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You Advice is needed: What should I do now about my website ?

by onegoodman
9 replies
hi warriors,

I need your advice with what to do about this website. I own the website: studentbasecamp dot com

I started this website two years ago as blog and got carried away spending a fortunate on it turning it into a website a year later (since the blog was doing pretty well, but my users used to complaint about the blog as discounts can be better located as a website) instead of a blog. As this been said, although I spent a lot on functionality, I wasn't wise developing the website as far as the design.

The website used to have a good amount of hits, but with time going on, I had a hard time working on other website.

I used to rank on first page on google on one of they keywords (with really high traffic) and still on yahoo and bing on first or second (Big companies were killing me on Google).

As far as traffic it start to die out, I have a lot of backlinks on the website, but I am not sure what should I do now, I list it on flipaa, (been 20 days and current bid is $150).

The website contain a feature that doesn't exist on any competitor which simply using search engine, where you can insert zip code / address to locate stores that offer the discount when student show up id (i went crazy collecting stores and paying to get store locations).

I have to say at some point I failed to market the website.

Now, I am wondering what should i do ? as I have four options:

1- Sell it ( I doubt with the end of the sale i will make half what i invest on it) but maybe a better marketer get it, where it suppose to be.

2- invest money on design and create mobile apps (I am not sure it is affordable option for now).

3- Put it a side until, i make enough funds (i already did that for few months, but i am concerned the more i wait, one day a competitor may actually show up with similar functionality, the current locations, many of them were collected manually by me).

4- Look for a partner with better marketing skill, who can put more time on the website.

I need some help as I am really confuse with what to do, my other website is doing really well, and keeping me busy but every time I look on this website, I feel guilty to let it go. I spent too much time and effort working on it and practically my first website developed by me.
#advice #needed #website
  • Profile picture of the author thehermitvi
    The site is nice but I really don't see how you are monetizing it except for the 49 cent ebooks and those don't seem too targeted to college students.

    What is your income plan for the site? That will make a big difference as to what you should think about doing with it.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    here is my take.

    focus on the local offers page.

    drop everything else. that page and service is pretty cool, the rest is just distracting, confusing, and unfocused. i tried using the directory, and it works... but it looks and feels broke.

    i realize the directory is working the way you have it setup, but it just feels broken.

    the ebook stuff is never going to make you much money and its making your site seem unfocused....its actually hard to tell what you want me to do when i get to your site.

    you have a great idea, and an idea that could really take off and go viral with a good bit of planning and just a little luck.

    you add in an app for iphone and android to the local discounts finder and you have a pretty solid idea.

    move the local discounts page to the home page and then read up on facebook / twitter marketing.

    i would not give up, i think you are pretty damn close to having a real serious idea here.

    i know it may sound a bit crazy, but focus on the service and there will be plenty of ways to monetize this when you get it off the ground.
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    Actually the ebooks were not part of the plan in the first place. I used to have a store online offer lower prices to students, but with time it start to get crazily difficult to manage. So, i cut the things i sell, and provided the e-books for free.

    Well, apparently when it comes to the word free for e-books, people don't like that word : D although all of them were ebooks with master reseller rights. So, i ended up make them for few cents (get them in google shopping and the same time people bother look at them). They don't actually sell through the website, i am selling a full membership on the other website, so some people are paying $5 for full access of all e-books.

    Again, the e-books are for really traffic only. I used to use google adsense and used to make around $150 a month before google didn't like me anymore : D. Now i am making money out of Chitika, which doesn't pay me a thing.

    I am not concerned about making money as I am concerned about the fact that the traffic is not there anymore. I checked google analytics and showing for last 30 days i am getting around 2,500 visitor only (is not much compare to what I used to get). The blog reached up to 1,500 a day
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    Thank you owslaw123. I do think getting rid of the other pages. The reason I didn't is they used to be on the blog. and they used and still actually making some $$. Nothing serious but my point is there is some traffic coming.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Keith
      Originally Posted by onegoodman View Post

      Thank you owslaw123. I do think getting rid of the other pages. The reason I didn't is they used to be on the blog. and they used and still actually making some $$. Nothing serious but my point is there is some traffic coming.
      but what is that "some money" costing you? i see the opportunity cost being way to high. and in all likely hood, could be more than replaced with adsense
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      • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
        Originally Posted by owslaw123 View Post

        but what is that "some money" costing you? i see the opportunity cost being way to high. and in all likely hood, could be more than replaced with adsense
        Thank you. I think i did distract myself by. My main concern was if I get people to visit the website (even the none main function) at some point they well visit the main one and take advantage of it.

        I guess if it is not up front, nobody bother

        I will get everything else out and start focus on main two pages.

        Thank you
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    i have had online businesses for 15 years, and if i owned that site, i would have the local search tool above the fold and my "new deals" blog below it. i would drop everything else.

    i find it very hard to believe that the ebooks pages are bringing you much traffic that has any interest in your primary service the site offers.

    the "cash back" area, is something that could be used in a members area, or as a way to entice people to signup for a newsletter / updates and such. but the way it is right now, its adding to the clutter of the site.

    focus...people are sheep...make it obvious what they are there for.

    people love getting discounts. i could see how this could explode quickly if you could get any traction on something like facebook.

    in my opinion, you are trying to pull any visitors you get in way to many directions. your core idea of a search for places that have student discounts is solid.
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  • Profile picture of the author David Keith
    not a problem, glad i could help. and i really do think you have a solid idea going there. now is not the time to through in the towel.

    dont hesitate to come back for more advice, there are a lot of great marketing minds on this forum who i am sure can offer you some other ideas and such.
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  • Profile picture of the author onegoodman
    I really appreciate your help. I am sure there are great marketer over here.

    I think from time to time when you get too involved, you just need someone to see it from outside.

    I am working on getting rid of the "distracting pages".
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