Newb question about a site idea

JMac · 04-08-2009, 01:12 PM

Hello all,

I am a computer network engineer with many years of technical experience. I recently decided to slow things down a bit and leave the corporate world and I took a job as a professor at a state college. I was discussing the idea of building a personal website where I would create how-to guides and quick reference material concerning all things IT (Information Technology). One of my students pointed me here and said I may be able to make some extra money on the side is I placed some ads from google on the site.

I have spent several days checking out the forums here, and I looked for a newb section but didnt see one so if this is in the wrong place to post this please excuse me. The site here has really opened my eyes about what is going on in the internet.

My question is, do any of you experienced IM'ers think a site like mine could work for google adsense? Computers and IT on the internet are very saturated and from what I read in others posts here you need a niche to work in that is not heavily used. My site would have several different sections covering a wide variety of IT subjects and I was also thinking of adding a blog to discuss some of the topics that pop up in my classes as well as trends I see in the field of computing.

BTW, I am a network guy, I deal with routers, servers and firewalls and have almost no web development background. This stuff is all new to me. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Pat Ordenes · 04-08-2009, 01:21 PM

I'd say you're in a niche, but it may still be a little broad...
You could set up some squidoo lenses, each specific to a particular topic, and check the traffic on them first (you can run adsense on them also), then focus on the one with the strongest traffic to build your site. I usually test my stuff on squidoo for niches, before going into it full steam ahead...

Jill Carpenter · 04-08-2009, 01:32 PM

There are definitely programs for you to promote.

Isn't there a networking for dummies book out there? That is just one. Either a blog or a forum set up, with some adsense.- it will not kill you. But don't know if you should just focus on adsense alone to monitize.

Quote:

I would create how-to guides and quick reference material concerning all things IT (Information Technology).

I would make visitors sign up to a list to get specific how to guides. You will be able to then market to them through an auto-responder.

Also, add some amazon on the side and you will have several models set up to test.

Marty S · 04-08-2009, 01:50 PM

Dude, I would give my eye teeth to be able to write about technical stuff online, because there will always remain a gap between end-users and support techs.

You can certainly find MANY niches by going to tech forums and finding out where manufacturers are dropping the ball on support issues simply by reading complaints that keep on repeating themselves.

You actually might want to start out with a general portal type website that has little earnings pressure but would be a good venue for you to start writing. I would recommend using a Joomla! format for this. Then after a few (6-8) months or so, start pinpointing profit triggers in terms of traffic, feedback, and your personal preferences as to what to write about.

Once you determine a more targeted strategy, then start creating spin-off sites promoting your own solutions, or affiliate software.

All the best.

Droopy Dawg · 04-08-2009, 04:10 PM

Yes a blog is the perfect way to do this. You can create short guides on how to configure firewalls and such. You can build a list by offering these free reports. You can write IT articles and submit to EZA to drive traffic.

So many things that you can do. I'm also a network admin, but I'm looking for a career change

Moving more to the web/programming side of the house.

JMac · 04-08-2009, 08:55 PM

Thank you all for the great advice. Marty, I tried to pm you back but my post count is not high enough yet.

dave830 · 04-08-2009, 09:15 PM

J-Mac,

I agree with everything said here- and would encourage you to think specific.

"Computer networks" is pretty broad, and I'd bet there's fair amount of material out there competing.

"Computer network for newbies" (seems like this is an option you're considering)
"Ask the Network Guy" (you answer user submitted questions)
"Hands-on Networking" (grab a flip camera and RECORD all your articles!)
"Teaching Computer Networking" (you're already doing it, target networking instructors)

Just some thoughts.

Dave

04-08-2009, 01:12 PM	#1
JMac HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 166 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 25 Posts Social Networking	Newb question about a site idea Hello all, I am a computer network engineer with many years of technical experience. I recently decided to slow things down a bit and leave the corporate world and I took a job as a professor at a state college. I was discussing the idea of building a personal website where I would create how-to guides and quick reference material concerning all things IT (Information Technology). One of my students pointed me here and said I may be able to make some extra money on the side is I placed some ads from google on the site. I have spent several days checking out the forums here, and I looked for a newb section but didnt see one so if this is in the wrong place to post this please excuse me. The site here has really opened my eyes about what is going on in the internet. My question is, do any of you experienced IM'ers think a site like mine could work for google adsense? Computers and IT on the internet are very saturated and from what I read in others posts here you need a niche to work in that is not heavily used. My site would have several different sections covering a wide variety of IT subjects and I was also thinking of adding a blog to discuss some of the topics that pop up in my classes as well as trends I see in the field of computing. BTW, I am a network guy, I deal with routers, servers and firewalls and have almost no web development background. This stuff is all new to me. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

04-08-2009, 01:21 PM	#2
Pat Ordenes Graphic designer warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 414 Thanks: 32 Thanked 55 Times in 41 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Newb question about a site idea I'd say you're in a niche, but it may still be a little broad... You could set up some squidoo lenses, each specific to a particular topic, and check the traffic on them first (you can run adsense on them also), then focus on the one with the strongest traffic to build your site. I usually test my stuff on squidoo for niches, before going into it full steam ahead...
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04-08-2009, 01:50 PM	#4
Marty S Screencaster Yoda War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,454 Blog Entries: 11 Thanks: 241 Thanked 317 Times in 213 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Newb question about a site idea Dude, I would give my eye teeth to be able to write about technical stuff online, because there will always remain a gap between end-users and support techs. You can certainly find MANY niches by going to tech forums and finding out where manufacturers are dropping the ball on support issues simply by reading complaints that keep on repeating themselves. You actually might want to start out with a general portal type website that has little earnings pressure but would be a good venue for you to start writing. I would recommend using a Joomla! format for this. Then after a few (6-8) months or so, start pinpointing profit triggers in terms of traffic, feedback, and your personal preferences as to what to write about. Once you determine a more targeted strategy, then start creating spin-off sites promoting your own solutions, or affiliate software. All the best.
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04-08-2009, 04:10 PM	#5
Droopy Dawg Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 925 Thanks: 67 Thanked 139 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Newb question about a site idea Yes a blog is the perfect way to do this. You can create short guides on how to configure firewalls and such. You can build a list by offering these free reports. You can write IT articles and submit to EZA to drive traffic. So many things that you can do. I'm also a network admin, but I'm looking for a career change Moving more to the web/programming side of the house.

04-08-2009, 08:55 PM	#6
JMac HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio, USA Posts: 166 Thanks: 18 Thanked 49 Times in 25 Posts Social Networking	Re: Newb question about a site idea Thank you all for the great advice. Marty, I tried to pm you back but my post count is not high enough yet.

04-08-2009, 09:15 PM	#7
dave830 HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sunny Tampa FL Posts: 208 Thanks: 101 Thanked 23 Times in 19 Posts	Re: Newb question about a site idea J-Mac, I agree with everything said here- and would encourage you to think specific. "Computer networks" is pretty broad, and I'd bet there's fair amount of material out there competing. "Computer network for newbies" (seems like this is an option you're considering) "Ask the Network Guy" (you answer user submitted questions) "Hands-on Networking" (grab a flip camera and RECORD all your articles!) "Teaching Computer Networking" (you're already doing it, target networking instructors) Just some thoughts. Dave
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