Niche, Micro-niche & Authority Sites: The Difference
Hi, everyone!
I know this can all be confusing at first. Maybe this post will help.
What's The Difference Between A Domain And A Sub-domain?
domain examples:
DentalCareForHuskies. com (niche site): or
AllThingsLabradorRetriever. com (authority site): or
AllThingsDog. com (gargantuan authority site - You'd need a HUGE staff for this.)
sub-domain examples:
DentalCareForHuskies. siterubix. com: or
AllThingsLabradorRetriever. siterubix. com: or
AllThingsDog. siterubix. com
I think a lot of people will agree with me, that a domain carries more authority than a sub-domain.
However, there's no reason you can't start with a SiteRubix sub-domain, then transfer it to your own domain when you're ready. It's free to do and Site Support will help you.
Note: As of this writing, the experts still agree a .com domain is the best kind to choose.
You can use a .net, .org or other domain instead, but why not give yourself every advantage you can?
What's The Difference Between Niche, Micro-niche And Authority Sites?
niche site: a website that focuses on one niche and the sub-niches and micro-niches related directly to the niche, such as...
(niche) safe and sporty fashions for adult huskies
(sub-niches) collars, boots, coats, costumes
(micro-niche) the safest and most comfortable collars
(niche) health care for elderly huskies
(sub-niches) arthritis/joint pain, dental care
(micro-niche) the safest and most effective natural home remedies for joint pain
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
micro-niche site: a website that focuses only on one micro-niche, such as...
(micro-niche) the safest and most comfortable collars for adult huskies
(micro-niche) the safest and most effective natural home remedies for joint pain in elderly huskies
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
authority site: combines all related niches, sub-niches and micro-niches on the same site.
Here's an example and a break-down of just one related niche:
(authority site) AllAboutAdultHuskies. com
(niche) health
(sub-niche) emergency care
(sub-sub-niche) poisoning
(micro-niches) poisoned by chemical, poisoned by human food, poisoned by plant, poisoned by unknown
You could go on and on adding niches, sub-niches and micro-niches to an authority site. In fact, you'd need to.
As someone who's been working on an authority site for a long time, I can tell you - it's easy to get overwhelmed when you're dealing with that volume of information.
Kyle and Carson recommend we start with a niche site for good reason: it's not nearly as overwhelming as an authority site!
Jay (Magistudios) is WA's much-loved live webinar host. He has a very successful micro-niche site you can look at, if you'd like to see an actual example of what one looks like: https://footballsnackhelmets.c...
Originally posted: March, 31, 2017
Edited March, 31, 2017 to add: Except for Jay's, I made up all the domain & sub-domain names. If any actually exist, don't expect them to be as I've outlined here, since I made up all the details too. ;)
Edited October 27, 2017: re-worked the entire post, to make it easier to understand
Edited Nov 5, 2017: took out a potentially confusing bit
Recent Comments
15
An informative and detailed explanation of all three and their differences. Thank you, Sharon. :)
...
Sat, Oct 28, 2017
Thank you, Sue!
I know you're awfully busy with your three sites and building a full-time affiliate business. Taking time away from that to pay me a compliment is awfully kind of you.
I appreciate it very much!
Sharon
Never too busy to learn something new and give a fellow WA member the kudos they deserve. :)
...
Sat, Oct 28, 2017
It's exactly that: "and give a fellow WA member the kudos they deserve" part that makes you stand out as such a great WA member.
Thanks again, Sue!
...
Sat, Oct 28, 2017
Hi, Randy.
Thanks! I'm so pleased by the reactions I'm getting!
So far, everyone who's commented feels it's easy to understand.
I hope some new members see it and will give me some input. I'm still not convinced it won't be confusing for them.
Sharon
Concise and precise. Excellent information!
Thanks for clarifying this little bit of confusion, Sharon.
...
Fri, Oct 27, 2017
Thank you Mark!
Do you think it's easy enough to understand?
I worry I might have left too much information in the break-downs.
What do you think?
Sharon
I didn't read your original post, but this post is organized and easy to follow.
Great job!
...
Nice! Thank you!
The original was pretty messy. You didn't miss anything by not reading it. :)
That is well thought out, Sharon and a really good resource post, thank you for the reminders something to share for sure.
...
Fri, Oct 27, 2017
Thank you Alex!
The way it was before, was too wordy and confusing. This version is a vast improvement, but I'm not sure if it still might not be confusing.
Hopefully, if someone doesn't understand, they'll ask for clarification and I can fine-tune it a bit.
Sharon
See more comments
A nice, clear and informative post that should help a lot of people to understand the differences.
Sun, Jan 21, 2018
Thank you, Heather!
Sharon