audience informed and entertained, but also every time they click on them it helps you rank higher in the search engines.

Surviving in the online business world is becoming more difficult for those using traditional SEO methods. However, effectively using social media sites can greatly increase your online visibility, and can create an excellent platform for future success.

This is a guest post by Lela Iskandar.

Being an Amazon affiliate is tough if you do not know what you do wrong. I know because I have been in the pit.

But luck and experiments end up giving me new thoughts and perspective on how to make money by being an Amazon affiliate. Here are 5 things that I see newbies do wrong when they try to make money by being an Amazon affiliate. Make it your lesson.

1. Putting links on non-product based site

If your site talks about politics, your audience won’t care about a new camera you just reviewed. If your blog is mostly about screensavers and wallpapers, there’s no reason for them to click a link to buy a full edition MS Office in Amazon.

The reason? They are not buyers.

Sell products where people buy. If you have a site dedicated toproduct comparison or deals you will earn easier commissions.

Even a small traffic guarantees better income, because people who come to your site have the intention to buy. Sending them to a shop is the logical thing to do.

2. Using Amazon banners

I used to think that Amazon banners convert well. After all, if these banners do not perform, why would they push their affiliates to use one? But here’s the thing — they don’t!

Links in your content converts far better than banners. So, just stay with text links. I know some people swear by rotating product ads and so on, but I hate them because they slow down my website. Plain text link is enough for most of your needs.

3. Shying away from recommending products.

If you talks about a new gadget make sure you add a few links to Amazon in your article.

Like I said before, put them in the content – preferably one in the first paragraph, one in the middle and one at the end. You are helping your audience to buy. So don’t be shy.

Some desperate or very eager readers won’t even read your article, and a link to Amazon will provide them a quick getaway. And when they are there, let Amazon converts those lead. Believe me, they do a fine job at that.

4. Not using no-follow link

I used to believe that all my outgoing links to Amazon wouldn’t affect my ranking. After all, Amazon is one trusted brand in the internet.

But here’s the thing. Google hates affiliate sites — especially one with thousands automatically generated pages. So, while your intention is to generate some income from your camera blog, linking to Amazon without putting a no-follow link is a no–no.

When I put no-follow to all my links to Amazon, my rank rose.

5.Focusing only on books

If a book costs your customer $10, how much do you think you’ll get? Less than $0.50.

How many books do you need to sell to be able to pay your hosting bills, domain renewals, rent, food, necklace for your sweetheart… you get my point here.

You must focus your effort on selling big ticket items. If possible avoid electronic items since they are capped at 3% commission. Yes, people buy expensive watches or toys.

You just need to get those people into your blog and send them to Amazon. Do this and you’ll be surprised at the amount of money you can get even with minimum traffic.

I have had a blog with over 10,000 visitors a day and it didn’t make a cent with Amazon. I also have a blog that gets only 10 visitors a day but makes me regular income with Amazon.

They key difference is one is a site on inspirational quotation, the other about hiking gears. And the site on hiking gears converts far better in Amazon.

Learn from my mistakes. I promise that you’ll do well as an affiliate.

Iskandar is a toy shop owner who writes for a waterproof digital camera review website. He is also a father of two.