I'm starting in the directory business and I was wondering what would be a better starting site, a general directory, or a unique niche directory (I already have a decent idea for this)?
no matter what you choose, if you invest alot you will earn alot. i think general directories are more famous so it means more competition, so go for niche Directory.
If I were you - I would not have asked this Q at all-- because the General directory market is almost saturated --now is time for NICHE directories ( I'll start one Real-Estate and one Business directory soon). Google also advises webmasters to list in related directories.
actually, that's quite untrue. Many have lost LOTS if they did not invest wisely and had business smarts abt the online industry. If it was that simple, then everyone will just be pouring money in and seeing the money back....
Go for a niche directory, a general web directory is very hard to operate and maintain, think about it; if you have 2000 categories in your general directory how much time and money will it cost to promote these categories, get submissions and review them properly. Think about when you have niche specific categories what you know nothing about you must review a website submitted in that category. It's hard. Instead think about what you really like; if you like soccer why not create a soccer directory. You already have knowledge about the topic and in the end you will not be bored with the directory because you already liked the topic in the first place. Good luck.. Btw, paid..
Trust me, you'll want it paid. Its hard as it is filtering the sites that don't follow the guidelines.
I think the best option is to go with a niche directory, but not any niche directory. So, be careful the one you choose. For your second question: Start with a free option for 3/6 month or 1 year and have a paid option available at the same time.
Personally i think if you have a specific area of interest or a hobby that relates to a niche you should go for that because you're more likely to see the project through than to get bored of subject matter (or general) that your not so interested in.
Go for a niche directory, and start fairly specific. Yoiu can always expand later by adding another directory, but it's harder to contract by trying to turn a general directory into a niche one, or by contracting a broad niche directory into a narrow one. For the link buyer, it's actually quite hard to find good quality niche directories to submit to, in certain topics. There are a few, but not enough.
yeah i would vote for niche directory and paid one too. (piad one with the option of free with reciprocal is not a bad idea right？)