Create a Resources page that’s insanely helpful and lucrative!

There are certain pages that most blogs have (and should have). A contact me page, an About Me page, a Work with me page and a resources page.  If created well, a resources page can be an extremely helpful page for your audience and a very lucrative page for you.

 

Social proof is a psychological and social phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behaviour in a given situation.‘ Often when we don’t know which tool, service or product to use we seek out the opinion of others as it makes us feel more comfortable with our decision. We think ‘It must be good/the right choice if they use it’.

 

I get asked at least once a day a question about which tools or pieces of software I use to run my business. This is where having a resources page comes into play. There are also a few twists you can put on a bog standard resource page which can help you in other ways. I’ll share these with you too.

 

What’s a Resources Page?

 

A resource page is exact what it says on the tin. A dedicated page on your site, on which you share recommendations of the products, apps, tools and services you use in your business/daily life. Ideally focused around your niche. You can even link to articles from other relevant websites that might be helpful for your readers.

 

In most cases people choose to a dd this information on a page rather than a post, so it can remain a central part of the site. They can then also be linked in the navigation and linked to from other posts and pages.

 

This page can be income generating for you as a number of the links on the page will be affiliate links. Making you money when other people purchase through your special link.

 

Alternative resource pages

 

You have some options when it comes to creating your resource page.

 

• Create a ‘Start Here’ page. A start here page will help you focus new visitors on key information on your site.

 

• Resources and tools page. This is an extension to a Start here page. So it will have your best resources on it and also your favourite tools. So it is a mix of a straight resource page and the start here page.

 

• Focused resource page. This page would be dedicated to one single niche and you would share all the tools/apps and programmes you use in your blog or business. If you run a food blog you might focus on the kitchen equipment

 

What makes a great resources page?

 

• It includes a range of products

 

The more helpful your resource page is, the longer people will hang around and the more often they will come back. So think of your topic as a whole and think of all related areas that you could recommend products in.

 

• It’s built for your audience.

 

While I think it is important to share the tools you currently use, I also think it is important to share other tools (maybe ones you have used in the past). Remember your audience will be at a different level than you. Perhaps they would be a better fit for the entry level product you used to use.

 

• It is updated periodically

 

Make sure you keep the page up to date and add in new tools/programmes/resources as you begin to use them or when you’re asked about something you haven’t yet listed.

 

• It lists the most appropriate products for your audience

 

Although you hope this page will make you money in affiliate sales. The main purpose of this page is to service your audience. So don’t recommend something just because the affiliate commission is good if you don’t genuinely like the product.

 

• It’s more detailed than just the name/link 

 

The more effort you put into this page, the more helpful it will be and the more money it will make. Describe what the product is and why you like it. Include a visual and maybe even a link to more information/a review you’ve done.

 

Let’s create your resources page!

 

So now you know the theory, let’s create a killer page.

 

5 essential elements for designing a great tools and resource page

 

1. Use a static page

 

Start with a new page. A page is better than a post, as it won’t get lost in the feed of your blog and you can link to it in your navigation.

 

2. Create categories

 

You don’t just want to chuck everything on one big list. Think about how best to break down the tools/resources. You could do this my type of product. For example, in my own case, I could have Email, Design, Financial etc. Or you could do it depending on the level of audience. Again in my own case, Resources for Newbies, Resources for pros.

 

3. Don’t just recommend anything.

 

Make sure you’ve had personal experience of the things you recommend. This keeps your authenticity in tact.

 

4. Add useful content

 

Create a description for each product to include. This will, as mentioned, give more context and make your reader more confident in you recommending something you actually use/d and like/d.

 

5. Don’t make all of your links affiliate links

 

You will probably be linking to something that you use, but are not an affiliate for and that is great. Remember, primarily this page is there to serve your audience. If every link was an affiliate link, it wouldn’t give the right impression. When you are using your affiliate links it is a great idea to use the free WordPress plugin Pretty Link (the free on his fine). What this does is that it takes any long complicated affiliate link and turns it into something much more memorable. For example, my convertkit link is https://www.youbabymemummy.com/convertkit So I’ve always remember these links (it also means I can add links like this to my YouTube videos as cards as they are links on my own domain).

 

Handy tool!

ToolsIUse* (affiliate link) is a WordPress plugin that makes creating a categorised and smart Resources page super easy. Simply add your categories. Then add the products, description, image and link. Then when you are creating your page add a shortcode to a blank page and like magic your fully categorised page appears.

I’m currently building this out on both of my sites.

 

 

Promoting your Resources page

 

Now you has your spangly new resources page what do you do with it? Well you definitely don’t just leave it there to gather dust, no my friend we’re going to promote this page and make it visible.

 

1. First things first you need to make sure this page is visible in your navigation.
2. Add an image button in your sidebar.
3. Pop a text link in your footer.
4. Add links in your top performing posts back to this page.
5. Create a YouTube video of your ‘must-have’ tools and link back to this page in the description and cards.
6. Link to this page in your new posts.
7. Do a FB live of your favourite tools linking to this page.
8. Email your list to share the page with them
9. Add a banner to your site linking to this page.
10. Share some of the tools and the page on Instagram/Facebook stories.
11. Create a pin – add it straight to Pinterest with the link of the page. Add to Tribes/Group boards.
12. Create a downloadable version so people can print off and keep handy.
13. Write reviews for the other tools you have included and link to this page.

 

 

Examples of great Resources pages

 

• Amy Porterfield
• ProBlogger
• Smart Passive Income 
• Danielle La Porte
• Chris Ducker
• Michael Hyatt

 

 

So that’s it, you now have the information you need to create a super helpful and income generating Resources page for your blog. Plus you know how you’re going to promote it when it’s built. Are you going to jump in and create your page?

 

If you want to join my mailing list and get access to my epic Blogger’s Resource vault of cheatsheets and downloads as a welcome gift, you can do that here.