I have a PR4 website and I am not sure I am really using it at its full potential. While I was thinking of what to do with it, the name of the site made me think that it could be a good directory. Forgetting about the site itself or the logistics of creating a directory, what benefits would I get out of creating a directory? Or to put it bluntly, how would I make my money? I see some directory charging $5 per month or $20 once off payment; do businesses actually manage to make some good money out of directories? Does anybody ever pay those amounts? I would rather not charge for my services, (or maybe only for special benefits like been first in the list or something). Or shall I rely on AdSense? Basically are directories worth the amount of work needed? How would/should I promote my directory? FFMG
you can't change a site thematic like that, if you have PR 4, it means it was promoted as something else, if you change to a directory you risk to lose the PR
Sorry I wasn’t clear enough about forgetting about the site itself. I was more wondering on how directories actually make money. What do they get out of it? How do they make money themselves? FFMG
>>> Basically are directories worth the amount of work needed? FFMG , directories (or for that matter any other site) would require quality content, time and your efforts in promoting it. Regarding the returns, basically you have to see for yourself whether the kind of revenues you expect from the directory should be good enough for you to justify your time into it.
The idea only started because of the name of the site, I thought it would be a good name for a directory. Most directories I know have hardly any content really, and I guess that is why I was wondering if it is worth the work of checking every single links when at the end of the day there is hardly any worthwhile return. FFMG
>> Most directories I know have hardly any content really Very true. So you know the problem with all these directories. If you can add value to your directory by adding relevant content and frequently updating, earning money should not be a problem. Mainly, there are 2 ways you can earn money : - by accepting paid submissions (one-time or recurring), sponsorships, advertisements, selling links etc. - by adsense and/or affiliate programs Of course, you can also mix & combine the above as per your needs. However, the main question is not whether you'll be able to earn money. The main question is whether you'll be able to earn the amount of money you want. This is the main question and needs to be addressed by you. Since each person's monetary needs are different, therefore 100 $ per month may be enough for someone, 1000 $ per month may be enough for a second person while even 10000 $ per month may not be enough for a third person. Since you know your requirements and are the best judge whether the monetary returns directory bring should be enough for your needs and that would be enough as per your efforts or not. Hope that helps.
You can also sell email lists and the databases a few times.. No changing the theme will not affect PR at all.
Yes, I could do that, but I wont. What is your point? Where was my post suggesting that I might want to do that? Did I somehow offend you? Where did I hint that it wouldn’t change my PR? FFMG
FFMG, I own a general web directory and it's making money, still in the sandbox but the traffic is steady and growing. There are bascially two options: - You create a general web directory with loads and loads of topics and promote it in every way you possibly can. It's good to start off as a free web directory and turn it into a paid web directory or use fast submission (paid) against free submissions. - Otherwise you create a niche web directory covering just one topic. IMO this new way to go in web directory land. There are so many general topic web directories that with running a niche directory you can really stand out against the rest.
By offering the suggestions listed above (affs, Adsense, link selling) AND you can sell your databases (you can sell them a few times over). You can even rearrange them and sell them again. You can also sell email lists. No it wont. My point: You asked for ways to earn money - I gave you some. Ill try not to again Where was my post suggesting that I might want to do that? to put it bluntly, how would I make my money? Did you offend me ? not 1 bit (i think you took it the wrong way) Where did I hint it will change my PR ? You didnt (see post by rehash)