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SEO and micro niche sites

by NobleSavage
17 replies
  • SEO
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I generally don't worry that much about SEO I just build good sites and it takes care of itself (I might give it a little push or do the usual social stuff). Anyhow, the general consensuses seems to be that Google is tired of super micro niche sites with little content. With all other things being equal what would you guess to be the smallest size in terms of content that would be good?

I normally go for brandable domains instead of key words. Again, the consensus is that Google is de-emphasize key word domains. So why are all the crack head domainers still charging so much for SuperMicroNiche.com? I guess that is a rhetorical question. They charge what they can get.
#micro #niche #seo #sites
  • Profile picture of the author MoneyDan
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    Originally Posted by NobleSavage View Post

    I generally don't worry that much about SEO I just build good sites and it takes care of itself (I might give it a little push or do the usual social stuff). Anyhow, the general consensuses seems to be that Google is tired of super micro niche sites with little content. With all other things being equal what would you guess to be the smallest size in terms of content that would be good?

    I normally go for brandable domains instead of key words. Again, the consensus is that Google is de-emphasize key word domains. So why are all the crack head domainers still charging so much for SuperMicroNiche.com? I guess that is a rhetorical question. They charge what they can get.
    Why are you asking the smallest size you can get away with? That's the wrong question to be asking. It seems that most successful sites have a good mix of quality and a pretty large amount of quality...unless you're a SEO wizard and know otherwise.
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    • Profile picture of the author NobleSavage
      Originally Posted by MoneyDan View Post

      Why are you asking the smallest size you can get away with? That's the wrong question to be asking. It seems that most successful sites have a good mix of quality and a pretty large amount of quality...unless you're a SEO wizard and know otherwise.
      It's more of a philosophical question. I'm playing around with two new sites in my head and I'm thinking of the size I should aim for in a year or so, starting now. I'm going to add content every week. Just looking for feedback and speculation.
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        I have seen sites with as little as 10 pages do very well in a targeted and specific niche. I have seen sites that are 4000 pages flop. It really has nothing to do with how large or small a site is, its how well its written, and how much a end user can gain from reading it.

        I tend to develop sites that are on the larger size, but have figured out that grouping content in reference to context is key. By doing this you are attracting an end user by a keyword set, and able to offer like if not equal content beyond that page they have landed on.

        Doing this increase site time, and page visits. 2 very solid indicators of "quality" content. I would almost go as far as to say that those 2 indicators are probably the MOST important of any and all SEO factors.

        The initial build of a site is more focused on design and layout etc. Its the growth aspect that needs to be focused on the create a free flowing ability for the end user to not only find content they are interested in, but more importantly click on follow up content once they are there.

        This is where cross linking concepts come into play. You don't cross link to cross link because google tells you to. you cross link to make it easier for the end user to find the information they are searching for.

        It kind of comes down to this, the more pages a user clicks on. The more time they spend on your site. You are developing a level of trust with that user, and the chances of you turning that user into a customer increase dramatically.
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        • Profile picture of the author NobleSavage
          Ok, one general term I'm after is "Concrete Construction". This is actually quite large. You think I should narrow it down a little more? Should I start with an overall outline and then slowly add sub content and then sub sub content i.e. top down or just start in the middle and work from the bottom up?
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          • Profile picture of the author savidge4
            Originally Posted by NobleSavage View Post

            Ok, one general term I'm after is "Concrete Construction". This is actually quite large. You think I should narrow it down a little more? Should I start with an overall outline and then slowly add sub content and then sub sub content i.e. top down or just start in the middle and work from the bottom up?
            I personally.. would start broad.. but I would seek out those little pockets of low competition and see what is actually there say "reinforced concrete construction details" or "reinforced concrete definition" or even "reinforced concrete construction process"

            Just need to do your research, and draw in little by little decent targets, and carry that across to other topics that give the end user something to grab onto, to think about... send them down the path to a close
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Originally Posted by NobleSavage View Post


    I normally go for brandable domains instead of key words. Again, the consensus is that Google is de-emphasize key word domains. So why are all the crack head domainers still charging so much for SuperMicroNiche.com? I guess that is a rhetorical question. They charge what they can get.
    Because the crack head domainers still understand exact match domain names carry weight. Yes, some power has been de-emphasized, but they still carry quite a bit of weight in comparison.
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  • Profile picture of the author katherineolga
    I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. I noticed that some of the Google search results (from me searching for things online) aren't entirely accurate anymore. I'm sure Google has noticed and is taking action. I hope - it's very frustrating. I needed information about one thing, and got info on another. My keywords were really specific.

    Google seems to be trying to move away from small niche sites and targeted, niche information. However, if these inaccurate search results are any indication, this isn't really working for people. I think the ultimate reality is somewhere between the two.

    What does this mean for my sites, personally? Nothing. I've chosen topics I really enjoy and I am even passionate about so I'll build the sites slowly over time. I'll stop working on them when they feel "done" to me. Usually this happens when I have 200 pieces of high quality, well-written content for my niche.
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  • Profile picture of the author kibebe7
    I think the future of SEO is quality and not quantity. I have been finding success with longer posts with the new Google algorithms. I have also decided to avoid the micro sites and I am now working on building larger niche websites that I can use with my affiliate marketing. Even with paid advertising, I have found that the larger sites gain more confidence with visitors. Well, I hope my strategy pans out...
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  • Profile picture of the author nicoli
    If you are in a micro niche with almost no competition then you don't need to really worry about ranking with a small site. You simply won't have much to compete with.

    Any decent competition, however, will require a decent site with a considerable amount of good content on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lightlysalted
    Content is king. period. a minimum of 100 pages of content. Well written, detailed. Even if you have to invest in quality articles up front it's worth it.
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  • Profile picture of the author WordPressExpert
    Originally Posted by NobleSavage View Post

    I generally don't worry that much about SEO I just build good sites and it takes care of itself (I might give it a little push or do the usual social stuff). Anyhow, the general consensuses seems to be that Google is tired of super micro niche sites with little content. With all other things being equal what would you guess to be the smallest size in terms of content that would be good?

    I normally go for brandable domains instead of key words. Again, the consensus is that Google is de-emphasize key word domains. So why are all the crack head domainers still charging so much for SuperMicroNiche.com? I guess that is a rhetorical question. They charge what they can get.
    I wouldn't worry too much about the smallest size in terms of content. Just focus on quality of content and the value you are providing to the readers. Make sure the content is unique and follows basic SEO guidelines.

    I am not sure if Google has started de-emphasizing key word domains yet. But I hope it happens soon
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    • Profile picture of the author nicoli
      Originally Posted by WordPressExpert View Post


      I am not sure if Google has started de-emphasizing key word domains yet. But I hope it happens soon
      They did a long time ago with the EMD algos but they still do and always will, carry some weight. Just nowhere near as much as they used to.
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      • Profile picture of the author WordPressExpert
        Originally Posted by nicoli View Post

        They did a long time ago with the EMD algos but they still do and always will, carry some weight. Just nowhere near as much as they used to.
        I still see a lot of websites on the first page with keyword domains. But like you said, the EMD update might have resolved the issue to some extent
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      Originally Posted by WordPressExpert View Post

      I wouldn't worry too much about the smallest size in terms of content. Just focus on quality of content and the value you are providing to the readers. Make sure the content is unique and follows basic SEO guidelines.

      I am not sure if Google has started de-emphasizing key word domains yet. But I hope it happens soon
      I think it needs to be understood what "Quality" is. Better yet, how is it determined? I believe Google uses two basic factors. Time on page, and Total Pages Viewed to determine if content is of good quality. quality content is not determined on a page by page basis, it is the collection of the whole that is what is determined.

      Part of the issue that I see here is not understanding some basic concepts of end user behavior. if a end user searches "Concrete Construction" and we will say for the sake of discussion you have a page that focuses on "House Construction". you have a page on your "House Construction" site that talks about concrete construction. all of the other content on your page is probably not going to be of interest to someone looking up "Concrete Construction". THIS is where bounce rate comes into play.

      The end user is looking for SPECIFIC information, and all of the links off the page that you provide that specific information, goto non specific topics. THIS is where cross linking and comes into play. Pagination is one thing, and the most recent post is another. But, giving links at the bottom of an article to like topic content is the KEY. Content maybe king.. I get it.. but CONTEXT is a more valuable tool to learn to use.

      In regards to de-emphasizing key word domains, it simply is not going to happen. and here is why: look at a listing in the Google SERP's. there are 3 elements. there is the URL ( notice I didn't say domain name ) there is the Page Title, and lastly is the text on the page.

      All I can say is stop fighting the system, and really start looking at it for what it is, and start working within in it. I just laid out the 3 most important factors to getting your pages listed. and the paragraph above that I laid out how to make your content appear as "quality" in the eyes of Google. the rest is up to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author SEO Power
    Most of my sites are 10 to 20 pages large and they still rank well, although it takes longer these days. Number of pages doesn't solely determine where a website would rank. It is just one out of many factors, but it is definitely being factored into the algorithm.
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      this whole thing about keyword domains is kind of funny. its not the domain that Google looks at it is the URL. so www. seo-insert-city .com is no different than www. brand .com / seo-insert-city

      There are actually some studies that show that the later gives you far more control and better results overall. worry less about the domain, and worry more about the URL overall and you are headed in the right direction.

      What you have to watch for in keyword loaded domain names is the page names of your content. in the example given here "concrete construction" if you had concreteconstruction .com and then had an article titled "concrete construction" you would have a URL structure something like www. concreteconstruction .com /concrete-construction. just looking at it in this manor you can see the potential for keyword stuffing.

      So if you are using say wordpress as your page builder and had a branded domain, you can use the page titles as your keyword targeting, and not have to worry about doubling up the keywords. IF you have a keyword based domain, you have to pay attention to what is going on in your URL and go back and rename or change the URL of an article to stay away from the stuffing factor.

      For the sake of SEO, and more so for the sake of ease of application, non keyword based domains is clearly the route to follow.

      And seriously don't take my word for it. look at your own sites. what pages are ranking and which ones are not. I will bet you find the pages that are not keyword doubled in the URL rank better.

      SEO isn't rocket science, but it is science!
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      Originally Posted by SEO Power View Post

      Most of my sites are 10 to 20 pages large and they still rank well, although it takes longer these days. Number of pages doesn't solely determine where a website would rank. It is just one out of many factors, but it is definitely being factored into the algorithm.
      Longer? how? if you are not ranking in days or just short of weeks - that is a clear indication of "issues". I seriously don't care what anyone says here. SEO is not a long drawn out process, it can be just short of instant IF you know what you are doing.

      ANYONE that has a wordpress site. GET FEEDBURNER on your site. Feedburner ( a google product ) INSTANTLY sets in motion the addition of new content into googles listings. Basically you are raising your hand to the google bot and saying "scan me next please!"

      Again, using google to all of its advantages get a G+ account. in term of content... feedburner passes new content right to G+. As in you don't have to do anything. as in your are setting up an automatic google submission system.

      Work smarter not harder!
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