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Community Site - To Niche or Not to Niche

by Specter
5 replies
Hey guys-
I've done a lot of site development, some minor IM stuff- so not a complete newbie here (intending on doing A LOT more IM soon!) I know that for the most part, Niche Sites are the way to go. HOWEVER-

I'm building a community site (blog, forums, possibly an industry wiki, etc). The industry is large enough to support a large community site for the ENTIRE industry (there's only a couple out there, and they're HORRIBLE! No good resources, the layout/forums suck, just not good sites AT ALL). It could definitely generate some GOOD income for me thru advertising, hits, referrals leads/business, etc. Obviously, there's potential to build a large LIST for later use of IM type purposes eventually too- but that's not the primary goal.

Here's the question- To Niche or not to Niche? The industry is VERY large, and I could build a single umbrella site for the entire industry. Then, break that down into the 2 major sub-categories within the Forums, blog, etc etc. -OR- I could develop 2 completely separate sites (I would reference them to each other in site design and whatnot to promote the other one easily), but each of the industry sites would specialize in a specific topic pertaining to that site.

For example (this isn't the topic, btw)- I could do a LARGE site based on Automobiles (then break that down into sub-categories within the site itself). OR- have 1 site for Foreign Cars, the other site for Domestic Cars.

Many of the users of either site would overlap into the other one, while only some would not. Speaking theoretically, is it generally better to keep it all under one umbrella site in order to build up a larger community/member base?

I know my gut is telling me to do a single site that encompasses BOTH genres, but the IM world is all about NICHE NICHE NICE. It'd certainly be easier to build/promote/maintain, but I thought I'd get your perspective.

Thank you for the input!!!
#community #niche #site
  • Profile picture of the author Devid Farah
    It think you answered your own question at the end of your post.

    Yes a single site will be far easier to maintain. Even maintaining just one forum if it is busy can become virtually a full time job on its own.

    I would advise going with a single forum on the management side alone
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Consider how Facebook got started.

      First, it was just for Harvard students.

      Then, it expanded to other Ivy League schools.

      Next, it expanded to colleges across the U.S. and Canada.

      Then, high schools.

      Then, it expanded membership to large companies.

      After that, it opened to everyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author JanG
    I'd vote for large authority site, too. Niche sites are for people who fear competition and want to get mediocre results immediately. An authority site might take longer to build but in my opinion the effort is worthwhile.
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    • Profile picture of the author Specter
      Awesome. That's what I was figuring, I just wanted to get the input of IM'ers to have a different take on things. I think it'll increase the 'natural selection' for gathering more members, too.

      Can I ask one more question? The BULK of the site (well, at least what I'm planning on) will be the forums. Like I said, I AM adding a blog, wiki, etc etc too- but I think the forums will be the reason why members/visitors keep coming back. Should I, make the homepage of the site the forums, and then have navigation to the rest of the site (ie, blog, wiki, resources, etc)? OR- should I have the homepage of the site be the blog (wordpress)? Normally I use the blog for the homepage- but I'm wondering if that will discourage less people from visiting the forums section? As you know, many internet users are still morons and won't look for forums unless they're OBVIOUS. HOWEVER- I don't want to lose Search Engine Ranking or SEO by NOT having the blog on the homepage. Does that make sense? Your input?

      Thanks again for the help!
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  • Profile picture of the author JanG
    You would not "lose" search engine rankings if you only had a forum. Look at this forum for example. They don't have keyword rich frontpage, it's all a forum. And the warrior forum ranks damn well in the search engines. Make the satisfaction of your visitors your top priority. If they like your site you will get more visitors naturally. Don't try to force it. And if it's best for the visitors if they land on the forums section upon entering your domain in their browser, then just go ahead and do so.

    You can also do some kind of portal page which features the newest blog entries, the newest forum posts and hot topics, whatever, maybe also news in your niche. Then make it easy for your visitors to click through to your forum.

    Do not overthink this. Make a decision and go with it. Usually the choice that feels best will also be the best one, in the end. :-)

    Good luck with your project!
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