Originally Published in Doug Cunnington’s Newsletter
Are Niche Sites a waste of time? It depends on who you ask…
I did a live stream yesterday covering some of the pros and cons of niche sites. (it’s not all rainbows coming out of unicorn butts…See AI image below…)
Like normal livestreams, I got off track and only mentioned a few.
So I decided to ask the new expert about everything in the world…
You got it…
ChatGPT…
I asked ChatGPT the following questions. I’ll share the responses below…
★ Do you know what a niche site is?
★ What are the pros of niche sites?
★ What are cons of niche sites?
★ How much can niche sites earn?
★ Are niche sites a waste of time?
★ Is there anything missing about niche sites? They seem like a good opportunity. What are the worst things about niche sites, especially things that might not be obvious?
(Funny enough…it was surprisingly hard to get anything close to the rainbow and unicorn image that I was hoping for. This was a very good use of my time. AI does not think it’s appropriate to have rainbows coming out of the rear end of unicorns…)
ChatGPT answers were very good, in my opinion. I’ll paste them below verbatim.
Me: Do you know what a niche site is?
ChatGPT: A niche site is a website that targets a specific, narrow market or topic. These sites often focus on a particular product or service, or cater to a specific audience, such as a particular hobby or interest. Niche sites can be a good way to earn money through advertising or affiliate marketing, as they can attract a dedicated audience that is more likely to make purchases or click on ads.
Me: What are the pros of niche sites?
ChatGPT: There are several pros to creating a niche site, including:
Targeted audience: Niche sites allow you to focus on a specific group of people, which can make it easier to attract and retain a dedicated audience.
Lower competition: By focusing on a specific topic or market, niche sites often have less competition than more general sites, which can make it easier to rank well in search engines and get traffic.
Higher revenue potential: Niche sites can often earn more money through advertising or affiliate marketing because they attract a highly targeted audience that is more likely to make purchases.
More enjoyable to create and maintain: Many niche site creators find that working on a site that aligns with their interests and passions is more enjoyable and fulfilling than working on a site that covers a broader range of topics.
Scalability: A niche site can be easily scaled up by adding more content, promoting it more aggressively or adding more products or services to sell.
Me: what are cons of niche sites?
ChatGPT: There are also several cons to creating a niche site, including:
Limited audience: By focusing on a specific market or topic, niche sites may have a smaller overall audience than more general sites, which can limit their potential for growth.
Limited revenue potential: Depending on the niche, the revenue potential may be limited, especially if the niche is not a profitable one.
Dependence on a single source of traffic: Niche sites often rely heavily on search engine traffic, which can make them vulnerable to changes in algorithms or competition from other sites.
Time consuming: Creating and maintaining a niche site can take a lot of time and effort, especially if you need to create a lot of content to attract visitors.
Harder to diversify: Niche sites are often focused on a specific topic or product, which can make it harder to diversify and expand the site’s revenue streams.
More difficult to pivot: If the niche is not working out, it can be harder to pivot the niche site to a different niche as it’s already built its reputation and audience with a specific niche.
Me: How much can niche sites earn?
ChatGPT: The earning potential of a niche site can vary greatly depending on several factors, such as the niche, the amount of traffic the site receives, and the monetization methods used.
A niche site with a significant amount of traffic and a profitable niche can potentially earn thousands of dollars per month through advertising, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. However, it’s important to note that earning a significant income from a niche site typically takes a lot of work and time to establish and grow the site, and it’s not a guaranteed outcome.
On the other hand, a niche site with low traffic or in a less profitable niche may earn very little or even nothing. It’s important to research and evaluates the potential earning potential of a niche before investing time and resources in creating a site for it.
It’s worth noting that these figures are not typical, and a lot of hard work and dedication is needed to achieve such earnings from niche sites.
Me: Are niche sites a waste of time?
ChatGPT: Niche sites can be a valuable opportunity for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to create and grow them. However, it’s important to understand that creating a niche site is not a guaranteed way to make money, and it can take a lot of time and effort to see results.
That being said, niche sites can be a waste of time if they are not approached in the right way. Choosing a niche that is not profitable or not having a clear plan for monetization and growth can lead to a site that does not generate any revenue. Additionally, not investing enough time and effort into creating high-quality content and promoting the site can also lead to a lack of success.
In summary, niche sites can be a valuable opportunity for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to create and grow them. However, it’s important to choose a profitable niche, have a clear plan for monetization and growth, and invest time and effort into creating high-quality content and promoting the site.
Me: Is there anything missing about niche sites? They seem like a good opportunity. What are the worst things about niche sites, especially things that might not be obvious?
ChatGPT: There are a few things that may not be immediately obvious when considering creating a niche site, including:
Constant maintenance: A niche site requires regular maintenance and updating in order to remain relevant and attract visitors. This can include creating new content, promoting the site, and optimizing it for search engines.
Risk of algorithm changes: Niche sites often rely heavily on search engine traffic, which can make them vulnerable to changes in algorithms. These changes can result in a loss of traffic and revenue.
Risk of niche saturation: Some niches may become saturated with too many sites competing for the same audience. This can make it difficult for new sites to stand out and attract visitors.
Monetization can be difficult: Monetizing a niche site can be difficult, especially if the niche is not a profitable one or if the audience is not inclined to make purchases.
Constant evolution of technology: Some niches may become obsolete with new technologies or changes in consumer behavior. For example, a niche site about a certain type of software that is no longer used or a niche about a certain product that is no longer in demand.
Overall, niche sites can be a valuable opportunity, but it’s important to be aware of the potential challenges and be prepared to put in the time and effort to create and grow a successful site. It’s also important to do thorough research on the niche and the target audience before starting a niche site.
____________
It’s been cool playing with ChatGPT and I largely agree with the pros and cons that are listed. I could have asked a few followup questions, but this email is already getting pretty long!
So if you think niche sites are a good fit for you, I encourage you to check out my flagship course, Multi Profit Site.
