Web site Advice
Here is some advice on what kind of sites to set up.
- Stay away from trendy sites. You don't want to be an imitator. There are too many webmasters out there trying to be the next HotOrNot by setting up a pic-rating site. Or trying to by the next big social networking site by setting up a site where people can create profiles. By the time you set up your site, the trend will have cooled off. If you're always looking at other sites, then you will just be a follower and not a leader. Imitator sites should only be done as novelty sites - Millionpennyhomepage.com was a good one.
- Stay from links pages and directories. There isn't much of a competitive advantage here.
- Look at unwanted markets. Sometimes established "unwanted markets" can offer opportunities simply because people ignore them. Most people assume that mature industries that have no growth are bad, but the general lack of interest can lead to a lack of innovation that can create an opportunity. A non-web example of this would be satellite radio - an industry that was ignored for half a century.
- Stay away from "network-effect" sites. As a small or medium webmaster you want to stay away from sites like social networking site, dating sites, or job sites. Without huge volume these sites are worthless.
- Don't bother setting up an "Everything Site". Some people make the mistake that the broader the site is then the more successful it will be. You'll see this now with people trying to setup the next Craigslist. You don't want your site to be too broad because it will lack focus and identity.
- Look at big categories from a niche perspective. The biggest areas aren't necessarily the ones where you want to be. Because they are the biggest areas they also tend to be the most competitive. The biggest category on the internet is probably sex. If you are planning to create a site about sex, then you should create a site about celebrity sex tapes or something like that. Instead of creating a site about poker, create a site about poker chips.
- Don't chase the big blockbuster idea. It is too high risk. It will have to be perfect in order for it to succed.
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