One Website Or Many?
Hey WAers. Today is a quick one but I wanted to steal an idea from a blog post I read recently and see what the thoughts on it were within this forum. The blog post I read was discussing whether you should build one big website or a number of smaller ones in order to make money online.
Why did it stand out to me?
So first up, I wanted to give some context on why this one jumped out at me. You see I had two websites.
The first is in the make money online niche (where I promote WA) and it is around 3 years old. I attracts roughly 10k views per month and between WA commissions and advertising makes around $200 - $300 per month.
The second is an outdoors/fishing site that is around 2 years old, also attracts around 10k per month and makes round $700 - $900 per month on commissions and ads.
Why am I telling you all this?
I am telling you this to put into context the blog post that I am referring to. The question it asked was:
Say you have 1 or 2 sites as per above (more or less). To increase your income should you:
a) keep working on your current site/s in order to grow traffic and hence affiliate commissions and advertising revenue.
b) buy/create another site with the idea that three sites will earn more than two in the long run.
So what did I do?
Weelllll, I bought a third site - focused on Travel. I am building it in the exact same fashion as my fishing site in that it has tips with supporting buying guides.
It is only in its first month and has had 4 views - YAY!
What did the post say?
So, the post that I referred to above listed all of the pros and cons of each options but basically said that if you have three sites as opposed to one, you are risking diluting your work down by the amount of websites you have.
So if I write 2 posts on each site in a week, the argument could be that you would be better off writing 6 posts on one site and growing it a lot faster meaning more traffic and commissions on that site in a lesser amount of time.
On the other hand, in 12 months time, I might have a third site making money as well as having grown the first two.
What have I found?
To be honest, for me the jury is still out here. I have definitely noticed the extra work in things that I didn't consider such as setting up analytics, social media, research and so on.
I guess I will let you know in 12 months whether I made the right decision or not.
What have you done?
I would love to hear from you as to what you have done in this space. Did you just grow one, or did you start more? Let me know below.
Until then
Have fun
Paul
Recent Comments
20
Hi Paul.
I'm still new here, but my strategy is definitely utilizing multiple websites.
This first one I've started will be my main one, and I'm a little wider in niche than recommended. I accept it will be slower going building that brand.
I bought an AI writer lifetime membership, and will be using it to aid me in creating outlines to make the writing quicker and on point as it analyzes other websites and can help find holes when aided by Jaaxy.
Once I have a good start on the main site, I'm going to start multiple smaller niche sites as recommended here. each one compatible with my larger site. On those sites, I'll be pushing my main site for email subscribers and traffic, while also monetizing them.
My goal with those sites longer term (1-2 years) is to build enough traffic and revenue to flip them, one of the not as often discussed ways to make money from blogging.
I see reports of blogs being flipped for 10-25x their monthly income. I would love to reach a point where I could create a new blog every month so once they mature to a point worth selling (1-2 years) I could theoretically sell one website a month while maturing and growing my main site.
I also understand that as things grow, I'll need to consider using writers to help on my non main site, perhaps allowing some guest posts to help (which can also be a form of revenue if one doesn't sacrifice quality) and perhaps hiring a VA.
I look forward to reading your updates over the next year, and any tips you may share that will make it easier for those with a similar strategy following behind you.
Thanks Jason
I have a writer for one of my sites which greatly reduces my work time per post.
And yes, there is definite money to be made flipping sites as well.
Paul
Hello Paul,
I think you are progressing excellently with the decision to do two websites, and now a third. You seem to be attaining the number of views.
In my opinion, having multiple sites can keep the curiosity flowing for several topics. However in some perspectives maybe could risk falling short of keeping up to date on each one.
I am growing one site and just recently started work on another, but honestly, my mojo for topics has been limited to a lack of research.
Keep up the great work, your blog is an inspiration.
Kind regards
Erica
Yeah that is a very valid point Erica - I hadn't realised till I read your comments how nice it is to swap between subjects.
Thanks for your comments
Paul
Hi guys.
Thanks for the introduction.
Cherry Red 20
Oh my goodness.
Does she know how to "Anchor?"
You guys keep a smile where it belongs.
Thank you.
Paul from Canada.
It would be fine to write 2 posts per site rather than 6 on one as you are then neglecting the other two.
As you already know it takes time to build some authority for any new site by doing 2 per site you are keeping the momentum growing for all sites with regular posting.
As I said two per week per site is perfectly fine if you are able to do some on a regular basis, especially for the first few months.
This will let search engines such as Google know you are serious with your site and not one of those fly-by-nighters.
Just note that each piece of content needs to add value and answer what your viewers coming to your site as seeking.
So if you can build constancy go for it and try not to neglect the other sites.
Wishing you well
Andre
See more comments
I think the most important question to ask here is are you doing this full-time or part time due to still having a full-time job?
If you having to juggle a full-time job then I will focus on one website as otherwise your attention will be too divided to make a success with any of the two sites in an acceptable time-frame.
Even when doing online marketing full-time I will probably follow this approach. Two sites I think is acceptable.
The thing is it is simply a fact that Google wants to see content created on a consistent basis in order for you to get traction from Google. This is true with blogging and true with YouTube.
This is my biggest problem currently as I still have a full-time job and just not enough time in the day to focus on more than one website, including the social media etc. that also needs attention. However I am running two websites at the same time, which leads to my attention being too divided.
However I have shifted my focus for now to one website only while maintaining the other. Luckily for me the website that does not enjoy much attention atm is a very niche website and naturally ranks very well and brings in money on autopilot as a result and don't need much attention.
Wishing you the very best of success with whichever strategy you choose and many congratulations on already having success!
In the end, whatever works for you :)
Best wishes!
Schalk
Ps. The other question to consider. Are you only doing blogging or is YouTube video creation part of your marketing strategy? If it is then that is yet another aspect that is going to require input/time and should be considered.
Absolutely - the full time v part time thing is definitely an influence as well.
And of course video. I have two channels - one with 950 subs and the other with 35 - they are a great area of income - especially via sites such as Ezoic. And that is where my growth suffers as I really don't do as much there as I should - that is a great point.
Thanks for taking the time to comment
Paul
Hi
Can you in short describe for me how you use Ezoic to generate income via video channels? I am just making sure I am not missing a trick here?
I know you need a 1000 subs to monetize your YouTube channel via Google Adsense but now you making me wonder if somehow via Ezoic you can monetize your YouTube channels before reaching a 1000 subs?
I doubt it - so if you could please clarify what you mean here it will be much appreciated. :)