Well we see lots of general webdirectories and was wondering my self to have a niche directory in the "web related services " area for bookmark my services. Now before i do that is there any actual interest or any space left these days for niche industries ? If so which area is the hottest one and do u happen to run any niche directories ? I have run only general directories so far !! Thanks
It seems to me that if you took any specific topic, whether it be Football, Fishing, Card Playing, Classic Cars, Social Bookmarking, etc. that you could build a nice niche directory that would generate some interest. All of these general directories are cool, but there's so many of them. Get down to something specific, and something you're interested in, and give it a shot. I'm doing that right now for golf...I'm hoping to make it something fun and maybe make a buck or two in the process.
Running a niche directory takes lots of patience because it is slower to build links and to get submissions. Those listed above might be too specific, instead I would go for 'sports' or 'games', that way you have a little larger of a potential market for building links and getting review submissions. I am a big fan of niche directories and think it is the wave of the future, here are the ones I have recently launched (they are more complete portals than just link directories): Health Directory Portal Music Directory Portal Finance Directory Portal Coming soon: Directories Portal Shopping Directory Portal Webmaster Directory Portal Those new ones should keep me busy till 2008 and then I might look at launching a few more, I would like to have a network of 10.
Not to get up in your biz or anything JG, but you seem like you've got a pretty good handle on this stuff. Are your sites generating some decent $$. How long have you been at it, and is it paying the bills?
I started in the directoy business around 2 years ago, I made a lot of mistakes and sold-off a few of my directories along the way, it was a huge learning experience and these new portals are based on the sum of that experience. I have made a few bucks but nothing near the potential I think is out there. When I first began it was with free directories, but that was a nightmare, so I changed over to the paid model and it has done well, the real challenge is having the patience to wait for it to pay-off. Based on my experience, the first 6-months is all loss (time and money), the next 6-months is a building phase. After the first year you can expect to start earning money. There are some exceptions, for example, if you have lots of funds to invest from the start you might shorten things up a bit, but a quicker reward means a bigger risk.
I run several niche directories on a wide variety of topics. With work and dedication and time, niche directories can be rewarding. REALLY big companies often prefer to buy listings in appropriate niche directories. I have gotten several submissions from huge multi-billion dollar companies to some of my niche sites. Since you already run a general directory and therefore obviously have experience running a directory, go ahead a pick a niche directory to try.
I run two niche directories one on Health and one on Genealogy I am slowly building them up and as jg123 said expect to lose money before you start making it pay off
niche directories are the way to go. I started mine because I could not find a good resource for my niche. I would constantly have to search google for poor results. Id rather have quality results for my niche in one location.
Is there any space for niche directories left ? NO... My New General Directories have most of the important niches covered with the the basic categories pertaining to automotive, real estate ,shopping ect ect.. plus now article directories, rss directories, deep link directories as well video, pics/photos and WAP will fall as general submissions and few other things will be soon consumed by the general directory off today and our web directories of tomarrow. Sorry we just refuse to Die... thx malcolm
I think there will always be an opportunity (i.e. "room") for niche directories. You could pick ANY niche and succeed IF you're able to drive traffic to your site and give your clients exposure. Site owners are always eager to find effective marketing vehicles. On the other hand, if you're not able/willing to invest in building traffic and you're counting on people to submit for SEO reasons alone then I wouldn't recommend you waste your valuable time as there are better opportunities out there.
I do believe there's still space left for niche directories, I do believe niche such as games could be very well, indeed. It is not very specialized, neither is it 'too' large, a very good niche in my opinion. Like mauiman said above, I do believe that you can suceed with any niche, as long as you are eager to try and bring traffic to your web site. Meti
Truthly speaking Yes actually there is room but it does depend on the owner and what he will bring to his directory... EX: a "Games directory" that also offers "articles" free downloads and an "on site arcade" with other related info will be seen higher in weight and bring more traffic then a directory thats just asking for you to submit a crusty old link. thx malcolm