Am thinking of doing some site (low budget for a start) on movies niche. Below are some ideas. What do you think? Any other ideas? -Movies database+ratings site I like this cos it is very scalable But now there are big authority comprehensive movie database sites like imdb.com (now owned by Amazon) , rottentomatoes Those sites are mainly English movies but now they also cover foreign language movies even though their foreign language movies database is not very comprehensive. Obviously, if start an English movies database cannot compete with imdb. How about a movies database of non-English movies? -Movies forum? Forums are big headache and tough to maintain. So many such forums already? Not sure about this -Movies review blog? This requires expert /movies reviewer content/articles which will be costly since may have to pay for such expert content. Plus there are so many of such sites already and such sites are not very scalable. -Streaming movies site? Do not like this. Legal ramifications or too many of them already
I don't want to piss on your rainbow but I think your idea won't be successful. IMDB has such a HUGE database, reputation and entire staff devoted to Movies, Reviews, Movie Forums etc. I just don't see how your single man powered site would ever do well when you take a look at a mature decade+ old web site like IMDB. As for Streaming Movies... don't bother. You will be shut down before you even become popular. And if you DO become popular you will shut yourself down due to the cost of bandwidth and lack of return on investment. A Movie Blog is more realistic. However, based on your post you are thinking BIG and that idea is on the small side. If you really want to make some sort of movie web site I think you need a better idea than just listing movies, reviews and having a forum. In fact, scratch the forum idea until you actually have a web site generating enough traffic to start a forum.
I agree with Netstar. IMDB is too big to compete with because it's in essence a fully functional company. If you want to do a movie niche website/blog, I suggest you approach this from a business and marketing point of view. You will need content, you can do a movie review blog for example or you can pitch yourself to a specific genre like comedy, drama, SF, etc.. OR you can make a movie site and make it with a good name/logo and something new and specific and try to get name recognition (which would be very hard if you don't have alot of money to spend)
I will also suggest you to go with 3rd option as I find it easiest. And you can get enough traffic, if you post Movie reviews on IMDB itself.
Thanks for feedback Looks like movie blog is easiest option but then there are probably millions of those
Websites are commitments. And if you aren't paid to make one you should apply your focus on a subject that greatly interests you. If you are a big movie buff and love to review web sites then by all means start your blog and have fun! If you aren't a huge movie bluff perhaps this niche is not for you and you should spend more time coming up with another idea. Remember whether you anticipate making money down the road or not you aren't being paid. This is a hobby. So you might as well create a site that engages an interests YOU. The last thing you want is a part time job that pays you ZERO.
Tough niche. But not an impossible one. Aside from having been an internet marketer for 20 years, I write screenplays for independent filmmakers, have quite a foothold in the online movie industry, and dedicate a little time to it. You need to approach this the way you would any new business venture: - Look for Gaps in the Market - Seek out Profitable Ways to Fill those Gaps If I were you, I'd go sub-genre. Examples: horror screenwriting, Japanese horror movies, action movies of the 80s. Forget making a stale directory or review site; think instead of how to engage your audience. Audience engagement is key nowadays and will soon dominate, if it hasn't already. A forum is one possible idea, as is any form of social network. Or consider a location like DP that will help your audience achieve a business goal. GRM
you can take as a basis some films that are not so popular in society. or some interesting films that few people know about or for example short films there are actually quite a few of them, but they are not given large-scale publicity. and by the way, many actors and directors started their careers in short films!