G'day.

I've knocked up a new website, built on a blog platform and would appreciate some feedback on the business plan that goes with it.

The site is http://www.southimage.net/snowy-mountains-skiing/

I've been to Cooma, today, and picked up the winter accommodation guide for the ski resorts and off mountain accommodation. This should give me a couple of hundred addresses to approach.

Plan is:
*  Get articles, PRs, snow reports, sales pitches, stories and photos from accommodation and service providers.
*  Adsense revenue.
*  If I can get this up, charge for a post, page, ad, link.

Adsense seems to be targeting well, although I don't have any idea as to the value of a click.

What do you reckon a post would be worth if I can get the rankings and traffic.

This is the second snow season that I've tried to lock onto the ski industry. Last year's effort fell flat. I hope that the learning of the past year is of value in this venture.

On the site:

I'm having trouble getting my scrambled javascript e-mail address to appear in the posts and pages. Javascript will work in the top seperator bar and a couple of other places such as the Google ad boxes, but that's not really what I want. At this stage it looks like I might need to make a contact page by other html means and put it in the blog folder. Any sugestions?

Regards,
Laurie.

G'day Laurie -- IMO, your banner image doesn't reflect your skills that well; and I feel you should remove one of the Google ads at the top.

As for charging to post articles, that's up to you -- I've seen alot of sites that don't charge anything and require a link back to their site, or they don't charge over $1.00 ( U.S. currency ).

As for the javascript email -- why not get this free email form I use, as it works far better?  You can get it here

Well, G'day TA. Thanks.

I've got the e-mail form working. Ripper!

Removed the image ad box. Don't know why, but this box didn't target so well. Perhaps lack of image advertisers.

Maybe you over estimate my graphic skills, Mate. I thought I'd done about as well as I can. Are you refering to the small black text above and below the graphic? I put that in two extra bars to target the Google ads better. Works well!

Maybe I'll get rid of the e-mail link in the other bar and put those words in there.

Adsense isn't working real well for me to date. I'm still $13 short of my first cheque after all this time. Hoping to get some traffic and clicks from this niche. The SERPs competition isn't very high numerically, but I'll bet there are some well SEOed sites in there. It's a big dollar business.

I'm counting on the pingbacks giving me some backlinks for off page SEO. Is that how it works? I have 30 pingback URLs.

Regards,
Laurie.

So, how's that, TA?

I didn't have any skiing photos so had to settle for snow among the snowgums. At least they're snow photos. Perhaps that's what you were refering to.

I've put 29 images in the folder. They load randomly.

Regards,
Laurie.

No Sir -- I'm talking about your Header Banner text; would it look better if you saved it as a jpg instead of a gif?  If not, I may have another solution that I'll PM to you.

OK, PM me the alternative please.

The header image is a jpg. Background and text combined.

Regards,
Laurie.

Hey Laurie,

Just so i'm clear the idea is to setup a ski related site and monitize it using 1) adsense 2) charging advertisers  to rent ad space on your site...this correct?

If that is correct then that model has in fact worked for many people and is has proven that it can be successful

If thats the case can i ask why you chose the ski industry? Has this option been well researched?

In following the model above i would consider the following

1) choosing an area that generates a lot of cash for PPC- like "auto insurance" and work your $#@ off to try and pull in some traffic as there will be tons of competition

OR

2) or a niche term that still pays well but that you can be easily dominated in the SE's

what you definately want to avoid are terms that don't pay well and have tons of competition.


Bout your question: "What do you reckon a post would be worth if I can get the rankings and traffic." i think that will be a tough one to answer until you do get that traffic and rankings up. Have you contacted any similar established sites to see what they charge? That would be a good starting point.

just looking at your adsense setup- can u change the site and adsense backgrounds to match?

also see if you can get your adsense more targeted by using negative filtering and blocking certains ads.

lastly i would consider trying a half banner- it will show just 1 ad which normally performs better

Thanks Nic. You've given me a fair bit of good stuff to work through.

If thats the case can i ask why you chose the ski industry? Has this option been well researched?

Let's say reserched, rather than well reserched. I've done what I can about reserch with limited ability. The bid prices are OK, average. Competition is low. Search volume isn't too bad compared to search results. If I can get onto page 1, I'll get some traffic.

Why the ski industry? Well, apart from the above, it's close to home. I'm trying to get a few things up around here. I suspect that in general, we here in Australia are not as sophisticated as the folk you rub shoulders with, so locality is more important than the global comunity of the www.

Just so i'm clear the idea is to setup a ski related site and monitize it using 1) adsense 2) charging advertisers  to rent ad space on your site...this correct?

Yes, that's about it.

just looking at your adsense setup- can u change the site and adsense backgrounds to match?

Well, yes, I sure could do that. I've read about making the adsense look like it's a part of the site. I did that early on, and someone got up me because they clicked on an ad and went to another site. Can't win, huh?

So I try and make the adsense fit in with the site design, but make it obvious that it is a Google ad. That's why I've made the side bar and ads the same colour. Am I too straight forward for my own good?

what you definately want to avoid are terms that don't pay well and have tons of competition.

I'm targeting locality terms such as Snowy Mountains, the ski resort names and off-mountain accommodation towns. I'm counting on this better defining my search terms/keywords and also better targeting the adsense. What do you reckon?

Thanks,
Laurie.

Hmmmm.. Made for Adsense essentially? You know my thoughts....

To be honest, to charge anyone for posting.. as well as AS income.. is centric on one thing.. Traffic. So what is the plan to drive traffic to the site?

My question is - Whats with the odd no-follow links? On one page I looked at, you had a no-follow on tagged to your home page link? Some new strategy I'm not aware of??

Also have no-follow links on the 'read full story' links. Wouldn't you WANT google to follow that?

Laurie
I'd not use a blog - set up a real site - folks might get annoyed seeing their post slip off into what they consider to be obscurity.

Look at some of the accommodation affiliate providers - hotelclub and the about the be launched Roamfree. Then you get some $ per booking.

I think a well structured factual and useful site will serve you much better. You can still have ads, paid listings and adsense.

TheGypsy. Thanks.

So what is the plan to drive traffic to the site?

SERPs traffic. Any thoughts?

I'm expecting that the patterns of 1) search terms and 2) Adwords term targeting, will change dramatically over the comming weeks as we approach the ski season. 9 June is the official opening.

The best keywords seem to be the main ski resort names along with the services: "Thredbo accommodation" etc.

MrStitch. Thanks.

Some of this is a bit beyond me.

It's a WP theme that is claimed to be SEO friendly.

There are no follow on various things to prevent duplicate content filter problems. It allows spidering of the post and catagory versions, but not the archive version. Beyond that I'm out of my depth. I'd appreciate more help. If there is a no follow on a home page link, on the pages that are supposed to be spidered, then there is a problem with wide reaching effects.

I now have four blogs using this WP theme. I'm getting well indexed and often, although there is quite a bit of fluctuation. I expect that this will settle down in time.

matte. Thanks.

I'd not use a blog - set up a real site - folks might get annoyed seeing their post slip off into what they consider to be obscurity.

You make a good point. Although you and I know that the post is still there in the SERPs, doing it's job, "folks" don't understand that.

A blog has advantages in the ease of frequent updating and it's potential interactive nature.

I'm still wrestleing with your sugestions for my news paper about  comunity input and posting rights for contributors. Seems a good way to go.

How do you reckon it would go if I add a comprehensive navigation bar across the top, below the photos? Might need a drop down menu. Maybe an index page a bit like a sitemap.

Maybe the answer is to get the catagories box up to the top of the sidebar, as you've previously sugested.

To All: I'm trying very hard to get my head around this. I'm afraid I'm not much of a businessman. Your help is appreciated.

Regards,
Laurie.

WP eh?

I guess I'd be the last person to ask those questions to. I was just noticing the little pink bars popping up from my FF tool. Tells me if links are no-followed.

It does pose a question tho - If you're worried about duplicate content issues, then the only thing I can think of is if your opening 'clincher' paragraph is the very same paragraph in the article. If so, why not write something unique yourself for each one, then have the 'read more' fixed.

Dunno... I would consider double checking all this to make sure you have it correct.

Thanks MrStitch.

I've started looking into it. Gotta go out so won't get back to it till tomorrow afternoon.

All this stuff is set up in the theme. I didn't do it. It's supposed to be the bees knees. However, on the home page the links to the posts (read full article) are no followed, as you say. But the links to the catagory and recent posts versions are OK. For now, I'll assume that it's all part of the system and that the fella knows what he's doing.

It's a free development version, on the way to the comercial version. At this stage I have no reason to suspect that the fella is taking advantage of me.

Regards,
Laurie.

I am still not a fan of the business model as it is completely centric on 'organic traffic' at this time. As we know nailing any meaningful terms can take some time. This greatly reduces any financial viability for the project in the near future.

As I am not technically 'in' the SEO game any longer I can tell you, it is not the 'answer' nor is it any kind of 'mana from Heaven'. It is merely ONE piece in the larger puzzle of web business development. It is by NO MEANS a single source/direction for marketing $$. Multiple pronged attacks work best as always.

I would re-evaluate the business model and resources - a viability report methinks?

You see, I am currently against the model of a TON of work.. for 'long term' results. A sticky wicket that leaves most folks forgetting the ZILLIONS of hours of 'invested time' into the scheme of things. I'd like to see a more defined marketing plan and financial forecasts .....

Unlike Web Spammers, many sites over the few may not always be the way to go. Many sites means more internal office tracking efforts and other extraneous activities not related to the whole. These costs are also generally not accounting for.

What holdings are you currently operating? ( what and how many web sites)

Thanks Gypsey.

I hear you sugesting that I may not be headed for success.

All my sites are on the one domain.

Apart from a handful of small and insignificant sites, I have two main sites and four new blogs.

One of the things I'm up against with the ski blog is I have no content. I'm depending on support from the ski industry.

I'll try and work through your sugestions and get back.

Regards,
Laurie.

My concern is that operating sites requires varying amounts of work. Some, such as an ecommerce shop, are not so bad in comparison with a site providing information as it’s ‘product’ ( in the form of News, a Blog and the like)…. It’s important to try and build properties that maximize revenues with the least resistance (active building).

That’s the great part about viral type sites and social networking – they nearly build themselves. I dare say even a forum has a lower threshold of owner involvement once it is established. I am much happier seeing AdSense or other monetization activity on such sites since it is a low maintenance gig.

I am certainly a fan of diversified income streams.. just ensuring one gets the most $$ for their efforts is what matters to me….

Having ‘4 new Blogs’ sounds like a recipe for INSANITY in the end….

So the ultimate goal is making some $$$ from traffic on all of the sites? Do you have any retail holdings? Think of this like the stock market – we want to ‘diversify our portfolio’ so to speak….

Thanks Gypsey.

I appreciate your kindly consern and understand your points.

Do you have any retail holdings?

I've been trying for some time to move my photography on line. Now trying something different.

Having ‘4 new Blogs’ sounds like a recipe for INSANITY in the end….

One with all unique content has kind of beat me already.

The Digital Photography Tutorials blog is reprint articles so it's not a lot of work. Don't know how it will go in the SERPs with all duplicate content and high competition.

The local news paper and the ski blogs are dependent on user contributions, so again, not such a lot of work as could be. I'm headed, in some measure, toward your sugestion here.

I'm in the process of e-mailing 250 ski accommodation providers. A bit of work here as I have to find their website and get their e-mail address. All one at a time, hand work.

matte has sugested to me a couple of times that I look at affilliate marketing. I need to chase this up. But nothing will work without traffic.

Regards,
Laurie.

I'm a late starter with most trends - including getting the concept of web 2.0 into my head...

So maybe it is a power of the masses Laurie - tap into the ski fraternity and provide tools and space and, well stuff that they like and can use.

Now sit down and hold onto your chair when I say this...perhaps at this stage ignore the commercial aspects - crikey - did I just say that!!!

My reasoning is that by focusing on the community aspects first, the commercial aspects will come along.

A big challenge is surviving each summer and getting people enthused again each season, so your traffic might be cyclical

Now here is a site ( an awards site with nominations on it) that could have some software you could use. http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100.html

also look at this http://scripts.webmastersite.net/wsnkb/ think outside it just being and article directory backend and think about it as a way of structuring info - that people can vote on and comment on as well ( I have dreams of using it as  a public consultation tool)

Hows that for a bit of outside the box (for me anyway) !!

Oh BTW - here is an excellent podcast from ABC radio - 24mb download, but well worth listening to - grab it before they take the link off their site - all about the future and the internet's roll in changing the way we live and work and....

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bydesign/stori … 896243.htm