Revenue from you directory...

[particleman]

I'm in the process of getting ahold of a really great domain name for a niche directory I would like to start. The software sold on this site looks to be the best choice for what I'm looking for. I'm just wondering what sort revenue can be generated from a directory. No need to give out numbers, but I'm just curious if it's a worth while venture for the time invested (maybe not much time invested?) or simply better served as a hobby. Either way I think it will be a good way to cross promote a few of my other (related) sites.

[esm]

see http://www.nicecoder.com/community/s...ead.php?t=3728

personally, if you are a one man operation, then make it a hobby. it will be a great learning experience. there are (just too) many facets to master. PHP, CSS, mySQL, SEO, marketing, sales, etc.

i'm not aware of anyone that makes a living running a links directory. some folks, like inspireme, aladdin, and another guy (he had hawiian islands dot com or something), have had varying degrees of success. if you define success by having generated at least some income from their site.

I helped one site (from portugal) and they seemed to have been a success in the true sense. but they had a company of folks.

and hotscripts.com is a success. but it is a company too. not sure how they started. and of course, yahoo.

but that is not too impressive when you consider all the thousands of of link directories that have been started.

but i say give it a go. you may just succeed.


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[Bruceper]

Just remember, output (cash) is directly related to input (the time/work you put into it). Of course there are many other factors, but that's the biggest one I can tell you. Many folks assume if you make a site they will come (and you earn money) and that's just not true. If you want to earn an income you need to work hard.

[EBIZ]

Hi,

I started into this business in July 2006 on a hobby basis, I purchased eBusiness Directory which at the time was a free directory for high xxx and converted it to indexu and made it a paid directory, I was offered Mid xxxxx for it a month ago by a dot com investment company which I was tempted to take but decided against as the site brings around anywhere from high xxx to low xxxx a month and things seem to be improving.

I bought another directory on sitepoint for 2k at the end of june, monetised it to make about 1k a month, made back my 2k within 2 months and sold it for 10k, so there is money to be made if you can see value in an existing site and think you can monetise it better then flip it.

Starting a new directory is a waste of time if its a general directory, you need to find a niche and concentrate on building up quality links in it.

Dont expect with a new directory to make cash for at least 9-12 months as you will need to spend money marketing it etc.

Currently there seems to be a wave of good directorys going up for sale on various other sites, theres a bit of a slump at the moment due to alot of directorys been penalised by google (No one seems to know why).

I would prefer to buy an existing directory and make it better rather than start from scratch with a new one.

Hope that gives you an insight into the market

[inspireme]

My campsite directory within 2 years makes xxxx a month from google adwords, and further xxx a month from upgrades and link sales.

I have had 2 offers to purchase it, but im turning them down because i know i can make this pay a good wage each year, and i figure, if an investment company wants it then its a good sign i should keep it.

It takes hard work though.