Niche Hobby Website - Worth the Effort?

[homeriscool]

Hi, I've been wanting to build a site around a particular hobby that I have.

Only problem is, it's probably not likely to make any money. There's not much to sell.

I struggle with my conscience about whether to build this site (which probably won't make any money) vs building a site that will make money.

The hobby has lots of people searching, so traffic isn't a problem.....

I just don't know if it's a waste of my time

(even though it would be an escape from building sites that I'm not genuinely interested in).

I'd love your thoughts about this.....

 

[Black Belt Spodermen]

The hobby has lots of people searching, so traffic isn't a problem.....

That's enough to start the hobby site right away. Just monetize using advertisements and when you start to earn some bucks, you can start a more profitable niche afterwards.

 

[Heiko]

I would always go for things that i am interested in. Makes the project much more fun and it does not feel like work, if you get what i mean. I am kind of confused by the statement that it probably won't make money, as i think in every niche you can make money. Of course you don't have to share the niche, but i am really curious what niche you are targetting where there is no potential to make money.

 

[Deleted member 1501362]

Why not throw some Google Ads on it, it might not make a crazy amount, but I'm sure you could monetize it in other ways. Maybe even build your own product, start collecting some emails and sell stuff to your users.

 

[V]

Go for it. Never ask someone else for permission/opinion to do what you like doing. , The perk of blogging in a niche you're passionate about is that soon you will become an authority in it. You will be contributing without expecting anything in return, which I think people find trustworthy.

 

[homeriscool]

I would always go for things that i am interested in. Makes the project much more fun and it does not feel like work, if you get what i mean. I am kind of confused by the statement that it probably won't make money, as i think in every niche you can make money. Of course you don't have to share the niche, but i am really curious what niche you are targetting where there is no potential to make money.

When I say make NO money, that's technically not true.

I can always use ads.

Maybe create an ebook or something.

But that's not the same as building a rank and rent site or a business etc.

 

[Heiko]

When I say make NO money, that's technically not true.

I can always use ads.

Maybe create an ebook or something.

But that's not the same as building a rank and rent site or a business etc.

Yeah thats what i thought. I assume your niche has something to do with crafting or something of that sort. Especially eBooks, Guides or even Video Guides on how to perfect your craft (or whatever the hobby is about) will do well in that niche. Of course there are more profitable niches, but its essentially easier money for you if you enjoy doing it.

 

[homeriscool]

Yeah thats what i thought. I assume your niche has something to do with crafting or something of that sort. Especially eBooks, Guides or even Video Guides on how to perfect your craft (or whatever the hobby is about) will do well in that niche. Of course there are more profitable niches, but its essentially easier money for you if you enjoy doing it.

Yes it's a craft. Not the most profitable niche but I know that going into it.

The real attraction for me is building a site that I'm genuinely interested in.

But it's the trade off of time.

I could go after much more profitable niches.....but not enjoy working in that niche....

 

[Heiko]

Yes it's a craft. Not the most profitable niche but I know that going into it.

The real attraction for me is building a site that I'm genuinely interested in.

But it's the trade off of time.

I could go after much more profitable niches.....but not enjoy working in that niche....

Then don't do it. Money is not everything. You probably already know this, tho.

 

[IM Dude]

If you get around 100 visitors per day then just by placing adsense the website will pay for itself + you can sell guest post for extra money without much effort.
You may be already knowing this but adsense does retargeting so few people will click on ads and you get a few dollars every other day with 100 visitors.

 

[warriorsam53]

I would rather build another site that makes money and then use the money and free time to enjoy the hobby.

Even though I have hobbies that I enjoy, I have no interest in writing about them. If I’m going to outsource the content anyway, it’s better to build a site in a niche I’m confident about.

 

[roydan]

Having a passion project is excellent. I'd definitely go for that, and you might end up surprised with its capabilities to generate an income.

 

[homeriscool]

If you get around 100 visitors per day then just by placing adsense the website will pay for itself + you can sell guest post for extra money without much effort.
You may be already knowing this but adsense does retargeting so few people will click on ads and you get a few dollars every other day with 100 visitors.

I never thought about selling guest posts from it. Good idea.

I think I could take this site to at least 50K visitors per month (if I build it).

So Ezoic or Mediavine shouldn't be a problem.

 

[homeriscool]

Having a passion project is excellent. I'd definitely go for that, and you might end up surprised with its capabilities to generate an income.

Thanks, I have wondered about this.....I could end up very surprised by how much it could make. You never know until you try.

 

[homeriscool]

I would rather build another site that makes money and then use the money and free time to enjoy the hobby.

All I do is build sites that make money....problem is, I'm not really interested in most of the niches I work in.

 

[Elvlin]

if a lot people searching you can still earn from ads.
as for worth or not it's all depend on your situation.

 

[warriorsam53]

All I do is build sites that make money....problem is, I'm not really interested in most of the niches I work in.

I totally understand. I’m not interested in any of the niches I’m in either but i really like the whole business model.

I outsource all the content so I don’t need to actually bother with the niche and I get a lot of free time to do whatever I like.

If you feel that you need a place to share your thoughts about the niche, set up a site. It can be your break from work. It doesn’t have to be about the money or your time in this case.

 

[roydan]

Thanks, I have wondered about this.....I could end up very surprised by how much it could make. You never know until you try.

Exactly. I have one of these and it's already at 5x what I assumed it would be limited to and keeps growing.

 

[homeriscool]

I totally understand. I’m not interested in any of the niches I’m in either but i really like the whole business model.

I outsource all the content so I don’t need to actually bother with the niche and I get a lot of free time to do whatever I like.

Do you outsource all content? You don't do any writing?

If you feel that you need a place to share your thoughts about the niche, set up a site. It can be your break from work. It doesn’t have to be about the money or your time in this case.

Yes I could treat it like journal (with SEO thrown in )

 

[homeriscool]

Exactly. I have one of these and it's already at 5x what I assumed it would be limited to and keeps growing.

Awesome!