A network of sites, yay or nay?

[draggar]

How would you go about doing this because I am thinking about the same thing with a particular niche in mind. Do you link site1 -> site2 -> site3 -> site4 -> site1?

Like in a big circle or do you do it a different way? If they are all on the same server, I am going to assume that this is not good?

For the lack of a better term, I'm thinking more along the lines of a setup similar to a star-style network. For example, I could have "DraggarsCars.com" as a central site and then linking out (and back) to sites like Car-Repairs.com, SportsCars.org, Minivansonline.com, HenryFordHistory.com, etc.. There are also links to (and from) other sites out of the network ("supporting sites") that are similar sites that share the same ideology.

If the sites are related, there is no problem with interlinking.

The domains are very similar, the above example of domains is a good example. Very similar domains and sites based on a theme.

I am surprised at the lack of participation. I was beginning to wonder if there were nothing but domain owners on this form and very few that knew how to build or create a site.

I have offered countless times to include members sites on my sites and only once have I received a response.

...snip...

Thus far, due to lack of participation, I have had only one member contact me from this forum and I did his mini banner for free. And because this theme carries over into other sites, I will use it again.

So perhaps we need a sticky or something to that effect for this purpose. I had the call for sites moved to the Advertising section by the mods so not sure of the impact if peeps are looking at categories before reading.

Any thoughts?

This is DNForum.com (Domain Name Forum) and this site is catered to domains, domainers, and the domain industry. We do have some subforums for content development, web design and so on but they are not the priority. While I would love to see more subforums based on this aspect (and with domainers having to turn more towards development than just parking and reselling), I think these are the least active forums in here.

[Gerry]

I would also like to say that I have also made it for ANY LANGUAGE if the language and content meet that criteria.

This is a multi-lingual forum and it is not proper, in my opinion, to exclude members based on language.

It may be a little tricky, but I would want a second set of eyes to review content and links on that site.

An example of a finished site is here.

The mini banners happen to be posted on the left menu at the bottom.

For this site, if members get traffic equal or greater than mine, I don't care. The fact that I have a pretty much finished site is better.

As for CJ and Linkshare, I have had very little success with them.

If the other members include links, great.

[hittjw]

As the owner of the "Worlds Largest Network for Sales and Marketing Professionals in Business-to-Business Industrial and High-Tech Organizations", now with 72 active sites, I would recommend against building a big network. Unless ...

1. You have staff to maintain it.

When sites start going stale, you'll have massive traffic drop off (primarily search engine referrals) that are difficult to turn around. You'll need regular content and external marketing every week for each site -- with 72 active sites, that's 72 campaigns and articles each week.

Constant service of broken outbound links, adjusting contextual references, template improvements, and other webmaster "services" require time, which will take you away from content. Even though I'm on just 3 hosts, I've got more than 2 gigs of files to keep up to date.

2. You have a huge marketing budget.

Revenue from profitable sites is sucked up on less profitable sites. One site will bring in lots of traffic and no sales, I'll work on extracting some of that traffic, meanwhile three other sites drop off the map. Instead focus on a hand full of sites with stronger marketing campaigns, dropping anything that isn't paying it's own way.

I'm sure I could put in a few more points if I had time to write ...

How do I know? Because I can focus on a single site in the network, give it a little attention and jump traffic (new traffic, not in network) in 4 weeks. Now I'm working through the network a site at a time, focusing on getting each back up to par.

It's not that a "network of sites" model doesn't work, you just need to be careful not to sprawl (even if every site serves the exact same audience.)

A large network is great for testing. I was knocking off my own sites and have learned a lot, however, unless you are in the publishing business you'll make more revenue focusing.

However, if I didn't have the services side of my business, I'd be at double my losses. There is a silver lining in this because I own a publishing company, however, current results show I'd be ahead of the game with fewer better developed sites.

Best,

Justin

[Gerry]

... with domainers having to turn more towards development than just parking and reselling), I think these are the least active forums in here.

It is for this VERY REASON that I think we may be way ahead in this area.

I am seeing parking revenue take a nose dive across the board. All parking companies, all members are griping and complaining.

I strongly believe we have to take the domains and UNPARK them by building sites.

Members who know or learn programming skills are going to be way ahead of the curve. And there are many members here who have taken it upon themselves to do exactly this. The writing is on the wall.

When I think network of sites, I think my own sites interlinking with each other along with other members sites to create a network or networking together to form a network.

The site mentioned above as basically a lander does not impress me too much as it is still another lander. One would have to go to that site (lander) and then go to another site.

I would like to see individual sites created with links to active sites of similar themes. That is what I see.

And the idea of all inclusion of any extension helps tremendously in building awareness and usage of that extension.

Justin

Great points, Justin.

But my line of thinking is basically each member maintaining his/her own sites.

I like to think of my sites interlinking with one another as my network.

And I would be responsible to upkeep and maintain my own sites and would each member.

It does not need to be a formal alliance by any means or stretch. Simply a courtesy, picking up links, swapping links of ACTIVE SITES ONLY as I am not at all enthusiastic of promoting parked sites or pages.

The age of parking potential is waning. If sales are the primary source of income, then that domain as a developed site (or mini site) has a greater value. The potential new owner may have an entirely different thought and purpose in mind but the fact remains that YOU have a developed site. As simple or as complex as you want it to be.

Is this easy to do? Hell no!

I have nearly 6,000 domains and it is a daunting task. I need to focus on one at a time and see it through. But that is just not my style and I see now it is hurting me.

So I need to regroup and re-think my own mind set and methods.

I know I can do it. It is all about strategy.

More to come...sites that is.

___________

Out of cuiosity, I decided to do a check on one of the sites I recently created and launched and hinted at in this thread.

At the most! this site is two months LIVE if that much.

#3 of Results 1 - 10 of about 1,670,000 for stones music
#1 Results 1 - 10 of about 85,800 for stonesmusic.com

Google PageRank™: 2/10
Alexa Traffic Rank: 2,786,793

Incoming Google Links: 1
Incoming Yahoo Links: 12
Overall Incoming Links: 34 (Overlap is possible - Estimated 8 unique links)
Outgoing Links: 42 (Ratio: 0.024% - Each Link Receives Approx. 0.040 PR)

No money has been spent on promoting this site.

I have taken a dropped name and created a site.

Most content is static content but the front page does have an rss feed that keeps up to date. Very crucial for ranking.

[dcristo]

For the lack of a better term, I'm thinking more along the lines of a setup similar to a star-style network. For example, I could have "DraggarsCars.com" as a central site and then linking out (and back) to sites like Car-Repairs.com, SportsCars.org, Minivansonline.com, HenryFordHistory.com, etc.. There are also links to (and from) other sites out of the network ("supporting sites") that are similar sites that share the same ideology.



The domains are very similar, the above example of domains is a good example. Very similar domains and sites based on a theme.

There is no problem with linking all automotive sites together. Do it in a location which will get clicks. Don't place them all in the footer. If they are very related, you can also interlink within the content of each site.

[steveto]

how does it work if you have 5 sites with the same domain linking together?

ie site.com - site2.site.com - site3.site.com etc..

is this penalized, ignored...does it work a little?

Or should you have different domains...and how much more does a unique IP from a non-contiguous c-class factor into the organic positioning?

[dcristo]

how does it work if you have 5 sites with the same domain linking together?

ie site.com - site2.site.com - site3.site.com etc..

is this penalized, ignored...does it work a little?

Or should you have different domains...and how much more does a unique IP from a non-contiguous c-class factor into the organic positioning?

Honestly, G probably knows you own the sites based on whois, but it couldn't hurt to host the networks sites on different IP's.

[hittjw]

And I would be responsible to upkeep and maintain my own sites and would each member.

Now you are talking ... that's what I call collaborative networks. Some of the blogs are starting to talk about this, but it has been around forever. That's why you may see some of my posts noting that I'm always interested in working with sites who serve business-to-business selling professionals.

I get a lot of partner traffic from sites I work closely with. Just posted 5 articles on one of my blogs from a partner who I'm planning on doing a few teleseminars. When I work with book authors I'll do the same then review their book.

Just have to make sure it's all unique exclusive content, so many publicists want to recycle old content that has little value. You'll also need to manage your partners to make sure they don't get lazy (i.e. leeching all your hard earned traffic, while sending you very little value.)

I've been tempted to lease out my domains to get them developed, however, you do need quality content if you want any traffic. You also need to serve the customers for each site, cultivate relationships, and capture leads.

So instead of worrying about l inking schemes, just build the best sites you can that serve a specific audience, and associate with those who also serve the same. It will all workout without gimmicks because that is what search engines what from you.

Best,

Justin

[Gerry]

Now you are talking ... that's what I call collaborative networks
Just have to make sure it's all unique exclusive content, so many publicists want to recycle old content that has little value. You'll also need to manage your partners to make sure they don't get lazy (i.e. leeching all your hard earned traffic, while sending you very little value.)

Hate to police someone else's sites but that may be necessary from time to time.

I have too much on my own plate but old or static content will not do anyone any favors in today's SEO's. Carrying baggage and dead weight will get old real fast.

That is why I want to view each site prior to inclusion.

I am a little lax in this endeavor at present as I am just interested in link swaps with members. But I do not expect me to get a free ride nor will I accept anyone riding on my coat tails.

It is going to take some work and effort. And so does parking. Hard to imagine maximizing revenue without optimizing keywords and lander of a parked name. Same is true for a site. It does take effort to make it SE friendly.