Most people's idea of using their website to make money doesn't go much beyond creating a some sort of website, and then hoping that somehow this will translate into some sort of increased income.

Perhaps they'll also pay hundreds (or thousands) of dollars to someone who sends them an email promising to "get them to the top of hundreds of search engines". There's no way to check this, because it is a totally meaningless statement.

eBay is also held up as a model of how to make money on the internet, and it certainly can be if done right. However, for most people it is a labour intensive process, with very little return, unless you become a large scale seller.

Here are some of the best ways that you can earn a good, consistent income on the internet.

1. Develop and sell your own knowledge products. If you have specific knowledge in a specialised topic, there's a good chance that you can earn a living from it. Especially if there are magazines devoted to the topic.

Knowledge products can include:

- Books that you write,

- Seminars or talks that you record on audio and video,

- Courses and tutorials that you develop.

2. Sell Other people's knowledge products.

This is commonly known as affiliate marketing, and has been given a bad name by idiots who think that all they need to do to be successful is cram a thousand or so banner advertisements onto a web page, and eager viewers will click on the ads, buy the products, and generate a commission.

However, affiliate marketing can be a great source of income if you do it properly.

3. Produce websites with good quality content about a popular topic and put some sort of advertising on them. The normal thing is Google AdSense ads, but there are many more profitable options. Clickbank products can earn you a lot more money if you include them on your website.

4. Sell items that you produce from your own online store. These can be physical items like artwork, food, and clothing.

5. Use the website as a showcase for your professional services, and share your expertise.

There are lots more ways, but I think you get the idea.

Think about how you could be able to use your particular skills, and package them into something that can be sold. Don't concern yourself with the technical details of how it will be made operational.  There are many low cost ways to do just about anything these days, as long as you get the right advice.

Now comes the hard part.

Choose something you can focus on - to the exclusion of anything else - while you take the steps to transform your idea into something that people will pay for.

It won't happen overnight. But you need to make a decision to get started on something.

I wish you all the best.