How NOT To Build A Website
I'm going to do something today that most marketers refuse to do. I'm going to reveal one of my own websites! Shock, horror!
But don't get too excited, this isn't exactly one of my most successful ones!
It does have one achievement though…it's on the first page of Google for a term with over 3 MILLION COMPETITORS!
Stick that in your pipe and smoke it!
So why aren't I writing this from my beach house sipping Martinis? First take a look at the site…
What's wrong with this picture?
I'll tell you…I love movies, I like writing about them…doesn't mean I'll ever make any money from that damn site!
Do you know how many hours I put into that site? Clue: a lot!
I'm not bitter… 
In truth, it was my very first website and so I count it as a learning experience… and here's what I learnt…
If you want to make money with a site, make sure you do some research first.
Make darn sure there are people in the niche who want to buy things and make sure the competition isn't too severe.
People do buy movies you may be thinking…sure they do, but with affiliate commissions on movies coming to a dollar at most and adsense clicks mounting up to a few cents…it's just not worth the bother.
Not to mention the overwhelming competition!
But here's the funny thing…since it was my first site, I just can't let go! I mean, it's got a first page ranking on Google for the term "cult movies" - it gets a fair bit of traffic…I could probably sell this site for a decent amount but…
I can't let go!
Anyway, moral of the story…always do your research or you'll end up wasting a ton of man hours!
You absolutely must go where the money is and you should always check your competition. Not something I thought about when I decided to take on the likes of IMDB.com - big mistake. Still, you live and learn…
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Comments on How NOT To Build A Website »
Yeah, I think I've done much the same with my site here. How many web hosts are there? Ah well, it's fun, I have plenty of web space for other sites and I'm hoping to sell the couple of ebooks I have on there. Good thing I became a private member Matt, I can learn from someone who has been here. Here as in where I am that is. lol. Live and learn, indeed.
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Hey Simon,
Exactly! You've got to start somewhere but here's the main thing…at least you got started. Most folks give up before they even build their first site!
I was watching a video by Kyle Tully this morning. It was from a program on creating membership sites (a course which, incidentally, you'll be getting as part of your VIP membership) and he talks about how "failing is a good thing" and that you're only going to progress if you do fail at first.
Just don't get attached to your early misfires like I did!
Matt's last blog post..How NOT To Build A Website
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Hi,
Well, I like the site.
I can see
why you got attached to it.
In any event, there certainly is a
lesson there for all of us!
Thanks for sharing the site.
All the best,
Laurie
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Thanks Laurie, yes perhaps I was a bit unfair on my beloved site, maybe some movie lovers out there enjoy it…
Matt's last blog post..How NOT To Build A Website
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