[Method]: Making $$$ from Free Open source softwares

This method mainly works for very famous softwares which users will know by name. It uses open source software, hence copyright issues etc. shouldn't be a concern provided you specify that you don't own the trademarks. Might as well work with paid software(where you can offer download through your affiliate link if any) but I ain't sure if there will be any copyright issues.

Basically, since the software name is known to the user, whenever he wants to download, he will just search google:
"download <software_name>"

And there lies the key. Many open source software sites have their domain name as the organization name and not the software name in specific. Moreover, download doesn't occur anywhere in the domain name generally and the onsite SEO is many-a-times pathetic. We will use all this to our benefit below.

I'll keep it short, so here goes the quick steps which are followed by an live example:

1. Get the keywords "download<software_name>" in the domain name itself, preferably a ".com"
2. Optimize it properly with onsite seo for the keywords "download<software_name>" like:
   1. Have that as the first 2 words of the site, bold, italic etc.
   2. First 2 words in the description
   3. Include them twice in the first 2 lines of the first para itself.
   4. In all major tags like meta, title, h1, h2, bold, italic etc.
   5. Everything else you can do with the onsite SEO
3. Now, look at the offsite SEO. Get some backlinks. Authoritative are good - even getting them by just offering link exchange on your site is fine.
4. Also mention that you are not associated with the main software site in any way.

Example: Mozilla firefox

Most popular search query: download firefox

Google results:
#1 http://www.downloadfirefoxbrowser.com

#2 http://www.mozilla.com - The actual site

#5 http://getfirefox.net


#1 and #5 are the kind of sites we are talking about. Now check out the #1 to see

1. How he monetizes
2. Gets backlinks using link exchange on his site
3. Builds email list
4. Makes his site look more authentic/helpful including a tutorial video and some awards received by the software

All this makes google feel that it is more helpful for the user than the actual though authoritative site.

You might also want to see how the actual site mozilla.com on #2 optimizes it's onsite seo. That's the case with many open source software sites.

Once you rank at the top, you can use your own twists and turns to monetize more. For instance, it's a fact that firefox gets something like 50 million $ (or 500 million $?) per year from Adsense for google searches made through it and the corresponding ad revenue. Adsense probably cannot be used directly but use something with your own twist. It is open source so nothing stops you from modifying it as well. Might also bundle the software with something that pays (like toolbar etc.) and let the users download it. The opportunities are endless...

If you think it was helpful, do hit the thanks & rep -would be encouraging

Disclaimer: None of the above sites are mine or associated with me in any way. If the links need to be removed, let me know.

Can you suggest a CMS that manages these types of freeware sites?

Wordpress?

Edit:

I just did some research and every popular software that has more then 5000 kw searches has their main site on google #1, with a huge amount of backlinks. Mozilla has more then 250000 .edu backlinks, and, I don't know, did you tried this method by yourself or are you just trying to figure a new way to cash in?

BabyMonster said:

Can you suggest a CMS that manages these types of freeware sites?

Click to expand...

No clue.

SyZygy said:

Wordpress?

Edit:

I just did some research and every popular software that has more then 5000 kw searches has their main site on google #1, with a huge amount of backlinks. Mozilla has more then 250000 .edu backlinks, and, I don't know, did you tried this method by yourself or are you just trying to figure a new way to cash in?

Click to expand...

It was more of trying to figure out a new method. Like the example I provided, downloadfirefoxbrowser.com was ranked above mozilla in my case so was wondering if someone could use this example to explore more such softwares and mint money. The main thing is such sites have somewhat poor onsite seo but backlinks are gonna be an issue like you pointed out. So see if you can get hold of some with less backlinks...