Forum Moderators: martinibuster
I'm a retired teacher who loves to write, so I'm thinking of coming out with quite a few content-rich sites on various topics. My understanding in talking with a Google person is that they care mostly about the informational quality of the site, not why it is written.
My question: do most of you try to hit home runs by preparing the authoritative site on a big topic, or do you try for a lot of singles by having multiple sites, each on a different facet of the big topic? For example, what has the most revenue-generating potential: going after the keyword "weddings" with a general weddings information site, or having focused sites informative sites on hawaii weddings, wedding attire, wedding invitations, and so forth?
Thanks! I hope to be a regular contributor, once I have some experience to contribute.
I think people's experience varies, but ours is that it is hard work to get a new site going. It is much easier to expand an established site that already has a good ranking, inbound links and lots of volume.
There's lots of info in the search engine forum that may be relevant, as well, eg: sandbox effects.
I can be patient, even if it takes a couple of years for a site to mature and get the in bound links it needs.
So, back to my question. If I were going to create new sites, would you all advise focused sites that might not generated as much revenues, but that could climb to the top for their respective keywords fairly quickly? Or would you suggest swinging for the fences by focusing on the big keyword. For example, "weddings" or wedding invitations"? "Jewelry" or "celtic jewelry"? "Crafts" or "scrapbooking"? "Art" or "art posters"? ...
Thanks!
That said, why not work both ends if you have the time and drive.
Have a broad topic site and work the niches as well.
Eventually your niche sites will accumulate rank and traffic that you can then start to funnel to the big one.
You sound patient and intelligent. I say do it all.
Freq---
What worked out well for me was to begin somewhat "editorially diverse," then stay mindful of the possibilities and develop areas based on my own results and observations.
I think the one thing you can get us all to agree on about adsense is that the only results/statistics that are relevant are the ones from your own site. The confluence of audience, site presentation, and advertiser pool makes it nigh impossible for any of us to be more accurate than throwing darts at a board when it comes to predicting some site's performance in some arbitrary niche. Even if one of us knows the niche, it's impossible to know your audience or site.
So, thinking strategically (as you seem willing to do), make the most of data you collect from your own audience about what they want to read, and also your own data about what the advertiser pool is like. Starting general, listening to the readers, and looking for underserved niches seems to be the strategic approach (as opposed to the tactical approach of throwaway sites).
My question: do most of you try to hit home runs by preparing the authoritative site on a big topic, or do you try for a lot of singles by having multiple sites, each on a different facet of the big topic?
I'm using the first approach, though my site has several major subtopics (each of which is worth hundreds of pages on its own). It's an approach that, among other things, makes the publisher less dependent on the search engines for traffic and revenue, because a site that reaches a critical mass of content will generate significant internal traffic, attract repeat visitors, and build a brand identity that may lead to other opportunities. (For example, I was invited to join a fast-growing travel ad network that represents major sites like Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, and IgoUgo.com. I don't think that would have happened if my content had been scattered over 15 or 20 domains.)
The lots-of-separate-domains approach may be preferable if you plan to write about a slew of unrelated topics, or if you like to take chances with iffy SEO techniques.
Also, there can be compromises between the two approaches: On my site, I have an overarching theme, with filenames under directories of the root domain. However, "vanity domains" on several of my major topics point (via 301 redirects) to secondary index pages. This has branding advantages within sub-niches without sacrificing the benefits of having an overall brand identity (not unlike a corporation that might have Swill.com as its main domain and Swill-Lite.com to promote a specific brand).
a few content-rich sites on various topics.
I think you might find your answer by thinking about how related those topics are.
Flower arrangements and custom cars might not fit real well on one big site, even if you toss in remodeling and european travel.
But remodeling and landscaping would seem like a good fit.
would you all advise focused sites... Or...suggest swinging for the fences... For example, "weddings" or wedding invitations"? "Jewelry" or "celtic jewelry"? "Crafts" or "scrapbooking"? "Art" or "art posters"?
I apologise for being slow on the uptake, but is this actually a choice you have to make?
Perhaps the problem is that I'm looking at this more as a Search Engine question than an Adsense issue. If you are going to 'swing for the fences' then, whether you have one site or many, you are still going to start at the bottom and develop lots of pages focused on particular niches.
For example, if you are aiming to target "weddings" as a keyword, then you will build a site, or different sites, with pages that are about wedding invitations, wedding planning, wedding this, wedding that. This will not only help your SEO but assist Adsense in presenting highly target ads for pages that have relevant, qualified visitors.
The outstanding question, then, is whether you put all those pages on the same site or on different sites.
The outstanding question, then, is whether you put all those pages on the same site or on different sites.
Yes, this is the question I should have asked! I am hearing two possibilities: (a) Big site with everything on one domain; (b) Big site with "supporting sites" linking to and from the mother ship. I fear that (b) might be flagged as spammy, even if the content is different.
Big site with "supporting sites" linking to and from the mother ship. I fear that (b) might be flagged as spammy, even if the content is different.
I think that could depend on what the main site is.
I run a widget info type site, and sell nothing on it, except ad space. I could see myself selling T-shirts with the site logo, calendars, etc.
But if I wanted to sell widgets or widget parts I'd set up a new site(s) and advertize it/them on the old site. The new site(s) would just be advertizers like any other ads on the main info site (ok I might give myself a premium ad spot :) ).
I doubt that'd be flagged as spammy, unless interlinking was overdone.
[added] In fact, I probably wouldn't link from the merchant site(s) to the main info site.
