Don't Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
I once spent all summer developing a destination website with around 200 pages.
The biggest risk about taking on a big project is that if your idea isn't great, you can waste an incredible amount of time and effort on something that doesn't take off.
In this case, I had accidently set up my website to directly compete with the big boys in town, including all the hotel booking engines. My website's keywords were super competitive, and my content wasn't original or opinionated. There were dozens of professional websites doing a better job of what I had tried to do.
Lesson learnt.
These days, when I develop a new website I have a strict criteria of having the website up and running with around 20-30 pages max. This involves starting off with a super-targeted niche, but I also try and allow myself clear avenues for growth if I hit on a great idea (good ideas aren't good enough, they need to be great).
So start small, get yourself up and running within a week or two and then look to expand from there.
Has anyone else bitten off more than they can chew? Maybe you gave up on it in time once you realised the monstrosity you were trying to create, unlike stubborn old me! :)
All the best,
Tom.
Recent Comments
2
Thank you for sharing your experience. Great lesson learned and that took courage. I have never bitten off something more than I can chew, but I can only imagine the monstrosity and the feelings going on.
Have you figured out yet what the process is in deciding what is a great niche idea? Let me know I'm curious to know.
Thanks again for sharing!
Hi Des, I compile a shortlist of ideas using these 3 points:
1. Something I am happy to write 30 pages on. This is actually quite broad and I certainly don't limit myself to things I enjoy doing in the real world.
2. Products that either sell for more than $1000 or are recurring subscriptions, and that don't have complications during the purchasing process like expensive shipping or tricky installation. I figure if I get a sale I want to get paid good commissions for it. I prefer subscriptions over single sales as they recurring income can be reinvested into AdWords.
3. Things that require a bit of research and advice.
I find points 2 and 3 work well together, as people tend to go looking for advice before spending lots of money.
From my short list, I will then pick my next idea based on keyword research.
I hope that helps somewhat! :)