Before a newbie takes over the "travel flight" niche, please
Submitted by chimbwe on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 14:07.
HELP.......
My first post on QUDJ was essential to release pressure from my “newbie brain” since bullet surgery is not recommended.
In the theme of setting up a content rich site and fear of the Gslap, I am keen on a niche that is basically my country of birth. I love it, travelled it, know it very well and it could become an authoritive destination site on the country. Country is gaining in popularity through tourism, expats and business e.t.c. The sites main earner will be major airline flights into the country. I have a list of additional killer niches to add to the main site that I feel will compliment the entire theme of the site. Services/products to those travelling there. I am comfortable that fresh relevant content will not be a big issue for me to provide. Get a blog going. New airline routes by majors recently opened, hotels, tourism and business bubbling.
My biggest fear is, if “flights” will be my main earner and I want to attract traffic that are ready to buy flights, does this mean I will have to bid/rank against the “major airlines” and “flight comparison sites” on Google, that are chasing the same business?
These flight sites offer true value to customers and me as I fly quite often but my site will provide much more country specific information plus add-ons that travellers will need before they fly and not just flights.
I am confident that if I don’t chase the “flight” keywords/niche, my site can get top 3-5 Google ranking on natural search. But if I don’t chase “flight” keywords then how will it convert?
I thought since I know this niche well, it may be a good place to start my first affiliate site. But the site needs to convert.
1. Does anyone have any experience in similar niche?
2. Any pearls of wisdom to tackle my query?
3. Will my site get anchored, chained, imprisoned, bogged on page 50 or something?
4. Is this a niche worth pursuing as a newbie?
Thanks
Alvin
Hey Alvin
Sounds like you have quite a bit of keyword research cut out for you, finding good search terms you can afford in the beginning can be tough.
I mean before a person books a flight, they have to decide upon a destination, right?
Hook 'em when they're looking for a vacation destination, then, help 'em choose their best, cost effective airline and fare.
Why would a traveler want to come to your country?
Could they possibly get more bang for their hard earned vacation dollar in your country, even after paying for air fare, than staying in their own or going elsewhere?
Whats in it for them? Get in their head is what Jeremy always reminds us.
Figure out some search terms your prospects use, then submit an article or 10 to e-zine or other article sites to get links to your site on the first page, as this may be more doable than getting your site ranked in the beginning, plus it will help your targeted pages get ranked in the long run.
Just a couple thoughts, good luck.
Barry
btw: Your blog idea would be big also. You may be able to interact on a more personal level than some of your competitors, provided you have the time.
Barry,
You certainly got me thinking.
When you said "Hook 'em when they're looking for a vacation destination, then, help 'em choose their best, cost effective airline and fare" - because many travellers window shop maybe months before they buy what is the best technique to keep my site clear in their mind, maybe with a cookie set?
I'm getting my head around the e zine recommendation. I had a look at a few articles on the subject and there is certainly merit.
Thanks again
Alvin
It sounds to me like you are in a position to give your prospects inside information that they couldn't get on your competitors sites. By submitting articles as Barry suggested, the prospects will begin to trust you. And once that happens, they will book through your links rather than go to a different site. You will have become a friend who knows what he is talking about. Why would they think of going anywhere else?
Good luck Alvin,
Chuck
"One's only security in life comes from doing something uncommonly well."
-- Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States
Chuck,
I certainly appreciate your encouraging comments.
I have a passion for this niche and your words make me feel that "there is gold in them there hills". What I have decided is because it will be a destination site and no small feat for a newbie to pull off I will develop this site simultaneously with a single product niche that I feel could be hot during summer leading up into xmas. I will keep you posted on its development.
Thanks again for your feedback.
Alvin