If you follow me on Facebook you might already know that I’m working on a Travel Niche Challenge set up by Travel Blog Challenge. What is this challenge about? I, along with Todd from Todd’s Wanderings, Kieron from Don’t Ever Look Back, Adam from World Travel for Couples, and Mike from Exotic Visitor; will be competing to create a Travel niche site that hopefully will become profitable.
Now, Why am I doing this and why am I posting about this?
Even though this topic of internet marketing falls outside the travel niche, it is still relevant to travel bloggers who want to make living out of “passive income” generated online. This is one of the many optional steps to become location independent; something I’m looking forward to become.
As part of the challenge, we are going to show you everything – every step, success, and mistakes we make so you can compare the different approaches we take and learn through us what works and not in creating a niche site. We will be updating you once monthly through our sites and through Travel Blog Challenge. In addition, I will be posting a few weekly updates through facebook, so make sure to follow to stay up to date.
So, here’s the beginning of my hopefully successful travel niche site.
But first, a couple rules we are following:
- Must be a niche site (meaning no more than a 10 pages)
- Must be travel related.
- We must only use ethical tactics. No black hat SEO.
- We must have a keyword or words strategy.
- We can employ any type of monetization strategy or a combination
- We can only spend a maximum of 4 hours per week on it.
Finding a Profitable Niche
First, I’m not an expert of niche site development, so you will learn things as I learn them too.
I already knew the niche had to be travel related, so I brainstormed a little bit about things I’m interested in that are in the travel industry. I took a strategy Pat Flynn of Smart Passive Income used to narrow down hit niche topic in his own Niche Site Duel.
I selected 7 passions, 7 fears, and 7 problems that are related to travel.
Then, I randomly selected 10 of the ones I felt most interested in. These were:
- Travel Hacking
- Becoming Location Independent
- Language Barriers
- Mileage Runs
- Expensive Travel Insurance
- Not Earning Money on the Road
- Bad Travel Planning
- Jet Lag
- Travel Photography
- Bad Money Management while Traveling
Now, the tricky and interesting part comes. I have to examine which of these possible keywords can be profitable. Not only does it need to be profitable to work, but it also needs to have a low competition and an exact (or almost exact) URL so I can hopefully score high in the Google search engine results.
Keyword Research Process
I’m using Market Samurai (you can get the free trial if you’re interested in trying you own niche as you follow) to analyze my possible keywords.
I start by selecting one of the keywords (the pictures shown are with the keyword that worked for me) and create a new project at Market Samurai. First thing I do is hit the Keyword Research tab and then hit Generate Keywords to see all the related keywords to Expensive Travel Insurance. (Not that want to target a site with the word expensive, but it’s a start from my list of problems that can lead somewhere interesting)
After I get the list of related keywords I need to analyze them by hitting Keyword Analysis. As you can see, I have a set some parameters Market Samurai recommends to find profitable niches. These are an SEO Traffic of 80 minimum (this means that if I reach the first spot in Google I could be getting approximately 80 daily visitors just from this keyword), a Phrase-to-Broad ratio of 15 minimum (the higher the ratio, the better chances that people type the keyword exactly as you have it), and an SEO competition of 30,000 maximum (the number of pages in Google’s index that use this keyword).
From the results, I see that Expensive Travel Insurance doesn’t follow my parameters, but there is one keyword that does comply and that catches my attention – Travel Insurance for Backpackers. As you can see, it doesn’t have the greatest numbers on the list, but you will soon see why I’m choosing it.
Now, I generate a new keyword for Travel Insurance for Backpackers and hit the SEO Competition tab. After hitting Generate Results I get what you can see in the picture below. This tells me how strong or weak is the competition to reach the top 10 spots in Google. It tells me the PageRank, the amount of Backlinks, if they are registered in Yahoo Directory, and if their URL and title are optimized for this keyword. In general, the more greens I see, the easier the competition. And here I have at least three weak sites that are all green. That’s a good indication.
Now, the next step is to check for a 100% exact keyword match domain at GoDaddy. Ideally it should be travelinsuranceforbackpackers.com. Sadly, that one is taken but I’m fine with a .net.
As you can see, the reason why I picked this keyword, even with low numbers from the analysis is because it has a moderate competition and had a 100% exact keyword match in the domain. Other better-looking niches were either too competitive or the domains were already taken.
Honestly, there are ways to do this for free and without the use of Market Samurai. But one of the advantages Market Samurai has is the ease of having everything you need in one place, and how much time it saves you on finding a profitable niche keyword. This only took me a couple hours with Market Samurai (free trial), without it, it could have easily taken me from a full day to a few days.
Building the Site
I use the same Hostgator hosting account I’m using for GloboTreks to setup my new niche site travelinsuranceforbackpackers.net, setup the wordpress application and install my Canvas theme from Woothemes. This theme is the same one I’m using at GloboTreks and I love it… it’s so flexible.
First thing I see is my site looking like this. Not near to this site, right?! But with a few design modifications I manage to turn it into this…
Now, all I need to do is generate some good quality content to go along this… but this will come on the next update, along with the plugins I’m using on my niche site. (too much info for now!)
But before finishing, this is my current position in Goggle’s search engine result for the Travel Insurance for Backpackers keyword (as of March 6th 2011): #88. Not bad for just being live a single day. The power of having a keyword full domain!
What do you think of this niche and this whole Niche Competition?
Image 1 from Flick’r Creative Commons.
First of all congratulations with your site!
I think the travel niche challenge is a great initiative. It’s not always easy to believe the different theories of how to start niche sites (and get rich with them) and I think it’s really interesting to see a couple of people start from scratch.
You’ve found a good niche, I think. Maybe your audience will be more mothers of backpackers than backpackers themselves, but that’s ok, they have the cash
Travel Technology also looked like a winning subject to me.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to your updates and to the evolution of your site.
Thanks Nicholas! I personally don’t know which theory does truly work and which doesn’t, but at least I’m going to have the experience by trying one or a few to see how they work.
I think this niche is interesting to work with. I’m a bit cautious about the low numbers, but hopefully it will work to my favor. ha! I guess you’re right, it’s probable that mothers of backpackers will be more my audience than backpackers themselves! Not all backpackers do actually buy travel insurance (not even I buy it for every single trip)… so, let’s see.
I also kinda liked travel technology, but for some reason didn’t pick it for further research. Maybe in the future, or if anyone is interested in trying it… feel free!
Will keep updating you on the progress of the site
Wow, good luck my friend!!!
Thank you so much Andi! Hopefully this will work out!
Hey Norbert! Awesome job getting started! I actually just changed my site after messing around with Market Samurai for the beginning of this week and realizing that the site I already started is going to be difficult for me to break into.
I’m eager to learn more about what everyone else is doing. You did pretty much the same as me, but that was already after I wasted the last couple weeks designing a site BEFORE doing keyword research. Keyword research is something that I have not done nor thought of before, and after watching all the tutorial videos at Market Samurai and reading up on it, I’m kicking myself for not paying attention earlier.
Great recap on how Market Samurai works and what you’re doing. Good luck, my friend!!
Thanks Adam! (for some reason I had to rescue you from my spam folder… lol) I literally did the same some time ago, before having market Samurai. I started a niche site that got nowhere because I didn’t do a damn about keyword research. Now it’s sitting there hopelessly… believe me… I did kick myself too! But, in this one I’m doing my best to go in with more knowledge than before. All the Market Samurai videos are super easy to follow, and I’m literally following their recommendations on the minimum and maximum requirements to find a good niche.
Your previous niche site was really good, theme wise. You could still develop it, but think about it more long term, since it will require more work to break into it.
Good luck! I’m doing this with my freetravelcontests.com site, but I spend more than 4 hours a week on it. Within 3-4 weeks I’ve got about 40 RSS subscribers and nearly 40 FB followers with ~80 hits per day and $0.10 to $1.00 per day ad revenue.
Best of luck to you!
Thanks Jeremy! I think it’s almost inevitable spending more than 4 hours per week. Honestly, I did spend more than 4 hours on my first week… I think I spent a total of 8 hours of work on market research, blog setup, and design (not counting the random bits of brainstorming that I did every now and then). shhh… but don’t tell anyone! lol
But, that’s a one time process, so hopefully I will spend less time in the following weeks.
Wow, your niche is pretty cool, which I would have thought about it since I love travel competitions! Now you have one more follower!
You’re getting a good number of hits and income in such a short time. If you don’t mind sharing, what strategies have you used?
Best of luck to you too!
Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I use Google AdWords a lot for finding key words but the tools you’ve suggested look like they provide a lot more comprehensive info. I plan on building a couple of niche sites as well, so this info is really helpful. Thanks.
You’re welcome Laurel. I’ve also used Google Adwords Keywords Tool (before getting Market Samurai) and I think it is really good too. The best thing about Google’s keyword tool is that it’s free. Market Samurai is more comprehensive and goes into a lot more detail on the keyword analysis, but of course, it is a paid program. But in my opinion, the price is totally worth it since you have everything in one place and it saves you a lot of time.
If you like, and want to build your niche site in the near future, feel free to share your updates with us.
Wow, off to an early and great start Norbert! I am sadly behind but my update is coming on Monday at Travel Blog Challenge.
It will be great to see how the different strategies pan out. I am hoping that they all do. I think I have already handicapped myself as I did not use Market Samurai as I normally would and found a “low” competition site with Google Ad Words Tool, but it turns out to be highly competitive with some big names. Now I need to make a decision to scrap my work or push on…decisions
Hey Todd!
Looking forward to see how you’re approaching your niche. I too spent a long time debating whether pursue this niche or look for a new one. Even though it does have a relatively low competition, it doesn’t seem to be a keyword that generates a lot of traffic by itself. Is it a warning sign to why this niche was still available? I don’t know, I’m still learning here. lol But, I decided to keep moving forward with it. I like this niche, and it will be my first properly built niche site, so it will be good to show all the ups and downs of the process.
Good luck, Norbert. I give you a lot of credit for taking on this challenge. Looks like you’re well on your way to success with it.
Thanks Cathy! I’m working hard to make it work!
This is really neat Norbert.
I appreciate all of the detail and work you’ve put into this post. Heck, I actually read the whole thing for a change!
I will be following to see how this all plays out.
Cheers!
Cam
hahaha! Thanks Cam! This is something for all of us to learn. Hopefully we can all come out knowing how to actually monetize a travel site, or any site for that matter.
Sounds really good Norbert. Good luck to you all. I think I might check out Samurai. I’ve been hearing about it for years.
Thanks Caz! Yes, I recommend you check Market Samurai. It will work great for you since I know you have a couple sites. It will help you target those keywords easily and find low competition niches. Totally worth every penny.
Norbert, interesting challenge. Looks like you have been working hard- I’m sure it will literally pay off =) Also, good to know about Market Samurai.
Thanks Grace! Working hard indeed, but hopefully it will all pay off.
Market Samurai is a very good tip. Go for it Norbert, I wish you tons of $$$$.
Thanks Inka! I wish that too!! Show me the Money!!!!
Great info. According to Keyword Tool the competition on that keyword is pretty high so I am surprised you already have a decent ranking.
Thanks Robin! Believe me, I’m surprised too as this is the first time I’m doing this seriously.
Wow! Great info in this article. You did a great job explaining everything. I can’t imagine working on more than one blog right now, but this sounds like a great idea if you have the time! Good luck, Norbert!
Thanks Christy! lol… it takes a lot of time… ugh! But hopefully all that work will pay off.
Hmmm..I think you are going to lose and I am only writing this comment so I can get a backlink for MY niche blog entry.
Just kidding bro. Good niche choice. I like the method you chose to find your niche. The passions, fears and problems are a great idea…find a need and fill it.
I took a completely different approach for finding my niche. This is going to be cool to see how each of us progress with such unique approaches.
Kudos
Ha! Sneaky backlink!
Thanks! Honestly, I wont be surprised if you win this, as you are wayyyy more experience in this!
Yeah, It’s cool to see and compare the different approaches and see what works best.
A very interesting post Norbert. A few months ago (4) I created another website hoping to 1) make more money and 2) drive traffic to my main site. I was succesful choosing the keywords, and the site now appears in the first page of google’s SERPS. It of course has adsense, it has good info (I get emails from people asking stuff related to it) yet the money is not there. Funny thing is that the adsense ads are very relevant to the site as well. I must be doing something wrong, but 20 USD wont take me anywhere! lol
Hey Federico!
Thanks!
Well, it seems like you did a great job with the keyword selection and the ranking. Now if you have the traffic, there should be a way to bring the money. Maybe you need to offer something (clickbank product, or affiliate of some sort). Also, test with the placement of your adsense… try putting it in the content, above header, or other places and test…
If you care to share, would love to know which techniques worked for you for ranking.