I’ve found that there are two types of websites that generate large amounts of traffic right off the bat. Both have to do with the amount and type of content found on each site.

Before I get into the type of content I recommend for most site owners, I’d like to ask the following question:

Why do you go online?

For me, there are two parts to the answer and each answer reflects a different type of website.

1. I’m looking for highly specific information (addresses, telephone numbers, product manuals, how-to guides, images, software, etc.)

   With this in mind, consider building a website that offers a highly focused and specific type of information. A lot of new website owners think that they need to tap into the massive marketplaces that some of the world’s largest websites leverage for traffic, and offer things like general news, broad reaching articles, and simple services.

   In fact, the exact opposite is true. My most effective websites offer very limited, but highly targeted bits of information. AutomatedManifest.com is an excellent example. By offering a tool to look up US Customs AMS error messages I’ve seriously limited my audience, but I make up for it with a growing number of subscribers who desperately need just that information. That site has quickly become an authority on the topic and is the first stop for anyone needing that type of information. Database driven websites or focused articles both make effective target audience websites.

   It is important to remember that there are 300 million people in the US alone, and nearly 60% of them go online at least once a day. Just because your content is focused doesn’t mean people aren’t interested in it.

2. I have a give and take destination in mind – an online tool or resource that I’m already aware of that I want to either contribute to, use for my own purposes, or both.

   Examples of this type of website are online forums, blogs, or services. These are websites that I’m already aware of that offer an online tool that is beneficial to me. This type of website has an enormous amount of potential, but can require a lot of maintenance and upkeep. The effort on the front end is usually much higher as well. Before you can have an online tool, you must first build that tool from scratch or implement a pre-built solution. Neither of which is a small undertaking. Once built, you will need to introduce your site to others and sell its return appeal. Both of these can be difficult with a new website.

   Once built however, the benefits of these destination websites significantly outweigh the time invested. With an online forum for example, you can rely on users to maintain and add to the website with little intervention on your part. As the site develops, traffic builds exponentially as users add more content, that content drives more traffic, and that traffic results in more users. My import/export forum is a good example of this kind of undertaking. A blog is s similar undertaking.

   By developing a site that acts as a destination for internet users, you can leverage your userbase to generate search engine traffic, an effective email marketing campaign, or viral marketing strategy.

There are many other types of websites and many ways to be successful. Before building one, ask yourself what you’re looking for online and build something from that experience. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 2nd, 2006 at 1:11 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.