Authority site v micro niche site?

by Vulk
19 replies
I've been doing KW research in the niche I have a passion in and I had a quick question. For the sake of this thread we'll use 'shoes' for my niche.

Now, I could go ahead and create a nice micro niche site..you know..write some articles, backlinks, blabla and purchase best shoes for [activity].com and BAM micro niche site.

But
what if I went ahead and purchased the domain bestshoesfor.com and found all the best long tail keywords so it would appear as bestshoesfor.com/best-shoes-for-xyz on the SERPS. Of course apply a unique on page seo for each page, basically treat each page as it's own. I know this would take a lot of time and effort but I like to think of it as in investment for the future.

Good idea or not?

Thanks.

P.S my niche isn't shoes.
P.P.S I've already came up with the keywords, domain name and everything but I just need an opinion from people
#authority #micro #niche #site
  • Profile picture of the author Seemore25101
    From what I've been reading, authority sites are the way to go and that's what I'm going to be looking into doing.

    But I do have success with my micro niche sites also. Competition is very low for my niche and I know there is a demand. Take competition and demand into consideration and also if it's a niche you can build authority in?

    My niche is very small so there's not much more to my niche as it is but if I could built it into more authority, I would.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014381].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Vulk
      Originally Posted by Seemore25101 View Post

      From what I've been reading, authority sites are the way to go and that's what I'm going to be looking into doing.

      But I do have success with my micro niche sites also. Competition is very low for my niche and I know there is a demand. Take competition and demand into consideration and also if it's a niche you can build authority in?

      My niche is very small so there's not much more to my niche as it is but if I could built it into more authority, I would.
      As far as competition goes, according to Google keyword tool most of the keywords I'll be ranking for have an average of 2k-800 local searches, I'm still playing around with keywords until I find the right wording.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014391].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Vulk
        Originally Posted by Vulk View Post

        As far as competition goes, according to Google keyword tool most of the keywords I'll be ranking for have an average of 2k-800 local searches, I'm still playing around with keywords until I find the right wording.
        Update: Found the "goldmine" what was 2k-800 just turned into 10k-2k lot's of wiggle room here. I'm excited already.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014410].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    Well, if you truly have passion in that niche, why don't you go ahead and just build that mega authority site?
    Signature

    Call Center Fuel - High Volume Data
    Delivering the highest quality leads in virtually all consumer verticals.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014386].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MartinPlatt
    Well, if there are buyers in that group, then that could work.

    I was going to say that micro niche sites aren't as effective, but what you're suggesting is more an authority style site, which I think will have a lot better chance at doing well and lasting.

    The only consideration there is whether the people searching for 'the best shoes for xxx' are also interested in buying.

    The other challenge is that this doesn't want to look like a highly keyword optimised sales site, it should be useful information, so whilst those keywords might be good, don't go overboard with them. You site as a whole will then rank nicely.

    I think the merit here is that if you're someone searching for the best shoes for one activity, and there's another activity that you're also considering, there could be an overlap, and that could be useful to that person to know that.

    Just go get it, and give it a blast, tell us how you get on

    Good luck!
    Signature

    Martin Platt
    martin-platt.com

    Stuck with earning commissions online? Get this get this uncensored affiliate marketing guide for free (sold as coaching for $4,997)

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014390].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Vulk
      Originally Posted by MartinPlatt View Post

      Well, if there are buyers in that group, then that could work.

      I was going to say that micro niche sites aren't as effective, but what you're suggesting is more an authority style site, which I think will have a lot better chance at doing well and lasting.

      The only consideration there is whether the people searching for 'the best shoes for xxx' are also interested in buying.

      The other challenge is that this doesn't want to look like a highly keyword optimised sales site, it should be useful information, so whilst those keywords might be good, don't go overboard with them. You site as a whole will then rank nicely.

      I think the merit here is that if you're someone searching for the best shoes for one activity, and there's another activity that you're also considering, there could be an overlap, and that could be useful to that person to know that.

      Just go get it, and give it a blast, tell us how you get on

      Good luck!
      Yeah you're 100% right. Possibilities are endless.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014400].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Originally Posted by Vulk View Post

    Now, I could go ahead and create a nice micro niche site..you know..write some articles, backlinks, blabla and purchase best shoes for [activity].com and BAM micro niche site.
    Then what?
    Originally Posted by Vulk View Post

    But what if I went ahead and purchased the domain bestshoesfor.com and found all the best long tail keywords so it would appear as bestshoesfor.com/best-shoes-for-xyz on the SERPS.
    You don't build out authority websites based around exact match domains chasing silly keywords and page names.

    Originally Posted by Vulk View Post

    ....this would take a lot of time and effort but I like to think of it as in investment for the future.
    This is the only thing that you said that makes sense.

    An authority site is about ...

    1. Building authority
    2. Demonstrating expertise
    3. Putting readership before algorithms
    4. Building your site for people
    5. Working your arse off
    6. Thinking long term
    7. Building an audience
    8. User experience
    9. Value adding
    10. Avoiding silly tricks and gimmicks.
    Signature

    BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014411].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author vtotheyouknow
      Originally Posted by John Romaine View Post

      You don't build out authority websites based around exact match domains chasing silly keywords and page names.
      Who's 'you'?

      Did you see Spencer's post over at NichePursuits.com today?

      He hit #1 for his survival knife website based on good keyword research, by providing highly valuable content that solves a problem and fills a need people are actively searching for, and ranked it with some modest SEO and backlinking.

      He monetized it with Amazon Associates and made several hundred already with a basically new site. And it's on track to become an Authority site. I've done the same and so have many Warriors.

      So what's wrong with that? ;-)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014639].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
        Originally Posted by vtotheyouknow View Post



        Who's 'you'?

        Did you see Spencer's post over at NichePursuits.com today?

        He hit #1 for his survival knife website based on good keyword research, by providing highly valuable content that solves a problem and fills a need people are actively searching for, and ranked it with some modest SEO and backlinking.

        He monetized it with Amazon Associates and made several hundred already with a basically new site. And it's on track to become an Authority site. I've done the same and so have many Warriors.

        So what's wrong with that? ;-)
        Your example is NOT an authority site.

        Infact, he even refers to it as a "niche" site.

        Ive built numerous authority sites since 2004, that have over 25,000-30,000 members and over a quarter of a million pages (and upwards) indexed in Google that run database backends with complex scripts and payment systems.

        Those things are "authority sites".

        They also get the vast majority of their traffic through "direct type ins", not because they ranked for one keyword.
        Signature

        BS free SEO services, training and advice - SEO Point

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8024357].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Bri777
          I agree that you want to create content continuously and seo optimize it. Won't hurt and will only benefit you in the end.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8024370].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author johnorc
            Advantages of Authority Sites:
            Less dependent on organic search traffic than niche sites
            Tend to outrank niche sites on search engines
            Many different ways to earn money (affiliate selling, AdSense, private ads, etc.)
            Well-suited for listbuilding
            Social media integrates well
            Authority and brand recognition can carry over to the real world
            Usually has a higher return on investment
            Relatively easy to maintain interest in (if chosen topic matches your personal interests)

            Advantages of Niche Sites:
            Inexpensive to manage, whereas outsourcing or writing content for authority sites can be expensive
            Many can be made per day, whereas authority sites can take years to build
            With experience, the creation process becomes nearly automatic
            Easier to outsource tasks than for authority sites
            Much faster return on investment than authority sites, with earnings after a month or two
            Can be sold on Flippa relatively quickly
            Can be expanded into authority sites if successful
            In the amount of time it takes to build one authority site, you can diversify with 100 niche sites

            The verdict?
            Both authority sites and niche sites are popular, profitable models right now. Since they both serve different needs, neither is likely to disappear any time soon.

            That said, many Internet marketing professionals have predicted that the smallest micro-niche sites, with only a page or two of content targeted toward just one product and a generic layout, will be dying out. Larger niche sites that cover several related products can fulfil the same role, but with more content, which is what Google seems to want.

            My personal opinion?
            Personally, my money is on authority sites, which is why I put a lot of effort into putting content on my own website, RamonaGoekeLive.co. I see it as a resource for Internet marketing tips, how to make money online, MLM, and other related topics. Since I enjoy Internet marketing and the lifestyle it has brought me, I'm motivated to keep working on it.

            However, if you can get that motivated about niche sites, more power to you. The Internet marketing industry is a big place and there is plenty of room for all of us.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8025534].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author marco005
              Hi,

              to make good money as affiliate with an authority site (minimum 20 pages), so I understand this that such type of sites not have product reviews, they have more informacional style written content and in them within or at the buttom, they put the affiliate/ amazon link in it to a similiar helping product, a product who solves the problem /gives the benefits and so on....
              informacional written article who has the product within the title to get easy ranking.


              Is that right?
              Or is it better to have only product reviews on an affiliate authority site?

              best wishes
              marco005
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8109457].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    If you want to FUTURE PROOF your project, go with an authority site. It takes more effort but at least your business will still be around after a year or two.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014761].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LuckyIMer
    Originally Posted by Vulk View Post

    I've been doing KW research in the niche I have a passion in and I had a quick question. For the sake of this thread we'll use 'shoes' for my niche.

    Now, I could go ahead and create a nice micro niche site..you know..write some articles, backlinks, blabla and purchase best shoes for [activity].com and BAM micro niche site.

    But
    what if I went ahead and purchased the domain bestshoesfor.com and found all the best long tail keywords so it would appear as bestshoesfor.com/best-shoes-for-xyz on the SERPS. Of course apply a unique on page seo for each page, basically treat each page as it's own. I know this would take a lot of time and effort but I like to think of it as in investment for the future.

    Good idea or not?

    Thanks.

    P.S my niche isn't shoes.
    P.P.S I've already came up with the keywords, domain name and everything but I just need an opinion from people
    This looks very much alike any review site. Review sites work so don`t worry about it, do it if you have believe it will work.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014828].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mahol
    Its a good idea brother, and dont fear for any EXACT MATCH GOOGLE UPDATE. they dont exists.
    just setup your microniche site do your SEO safely and make money
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8014956].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author itchydog
      They both have their advantages and disadvantages. If you are passionate about the subject and would enjoy writing about it extensively, I would go with an authority site.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8015096].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author jbyte
        I have been doing things a little different since last year. I had been creating the 5 post niche sites for years.
        Now I am doing the same but creating 20 articles, seeing how they rank and what income comes after a few months. Then I will either continue generating articles, or develop an ebook, list, etc if the site responds well.
        Or hold on for a year if not and when the domain renewal comes up I will look again.

        I still believe in niche sites, but a sort of evolution of it.
        Signature

        I fix WordPress problems, PM me if you need help

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8015115].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author IMPromocoder
    The beauty in internet marketing is that there isn't a right way or a wrong way. People discover methods that work for them but not for others, not to mention new methods to drive traffic and sales pop every day. As for the right path whether is is micro niche sites or authority sites, it's totally up to you and how well you are familiar with yourself. Do you have the patience to create tens of micro sites, making a small income of each or you want to invest all your efforts in one large authority site. Pros and cons for each. Risky to put all your eggs in one basket, but then again the potential gain is also higher.
    Take Spencer from nichepersuits.com, as mentioned above, he's all passionate about building tens and hundreds of micro niche sites, and he's making a (nice) living of it, though I still think his main site is an authority site.
    Personally, I think that if you're passionate about a topic, and the niche is not a super competitive, go for authority. If you're not passionate or the niche is super hard, go for micro sites.

    Hope it helps.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8015146].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author kary yucef
    authority site is the best option for you
    Signature
    "If you think education is expensive - consider the cost of ignorance."
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8015505].message }}

Trending Topics