Threats and Peace Treaties

....is this the wild wild west?

[ScottM]

Three months or so ago, I started up a new website. More of an experiment, than anything, really. I was just trying to see if a domain name had any impact on Google at all.

It doesn't.

In the meantime, I debuted at #11 on Google for my search term, up to #9 this month. My current projection, based on experience is top 5 by next update. (ODP listing, multiple links added...etc...you know-secret stuff that NO ONE knows about?:>)

So, I've now proved domain names don't mean 'squat' for a good listing on Google.

BUT:

In the meantime I've been threatened by a competing website. (It was a moot threat-I called his bluff)

By another, I've been asked for a 'peace treaty'...a 'combine resources/truce'...whatever that's supposed to mean....

I'm not sure what to do from here...???

I'm just scaring these guys, and they aren't happy about it, and yet I've yet to realize a single dime from my website. I do it for fun, but it seems to be causing some problems for other folks looking to capitalize on these search terms.

So....where do I go from here?

Is there money to be made in any 'peace treaty'?

[EliteWeb]

heheheh make the site #1 and offer to sell it to them ;)

no peace treaties - we're warriors!@

[rcjordan]

Just blow their doors off, then *if* you choose to bargain you'll be in the here-are-my-terms position.

[ScottM]

So the way to approach it is this:

Become number one and set the terms?

But what would be the terms?

No compete? Revenue sharing?

Remember, I've had no money come my way....I'm basically advertising for free...

[rcjordan]

>I'm basically advertising for free...

If it's not costing you anything except labor and pocketchange, what do you have to lose at this point? Keep getting in the spot where others want to be and something usually shakes out if there's value in it.

[Travoli]

>Just blow their doors off, then *if* you choose to bargain you'll be in the here-are-my-terms position.

Absolutely. Imagine the possibilities!

[Liane]

Great way to garner new business for any hungry SEO types! Find an easy niche which isn't being optimized but where a few are obviously gliding along and raking in the money off their 8 year old web sites. Become an authority on the subject, build a website and get to number one spot. Then sell the site to the highest bidder. Carving out a new market for yourself ... cool!

[EliteWeb]

I agree with Liane, try it that way or heck do some research and open up a webstore ;) hehehe and actually profit from it in the end.