Forum Moderators: phranque
I’m a newbie here, so I hope I've posted this in the right section.
I’m considering starting a local niche site and I'm wondering if anyone here has found these types of site to be profitable or, conversely, more trouble than they’re worth. (By “profitable” I mean a few hundred USD a month, although I wouldn't complain about more.) What I’m thinking about is a site focused on, for instance, "Boston with kids" or "Denver for retirees". The content would be primarily topic-related reviews and activity ideas for locals. I intend to provide a lot of useful, detailed information that isn’t available elsewhere. Judging just from some preliminary research, the actual niche I’m looking at doesn’t seem terribly competitive.
I’m wondering, though…
1) Is it generally difficult to get traffic to these types of sites?
2) Is competition from general (non-local) review, business listing, and/or travel sites likely to be a problem?
Any tips much appreciated! Thanks!
Zisel
Sure local niche sites can be very, very successful, especially if you "intend to provide a lot of useful, detailed information."
1) Is it generally difficult to get traffic to these types of sites?
It's sometimes much easier. Instead of competing on very general keyword phrases such as "widgets" and "blue widgets," your pages will probably be more focused for longer tail terms, those with 4 or 5 words in they key phrase.
Writing specifically targeted, quality articles and reviews also attracts mentions and links from related sites. Set out to make yourself "the" authority.
2) Is competition from general (non-local) review, business listing, and/or travel sites likely to be a problem?
There's always room for somebody else, especially one with more of a focus and maybe a slightly different voice. Many people don't want just a dry list of activities for the month and appreciate a blurb or two with a more personal point of view. You won't -- and can't -- give everybody what they want, but heck, that's what a niche site is.
Thank you for the reply and the welcome.
a more personal point of view
I’ve been doing a bit more research on the niche I have in mind and it does seem like it’s worth a try.
Thanks again for your input!
Zisel
You can sell adspace off of this kind of site and virtually forget the engines ..especially if you can get a domain name that will have a good chance of being typed directly into the address bar and or easy for people to remember and pass on to each other ..
Also allow for some posters and leaflet distribution in the early days of the site ..small ads in newspapers etc ..
1) Is it generally difficult to get traffic to these types of sites?
2) Is competition from general (non-local) review, business listing, and/or travel sites likely to be a problem?
Certainly 1) yes and 2) yes, but that should not necessarily stop you, especially if you have a unique perspective.
I think your big challenge now is growing the site with incoming links which are much, much more difficult to obtain than in the early days, esp. in areas like Travel.
Frankly I don't think this is a "retirement play" for you but if you go in with a "fun and sometimes helpful hobby" perspective you should do fine.
You can sell adspace
As far as offline advertising, this actually seems like a positive aspect of having a local site. It's much easier to decide where to advertise.
I don't think this is a "retirement play" for you but if you go in with a "fun and sometimes helpful hobby"
Right now hobby level is really all I’m planning on with it, but income is always welcome, so I thought I'd stop by here get some opinions about what to expect. Judging from the replies, it sounds at least like I'm not running headlong into a really stupid idea.
Thanks again!
Zisel
Actually, I think you have a very viable idea. Although I haven't done a massive research into local area niche sites anywhere, I have done enough in my local area to know that there is very little competition. The only REAL local niche site is put out via the newspapers and t.v. stations of the nearest city and it pertains mainly to that city and it's surrounding "burbs". Another words, us smaller towns/little cities around this city isn't worth mentioning! Sorry, a small pet peeve of mine *grins*
Granted, you haven't specified the exact subject matter of your proposed site, but if you have something fairly unique for your local area, or you believe you can out-do the one or two competition sites there, then go for it.
Like others have mentioned, make sure you:
a) have loads of reviews, articles, and other "meat".
b) don't just do a list of activites, dates, locations - this should be just a small portion of the info you provide.
c) again, depending on the subject of your site, try to throw in activities, recipes, poems, songs, whatever pertaining to that subject (and off-shoot subjects) - something for people to copy/print for their own use and something you can add to for repeat visitors to check out. (keep in mind any copyright issues).
d) obtain a variety of relavant incoming links.
e) mention non-profit orgs, suggest out of the way places to visit.
f) throw in an affiliate link or two to stores you think would interest your target visitors.
Just add in items you think would benefit, entertain, and interest your target visitors.
Best of luck with this endevor!
I do plan on having lots of "meat", as you say, not just rehashing what’s already out there. Anyway, think I’d get bored with re-hashing.
suggest out of the way places to visit
Thanks again for the tips!
Zisel
