The thrill of buying a website and watching it grow is something I live for.
It’s like finding a hidden gem polishing it up and watching its value soar.
I’ve been buying and selling websites since 2014 and I’ve learned a thing or two along the way.
My favorite source for finding these gems has been Empire Flippers a curated marketplace for online businesses.
It’s where I found a little site I call “Niche Site” which I snagged for a cool $6000.
The Niche Site: A Case Study in Tripling Earnings
Niche Site was a perfect fit for me.
It was already generating revenue through Google Adsense Amazon Associates and eBook sales.
I knew I could boost those earnings especially the eBook sales which were just simmering.
The site also had some impressive stats with an average visit duration of over 3 minutes! That’s a strong indicator of engaging content.
But what really sealed the deal was the niche itself.
I was personally interested in the topic which made it easy for me to connect with the content and understand the audience.
The Journey to Tripling Earnings
I spent about two months getting the site up to my standards a process that involved some strategic tweaks:
1. Unleashing the Power of Private Ad Networks
Niche Site had a hidden ace up its sleeve – access to a private ad network where publishers were paid $4 to $6 CPM (Cost-Per-Thousand-Impressions). This was a game changer! For every 1000 pageviews from US visitors I was earning $4 to $6.
Finding this network was a stroke of luck.
I simply searched online and voila! It’s something I recommend to anyone buying a website – look for these hidden gems that can boost your earnings.
2. The Amazon Kindle Program: A Low-Effort Revenue Boost
I enrolled the site’s eBook in the Amazon Kindle program and those sales started rolling in! It was a minimal effort but it added about $90 per month to my earnings. While the niche was specific the book quickly became the #1 Best Seller in its category which was exciting! But what was even more exciting was how this was driving targeted traffic back to the website.
3. Targeting Long-Tail Keywords: A Strategy for Consistent Traffic
I used Long Tail Pro to identify a bunch of “easy-to-rank” keywords related to Amazon.
I hired a writer to create content around those keywords and it wasn’t long before they started ranking on the first page of Google.
This was a consistent traffic generator for the site.
4. Conversion Rate Optimization: Tracking the Path to Purchase
It’s crucial to track the conversion of your landing page especially if you’re selling a direct product like an eBook.
I used Google Analytics to track visitors to the landing page and set up event tracking for the “Buy It Now” buttons.
The results were fascinating:
- March 2015: 1366 visitors with 243 clicking the “Buy It Now” button (17.78% click-through rate). The eBook sold 36 copies resulting in a 2.6% conversion rate.
- February 2015: A similar click-through rate of 17.3% but a higher conversion rate of 3.64%. This was likely due to seasonality in my niche.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Niche Site was a true success story.
It took me from $300 per month in earnings to over $1000 per month and it continued to grow.
Within a few months I was on track to reach my ROI.
Here’s a snapshot of the month-over-month growth:
- January 2015: $489.67 profit
- February 2015: $931.88 profit
- March 2015: $1087.55 profit
Key Takeaways: Lessons Learned from My Niche Site Journey
Here’s what I learned from this experience that I pass on to anyone buying or building a website:
- Diversification is key. Niche Site had multiple revenue streams which made it more resilient.
- Seek out private ad networks. They can significantly boost your earnings especially if you’re in a niche with relevant advertisers.
- Don’t underestimate the power of the Amazon Kindle program. It’s a low-effort way to generate additional revenue and it can drive traffic back to your website.
- Target long-tail keywords. They’re often easier to rank for and can lead to a consistent stream of traffic.
- Track your conversion rates. It’s essential to understand how your website is converting visitors into customers.
The Future of Niche Site
I’m still delighted with this acquisition.
It’s a prime example of how buying the right website can be a lucrative investment.
But my journey doesn’t end here.
I’m considering selling Niche Site as it’s been generating a steady $1000 per month for months.
This is the beauty of website flipping – it’s a cycle of buying growing and selling.
It’s a constant opportunity to learn adapt and build a portfolio of online assets.
I’m always on the lookout for new gems to discover and Empire Flippers is my go-to source.
It’s an exciting world out there and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!