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Offline Rent-a-Site Marketers - Lease By Page or Not?

by Stranger Danger
8 replies
For those of you that are leasing out virtual real estate to local businesses, would you recommend developing a broad-range domain (e.g. homepage serving as a directory of professionals for a given city with sub-pages being leased out to local, individual niches/businesses), or would you recommend leasing out an entire website for each and every business/client? Why?

For clarity, directory type with multiple clients/businesses sharing one domain:

www,dallas-professionals,com with sub-pages as follows:

www,dallas-professionals,com/plumberdallastx
www,dallas-professionals,com/poolrepairdallastx

etc.

The upside to having individual websites is that you can laser focus your content for relativity and you can sell your site, outright, should you choose to do so. You can also grab an exact-match domain for keyword targeting/SEO. However, you will have to purchase multiple domains and you are likely to do more work/maintenance in the long run. You will also not get the benefits of having a fuller, authoritative site with lots of inner-linking. You will also lose more in the event that you are unable to lease that property.

I'm leaning towards more authoritative sites with a directory-style domain that targets individual towns/cities.

What is the general consensus?

Thanks.
#lease #marketers #offline #page #rentasite
  • Profile picture of the author Rambo007
    I guess if you can rank that page quite high then it should be attractive to a client.

    But also, offering a "whole website" sounds even more attractive to a client then a mere page. Even though we both know they still still give the same results.
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  • Profile picture of the author Stranger Danger
    Since this is a directory-type website, I think it would have to be sold as such (a directory listing, not a website). If it were me, my only concern for my business would be the ROI.

    I was also thinking, that, instead of focusing on one city (with a diverse range of professions/fields), I could, instead, create a directory around a niche (with a diverse range of cities). This would combat some of the cons associated with directory-type websites. Also, it's going to be easier if I do not have to research so many niches - and, instead, familiarize myself with one, single field at a time.

    Thanks for your help.
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  • Profile picture of the author krikkod
    I think if you can set it up in a way that allows for businesses to get the leads they need then they wont mind sharing the online space with others, even if it may be their competition.

    PRO TIP: Always mention to them if they do not like the idea at any point, that they are sharing the website with so many other businesses, that you are more than happy to create an independent website for them - yes this is your upsell, and a big one at that.
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    • Profile picture of the author iInvent
      I'm also looking at this business model.
      I am considering doing several domains. I believe it would be more "attractive" to clients as it is more specific to their industry.

      But then again, haven't tested my plan yet...
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      Thanks for reading!

      Chantal
      "Before you try to satisfy the client, understand and satisfy the person."

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    • Profile picture of the author RobbieT
      Originally Posted by krikkod View Post

      I think if you can set it up in a way that allows for businesses to get the leads they need then they wont mind sharing the online space with others, even if it may be their competition.

      PRO TIP: Always mention to them if they do not like the idea at any point, that they are sharing the website with so many other businesses, that you are more than happy to create an independent website for them - yes this is your upsell, and a big one at that.
      The Directory type site seems like a good idea, but the only way you are going to know is give it a try.

      Your expenses won't be high (using sub directories) and I think you may be surprised by the result. It seems similar to the business ads directory in a local paper so you may need to keep the pricing low but use krikod's tip (above) to generate more income.

      Take good care of those that you love.

      Robbie T
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  • Profile picture of the author redcell1
    Originally Posted by Stranger Danger View Post

    For those of you that are leasing out virtual real estate to local businesses, would you recommend developing a broad-range domain (e.g. homepage serving as a directory of professionals for a given city with sub-pages being leased out to local, individual niches/businesses), or would you recommend leasing out an entire website for each and every business/client? Why?

    The upside to having individual websites is that you can laser focus your content for relativity and you can sell your site, outright, should you choose to do so. You can also grab an exact-match domain for keyword targeting/SEO. However, you will have to purchase multiple domains and you are likely to do more work/maintenance in the long run. You will also not get the benefits of having a fuller, authoritative site with lots of inner-linking. You will also lose more in the event that you are unable to lease that property.

    I'm leaning towards more authoritative sites with a directory-style domain that targets individual towns/cities.

    What is the general consensus?

    Thanks.
    Honestly it depends on your model. I would rather sell sites because I can charge more then just having them on a "page" on a directory. I can also brand the sites more easily as a "independent" brand. But hey that is just me.

    A directory type site would be good but I don't care as far as buying more domains,webhosting etc.
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    Just here to see the shenanigans.

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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    I would go with a directory site. Then you can charge 100's of clients up to $1,000 per listing like Findlaw and only have to manage one site.

    Also, you cant sell it unless you can get people to understand it. They understand the concept of being part of a local directory so you dont have to try so hard to explain, and you can sell more. Lots of social proof built in.

    Hint: Find a competing niche Directory (the top, most expensive one), and give the guys with number listings in it a listing for free...then you can tell all the other prospects "Hey , you may know___, he's on my site...".

    They all know who their top competitors are and you will have a shoe in because their peers are doing it.
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    • Profile picture of the author iInvent
      Originally Posted by John Durham View Post

      I would go with a directory site. Then you can charge 100's of clients up to $1,000 per listing like Findlaw and only have to manage one site.

      Also, you cant sell it unless you can get people to understand it. They understand the concept of being part of a local directory so you dont have to try so hard to explain, and you can sell more. Lots of social proof built in.

      Hint: Find a competing niche Directory (the top, most expensive one), and give the guys with number listings in it a listing for free...then you can tell all the other prospects "Hey , you may know___, he's on my site...".

      They all know who their top competitors are and you will have a shoe in because their peers are doing it.
      Appreciate the tips! Thank you!
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      Thanks for reading!

      Chantal
      "Before you try to satisfy the client, understand and satisfy the person."

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