Competing with the big boys!

with adsense...

[adamnichols45]

If having looked at the top 10 sites offering a website in your chosen suject, hobby etc and think you can do it better would you bother?

Already knowing that they have been around for the last 3 or so years?

Your views guys...

[BigDave]

Yes, because I don't care about how they are doing on any particular search term. There are lost of other terms they aren't going to rank for if their content isn't all that good. And if my content IS that good, in a year or so, I'll be replacing them in a lot of the bigger search terms.

Anyway, I write what interests me. If it pays well, great! If it pays lousy, it's still money that is coming in with no additional work required.

[jomaxx]

I don't know about "better". I frankly don't think same-but-better is enough, plus it's also kind of a matter of opinion. You need to have something unique. That can be enough.

[FourDegreez]

I've done just that, and the site is now my most profitable. So I'd say go for it. Build a better mousetrap.

[Hobbs]

Go for it if you love the topic but be warned:

What worked 3 years ago, does not work today.

Even with better content, don't expect to take then on quickly or even sowly, it will take much much longer time.

[europeforvisitors]

Also, if you're going it alone, you can afford to do things that the big corporate guys can't--e.g., building in-depth, authoritative content for niches or subniches that wouldn't produce enough revenue (or at least enough immediate revenue) to justify the expense of hiring salaried staff or paying market rates to experienced freelancers.