One big site or several little ones?

[Jimmy Bergstedt]

My strategy has been like this:

• Start off with a main site, that has loads of content and is SEO optimised, find out what works and start earning
• Always be on the lookout for new great domain names
• Find a way to create new sites for your new domains with ease, but make em good. I use a platform for this, but you could just copy your sites ground code. Just make it easy for you.
• When your affiliate account starts earning more, your affiliate managers will be more likely to give you special offers
• Use these special offers on all your sites, customers are more likely to pick your link if you got a unique offer
• Continue expanding

 

[Giggity.]

Started with one main one and will be eventually branching out into 2 smaller ones once time permits

 

[autonomas]

One big site (provided you don't do blatant black hat to get penalised) and when it starts making serious cash, then you make another. When that one starts pulling in players, then you make a third, etc. Everything is about brand these days. Brands are more valuable than a 100 sites with thin content.

 

[AussieDave]

Maintenance and other considerations aside, imo the bigger the site the better. Its always all about the numbers.

I agree with that statement

At one stage I had 35 sites, which 1/2 of these has sub-domain blogs attached. Back then, it was good to cast the net wide. Once a site was done, it was set, forget and on autopilot. The blogs took a post once a week to keep the fresh but that's about it.

These days, with all the G changes and social media being trumps, try running that many sites, as a one person concern. You'll either go ass up or go insane from burn-out. I've cut things right back and even with three (3) sites, I'm finding it hard to have a life outside work.

My plan is to open up one BIG/Huge global targeted site and work that.

 

[edgarf76]

I like jimmys strategy but it gets hard to manage. Right now I have my eyes on some domains but have my hands full at the same time. It's tough.

 

[slotplayer]

that's true, the days of set it and forget it are over.

 

[Guard Dog]

Those days have been over since Microgaming lost their way, IMO.

 

[AussieDave]

Those days have been over since Microgaming lost their way, IMO.

Those days ended when the Google animals marched into town

 

[Giggity.]

Must have been nice to have that many sites and not have to update website and social content constantly.

To the old hands here... obviously being an affiliate is still worth it since you're still in the game; my question is... now vs then, how much has the work output to money earned ratio changed for you over the years?

Also; what do you feel was the primary factor involved in this change? Google, and their domination of search? Affiliate/casino saturation?

 

[slotplayer]

Those days ended when the Google animals marched into town

Agree, not sure what MG has to do with it unless that is a time reference.

 

[edgarf76]

Those days ended when the Google animals marched into town

That is another good reason to have several sites, affiliates may be doing something that they think is whitehat but is in the grey area on a site, and not know about it, then get hit with a algorithmic penalty.



Best Regards


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[LandofOz]

I'd rather have 10 sites that make $$$$ per month, than one big site that generates the same amount of money per month. The reason being what edgarf76 has said. And I'd rather make $1000 from 10 different affiliate programs, than $1000 from one or two affiliate programs because you never know when or if they will ever close down, go rogue, add a new term to screw you, or whatever. It's also good to try to rank in Bing and Yahoo and other search engines, because you should never rely too much on one single search engine.

 

[edgarf76]

I'd rather have 10 sites that make $$$$ per month, than one big site that generates the same amount of money per month. The reason being what edgarf76 has said. And I'd rather make $1000 from 10 different affiliate programs, than $1000 from one or two affiliate programs because you never know when or if they will ever close down, go rogue, add a new term to screw you, or whatever. It's also good to try to rank in Bing and Yahoo and other search engines, because you should never rely too much on one single search engine.

Indeed, Bing and yahoo are important. I added bing webmaster tools to some sites, but I have not found it helpful yet. I hope to find bing more useful

 

[i-man]

Yes! Diversification is good, so my plan is to work on one big casino affiliate site and then buy some sites that are already making money in other niches other than gambling.

 

[Kadabra]

I think you were refering to slightly different type of diversification - many sites in one niche, online casinos for example vs. each site targeting a different market. As usual, both have their pros and cons.
Having few sites focused on one industry is easier in certain way since you know the market, the programs, get the feeling of whats going on, easier to write content, not to mention the linking part. The downside is clear - you can ask many guys that were focused on US online casinos in 2006.

The second option has lower risks, but demands more effort, since every time you need to understand what's going on and start all over.
Having said that, specifically the gambling industry is extremely competitive, if you manage to make money here i assume it would be easier for you to recreate your success in other areas.

 

[adnan]

It actually depends on the purpose of your work. If it's for Google ranking and you are ready to
maintain the regularity I guess one big site is better, because with lots of contents and separate
tables you can give your site a nice shape that helps you to get good traffic as well as better ranking.

 

[bukowski]

The problem is that strategy-wide long-term you should diversify (to avoid getting screwed by google and a rouge aff-program), but at the same time it is much easier to rank by building a really great site in a lucrative niche, than building several sites in several niches.

 

[3joker]

I have one big site and a few small side projects. But I am now starting another big one because I feel the first big one is under control.

 

[Guard Dog]

Here is the real answer... ready?

It depends!

It depends upon what type of person you are. What I found for myself is that when I started spidering out - I had WAY more issues keeping sites updated. It got to the point that I simply left all sites unattended more than not. If you can afford to HIRE people, diversification could NET you a lot of money. But you have to do it the right way. You have to be dedicated in the face of setbacks and disappointments. I - was not that kind of person. I needed to stick with 1 or 2 main sites. Had I done that, I think I would be in a better place overall.

If you are the kind of person that can manage multiple projects and keep yourself on track ALWAYS <<-- This is important - Then diversification will work for you.

 

[3joker]

Agreed, if you are a good multitasker and/or have a big staff to keep multiple sites updated every day, several sites is the way to go.