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alslespaul

posts: 5

Dec 28, 2007 12:45 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hello All,

I`m looking for a little input on what would be the best options for my new business that I plan to launch in `08. My wife and I are both Registered Dietitians and are looking to start an informational website offering our professional nutrition expertise. Most of the content (healthy tips, healthy cooking demos, etc.) will be free with the intent of generating traffic to sell advertising on the site. There were also be a link to another 3rd party service that we`ll use to provide premium content (individual nutrition coaching/counselling) for a fee.

I`m am wondering if it would be possilbe to use a service such as Windows Live, or Yahoo Small business for this? I know they provide easy to use templates and I like what I`ve seen. I`m quite techonolgically savvy and enjoy desiging for the most part, so this seems like a fairly easy way to do it?

Will those services allow me to sell advertising on my site? What are the best methods for selling advertising on web pages?

Thanks!

-------------------------

Eat Healthy Anywhere

DaleKing

posts: 1061

Dec 28, 2007 1:12 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Whoa...slow down, my friend! You`re way ahead of yourself.

First of all, it takes a long time to generate the kind of traffic that would make legitimate businesses want to advertise on your site. Unless of course you plan on paying for traffic - which can get expensive.

The very first thing you need to do is figure out what CMS you want to use. I have first-hand knowledge in this area, because I own a popular article directory called GuruKnowledge.org. I researched CMS`s for month`s before deciding to go with Interspire`s ArticleLive software.

http://interspire.com

In my opinion, it`s the best CMS on the market - but it`s not cheap. So that`s your first step - choosing a CMS. Once you do that, populate your site with as much relevant content as you can and refresh it often. Fresh, interesting content will help make your site "sticky," and give visitors a reason to return to your site over and over again - which is one of the keys to retaining traffic and becoming profitable. If you build your business the right way, eventually you will have enough traffic to seek out advertisers if you wish. Adbrite will be able to secure advertisers for you:

http://adbrite.com

A word of warning...Many people are turned off by advertising on websites. That`s something you might want to keep in mind.

Dale King

-------------------------

If you`re tired of all the money-making
hype, lies and scams...read this!
Click here for more details!

CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 28, 2007 10:22 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I`m hoping to also build an informational site, one of these days. A content management system (CMS) is definitely the way to go. I`m getting a recommendation for something else...I can`t remember exactly, but it might be JoomLah.

However, Dale has a good point that until you have a large amount of traffic, too much advertising on the site could very well be a turn-off.

I`d avoid things like Microsoft Live and Yahoo!, as they seem to be nothing but trouble later, when you want to make modifications. Take the time to learn something about Web development, then make an *educated* decision as to whether to use a pro or do it yourself.

Right now, it`s as if you`re trying to decide which surgeon to use for a cosmetic makeover, and you`re asking which is the best surgeon based on their Yellow Pages ad. See? It`s not that hard to find tutorials on HTML, and play around with a free editor like Nvu. Not to become a developer, but to at least get a sense of what`s going on.

Then you`ll know better if you want to lock yourself into a template or not.

seowebdesigner

posts: 5

Jan 14, 2008 9:05 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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That will take at least 2 years of writing quality content especially if it is only 2 people involved. As dietitians, my guess is that you make more money than the average guy. I would recommend you to find a good search engine optimization analyst that will write you good search engine optimized content that will turn visitors into returning customers.

Get a web designer specialized in CMS and after designing your website, you can contribute in writing the articles because it is something you know about. I wish you the best.

Best Regards,

Mr. Daniel Chege.

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Jan 15, 2008 8:04 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Before you jump to a CMS solution, lay out / write down and plan what your website is to have for content and sources. What features and functions your website is to include, and some idea of what it may look like (or examples of other websites that are similar).

Who`s your target market? Who`s you online competition? What may be your targeted keywords?

Will this be a do-it-yourself website? Are you or someone else going to maintain it (add, change content)?

You can use a blog program to manage articles you or others write and you can automatically include your and other content into a website using various RSS feed techniques (without using a CMS program).

I agree with the above thoughts on advertizing (monitizing your site). What is the main purpose of your site...to make ad dollars or to provide a service / valuable information to your viewers?

~Roland

-------------------------

Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

sddreamweavers

posts: 260

Jan 18, 2008 5:19 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Who`s your target market? Who`s you online competition? What may be your targeted keywords?

Will this be a do-it-yourself website? Are you or someone else going to maintain it (add, change content)?

I agree with the above thoughts on advertizing (monitizing your site). What is the main purpose of your site...to make ad dollars or to provide a service / valuable information to your viewers?

~Roland

Second that. Plan everything out first and then execute the attack.

-------------------------

Aaron Wood
CEO
San Diego Dream Weavers
http://www.sddreamweavers.com
awood@sddreamweavers.com

New and improved! Now with blogging goodness!
http://www.sddreamweavers.com/san-diego-seo-marketing-blog/

Aubrey

posts: 2

Jan 21, 2008 11:21 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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A different take on the answers above if I may. The answer really depends on your business objectives. Without knowing those, some or none of the answers above may be right (or wrong).

If you`re starting the site as a way to generate some do-it-yourself `side` income you probably are going to see real advantages with blogging software to get started. You could use Google`s Blogger or WordPress. These programs are essentially free and are geared to do-it-yourselfers. I personally think Blogger is a better choice for a newer user. As for 2 years of content? In my opinion it is more about getting people to view the content you have rather than how much you have. (although it should be quality) There are lots of ways to `get the word out` about your site that don`t require the expensive paid SEO way mentioned earlier. I do agree with the previous posts that said you shouldn`t expect much income from ads initially. That can come, but only with lots and lots of traffic. Your better bet for the `side` income may be to relay on the premium link you mentioned assuming it is a quailty product/service.

Alternatively, if you`re looking to replace your current income, second mortgage your house or something similar you probably should look into full out professional services like some of the folks here could likely provide. You need a business plan (as with any new business), content mangement comes into play if you`re posting thousands of documents, SEO is valuable in getting you good search engine results. You`d also need to consider investing in search engine marketing like AdWords or other paid advertising. All of those things can be done by a do-it-yourselfer, but it would be difficult to learn all this stuff and actually see results before you went hungry or lost your re-mortgaged home.

No sales pitch here, but I`d be happy to offer an ear and maybe help you narrow down the options you might need to consider. 919-341-3865

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