With the recession, just how profitable is a car site?
Discussion
With the recession in full flow and deemed to get worse, and all the news about car companies in trouble, just how profitable is a car site?
How profitable is PH? I ask as I intend on making some sort of car site (not similar to PH). Could a car site be as popular/profitable as Youtube, Facebook etc? The only problem I see is that a car site is a niche (though a car is a need and much of the population has one or more), but a site like this only applies to a motoring enthusiast, which not all of the population is. Facebook seems to be applicable to much more of the population as it wouldn't require a strong interest in anything.
How profitable is PH? I ask as I intend on making some sort of car site (not similar to PH). Could a car site be as popular/profitable as Youtube, Facebook etc? The only problem I see is that a car site is a niche (though a car is a need and much of the population has one or more), but a site like this only applies to a motoring enthusiast, which not all of the population is. Facebook seems to be applicable to much more of the population as it wouldn't require a strong interest in anything.
The success and profitability of any site is surely down to advert revenue and traffic numbers?
The majority of the internet is free to use so the recession is not going to impact people viewing your site whether it is about cars or butter. In fact people might even be browsing the internet more in their leisure time as a secondary impact of staying in more.
PH made a killing in the car niche because there was little else like it and imagine is still profitable for Haymarket now due to the high level of traffic.
Just because you are picking a niche market doesn't mean limited success, just need to focus on having quality content and some decent management.
What angle of car site where you thinking of?
The majority of the internet is free to use so the recession is not going to impact people viewing your site whether it is about cars or butter. In fact people might even be browsing the internet more in their leisure time as a secondary impact of staying in more.
PH made a killing in the car niche because there was little else like it and imagine is still profitable for Haymarket now due to the high level of traffic.
Just because you are picking a niche market doesn't mean limited success, just need to focus on having quality content and some decent management.
What angle of car site where you thinking of?
ianash said:
I've seen newspaper reports that they are finding it quite difficult to monetise facebook.
Indeed. There is a difference between PH and Facebook.Edited by ianash on Wednesday 29th April 13:49
On PH it was clear from the start it was a free site paid for by little ads in the corner. Thats OK with everyone.
On Facebook they made it clear it was a free networking site where you are asked to share your personal details for your friends benefit.
Now they are using that data to be collected about you, their terms state that this content is now theirs, and are selling it for advertising.
Popularity and profitability work if you are honest from the start and don't misplace your viewers trust.
I want to make a site which is content orientated, but I also want to make a site which combines my passion for cars and programming (personal interest and professional skill).
Of course, cars aren't my only interest so whatever I choose to make might not even be car related (could be related to music, etc). I just want to make something which pushes my professional skills (like my job does), but not a community orientated site as that will take time to build up.
A content orientated site is slightly easier as I can use 3rd party provders to get all the content I need (though the ideal site isa mix of both as communities and content can be a very powerful mix).
The above points are very valid, especially people having free time. Even though someone on here sells their car, they don't sell their interest and still post. In fact, all the venting about the recession and issues in the world help make this site more busy.
Of course, cars aren't my only interest so whatever I choose to make might not even be car related (could be related to music, etc). I just want to make something which pushes my professional skills (like my job does), but not a community orientated site as that will take time to build up.
A content orientated site is slightly easier as I can use 3rd party provders to get all the content I need (though the ideal site isa mix of both as communities and content can be a very powerful mix).
The above points are very valid, especially people having free time. Even though someone on here sells their car, they don't sell their interest and still post. In fact, all the venting about the recession and issues in the world help make this site more busy.
Plotloss said:
If you're merely a news/content aggregator with no community and no unique content why would anyone use you over say an RSS client?
Very difficult to derive any revenue whatsoever from a web property with no readers.
A good point.Very difficult to derive any revenue whatsoever from a web property with no readers.
The whole reason PH (as an example) is as big as it is was mainly for the community aspect. The news/front page area is certainly not a reason people visit the site and the editorial side of things has never been a strong point at all. If I were wanting to get up to date news on cars (or indeed anything) I would go directly to a well known stream with proper editorial background rather then a small site streaming other sites news. Obviously Facebook is all about community and interactivity too.
What are your thoughts on giving your site a particular 'spin' or USP? What would you use to differentiate your potential site and bring an audience in?
Edited by HeavySoul on Wednesday 29th April 16:08
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