Online shopping malls

Do customers "buy" from these supermarkets?

[vibgyor79]

Over a period of time, I have come across a huge number of "online shopping malls" or "virtual supermarkets" or whatever you want to call them. A large percentage of them have tacky web design, CJ/linkshare links to almost everything and with little or no content. (however, I have seem a few with description of products and then a qksrv affiliate link).

Their homepage generally goes something like "blahShoppingMall.com has tied with biggest players like WalMart, Dell.." hehehe ;)

Do these things make money? I think they do - else, why would the webmaster spend the time and effort to make all those categories and upload those links? Also, they do seem to have good search engine listings and PR.

[gopi]

Vibgyor , In Affiliate marketing , Shopping malls or dedicated affiliate product sites , as you know success just boils down to targetted top SERP listings ... If i can get top 3 listing for "Canon Powershot Camera" i am going to sell it no matter mine is a shopping mall or just some ugly gateway .

I believe most affiliate newbies start with a mall type site and when they mature learn to create those single product mini sites :)

[MrSpeed]

The online mall site is alive and well. I used to think they were so "1989".

Affilates still like to use mall sites because they can try out new programs fairly easily just by adding another category to the mall. If category/program performs well the affiliate may go create a site centered around the product/sponsor.

On a similar note it does appear the "freebie" type site has ridden off into the sunset. Coupons sites are still popular but require way too much work in my opinion.

[gopi]

>>> Affilates still like to use mall sites because they can try out new programs fairly easily just by adding another category to the mall. If category/program performs well the affiliate may go create a site centered around the product/sponsor.

Using as a testing ground is an important use of a mall type site . But in a pure Sales and SERP perspective mini sites always beat the malls .

So the best strategy is having one or two mall sites ,test merchants/products using them and spinoff minisites if those products perform