Niche Site Case Study Week 2
August 30, 2007
It's been 16 days since my niche site case study was launched, and I'm back again for the second in my series of weekly updates on how well the site is doing. Here's the overall traffic screenshots from last week and this week:
Week 1
Week 2
As you can see, the traffic to the site has more than quadrupled in the last week. One major source of this increase in traffic has been EzineArticles.com. If you'll recall, I distributed ten unique articles to EzineArticles.com and GoArticles.com, aiming one of each of the 'About the Author' links from each article to one of the internal pages of the site.
Last week I had 147 article views and 14 clicks on the 'About the Author' link. This week the total is 516 views and 114 clicks.
The above is the screenshot of my external referrers to the site.
In addition to the direct traffic from the article distribution, each of the 10 articles has been picked up by at least one or two other sites so far (according to Google). That's an additional 20+ in-bound links in the two weeks. As the articles continue to spread across the web, the combined power of all of the homepage links I'm getting from 3WayLinks.net plus the links to the internal pages from the article distribution should continue to build the site's ability to rank for a large variety of targeted keywords.
My search engine visitors are on the rise as well. Last week I had 29 from Google, and this week I'm up to 48. This week I got my first Yahoo! visitors, too.
What has all of this resulted in monetarily? Last week I'd gotten 3 AdSense clicks and earned $0.91. This week I'm up to 14 clicks at $2.30. The earnings per click (EPC) isn't as high as I'd hoped, but this is still the very early stages of this project. My daily earnings average is up from $0.10 per day last week to over $0.14 per day this week. I may add some affiliate links into the mix as well, or an eBay auctions ad set, to see if I can bring the earnings up. But remember, the site is still very new, and I'm not at all unhappy with the results. In fact, I'm quite pleased.
All this traffic for about 5 hours of work. Since that 5 hours, all I've been doing the last two weeks is siting back and watching my stats increase. The real increases are yet to come, though. The site is starting to appear in Google for a variety of long tail keywords, and that will only increase as the sites in-bound links continue to grow.
The site still has only 5 out of the 11 content pages indexed in Google, too. I expect to see a jump in traffic once those other pages make it into Google.
Don't forget that I'm using a set of very powerful tools to make all of this work as well as it is. For the full story on how I built this site, and what I'm using to get it ranked in the search engines, read the original post.
Your comments, of course, are welcomed and encouraged!
Comments
62 Responses to “Niche Site Case Study Week 2”
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Jonathan Leger has been earning his living online full-time since the fall of 2004. He regularly posts advice about search engine optimization (his current passion), AdSense and Internet Marketing. 
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Jonatou han, I wish you all the very best with this site. It is fantastic to watch a case study like this unfold. I have two out of three of the tools you are using, but I feel so tied up at the moment, that I haven't implemented or should I say started a campaign like you are doing.
I wish you all the very best. I am endeavouring to find a niche that will be able to mirror the success that you are going to have with your "Rowing Machine" website.
If you haven't already, what is the crux of finding a niche. I've heard it said that it is easy, but I daresay it isn't for a lot of people?
Kind regards and God Bless You
Brian
Awesome and in such little time. Your work convinced me to buy Instant Article Wizard and begin creating content and using my 3waylinks to give authority. I'm having similar results! Thanks Jon!
Brian:
If you watch the video on the original case study post that deals with Niche Inspector, it will help you see how I chose this niche.
I really like the fact that you are honest about your results and not trying to sell everyone on having created 1,000 instant visitors because of some fantastic secret that you have
Looking forward to next weeks update.
Good Work!
It appears your articles are really doing their job. I bought Instant Article Wizard but haven't used it yet. I guess I'll have to dust it off and give it a try. (I promise it's on my to-do list!)
The Adsense clicks are definitely nothing to write home about, but like you say, add some other form of monetization and it should work. I need to do that for the site I linked in this post - MUST HAVE ARTICLES!!!
Looks great Jon! Since your niche study began, I've created four mini-sites and am quite impressed with the results. Of course, I've only been able to use 3WL with two of the sites because of the two-page index rule, but I'm anticipating great success. I'm using social bookmarking to get my inner pages indexed.
I look forward to seeing what you stats are next week. Thanks.
This is such an interesting study. Really looking forward to seeing how it goes. Given me the spur to do some more work on articles. Thanks very much.
Jon,
Did you start out with a brand new domain or one that had been aged a bit already?
Charles
Well done, Jon… Very well done indeed.
For a new site those are impressive stats in the visitor categories. I do think you would be wise to go with a few affiliate links, maybe in a reviews section just as an additional test.
Mike
Nice work Jonathan!
Slow and steady wins the race. On the flip side, what do you think about software like Press Equalizer or Submit Equalizer that submit to thousands of directories or classified sites at once. Can you build links too fast?
Ted
Hi Jon,
I'm curious as to how long the articles are that you post in Ezinearticle etc. and also if they are duplicated on your site or of they are completely different than content on your site? It's an interesting study, thanks for sharing it and I echo what Mikael said about not stating that you are getting tons of adsense income from it and being honest. I have the Instant Article Wizard as well and I need to try the updated version that I loaded but have not used yet. Thanks for your work!
Jon:
You are really on the cutting edge of subscriber relations!
Very few guru's lay all the cards on the table and provide such a vivid example of real life techniques as you do in your case studies.
Your emails are one of the few I actually look forward to receiving. Seeing is believing as I always say. Therefore when you recommend a tool or service I have no problem jumping on your recommendation because you've proven hands down that it works via your very informative and fully exposed/unleashed case studies.
Thanks for that and keep them coming!
JimL
Jonathan,
I have copied exactly what you have done with incredible results.
Keep up the good work.
Stephen
Well done Jonathon. I may be looking to you for some tools. Now that my site, which was down for a major REDESIGN, is back up, I want to get ranked as well.
You never cease to amaze me at your detailed, and consistent work. How do you keep everything organized?
According to askjonleger.com you have about 17 different products! Do you outsource some of your support, or how do you do it?
Keep it up…however you do it.
Ken
Jonathan,
Two thumbs up for this test. Even if it "fails" I admire your courage to do this while every one can watch.
I hope you will show us the site once you are ready.
Kurt
Gosh, I'm just getting around 175-200 visitors a day but in the past when I was doing alot of press and getting links back to my site from various news stations/newspaper websites I was getting roughly 150,000 visitors per month. And back then I wasn't into monetizing the site; it served a different function for me legally. And you're surpassing my stats in such a short time. Guess I'll have to start creating and submitting article the painful way.
Also, I was interested in your article wizard but I'm a MAC user and your software isn't appropriate or my system. :-(. I suppose 3waylink is the same. But I still am interested in tracking your results with the niche study.
Hi Jon,
I'd be curious to know just the general idea of how you approached the adsense implementation for this site.
Do you use the same units and positions as this blog? Do you use the same adsense layout for each page on the site? Do you plan on testing and optimizing the positioning or for the sake of the case study do you just plan to leave it as is?
Thanks!
- Charlotte
This is getting very interesting. I am looking forward to seeing if the stats continue to increase. Keep up the good work.
Steve
Jon,
Thanks for the update, i've been waiting for this in my inbox! I noticed you have your homepage links from 3waylinks pointing to the www. version of your site but the ezinearticles links pointing to the articles without www. Do you think this is going to hinder your results from search engines as there are 2 versions of your site in the eyes of the SE's?
Also, do you plan on adding more articles to either your site or the article directories in the future for updated content or will you leave as-is?
Thanks again for the case study.
Good work Jon. I'm wondering if you are finding the same problem I'm having with article submission…namely that people are taking my articles, spinning them a bit and using them as their own on their website. I have found dozens of people using variations of my articles on their websites but without the required link back.
Also, do you have any tips for increasing the CTR on the author bio links?
Peter
You're making 14 cents a day and you're excited?
I'm excited about the growth in traffic in only 16 days, not the 14 cents a day.
If you can get the traffic, you can make money–period. It's just a matter of having the traffic.
Hi jonathan,
May I ask why you built a static site instead of a wordpress blog?
dusty:
Because HypreVRE is really easy to use, and so it suited the goals of this site very well.
Great stuff Jon,
I am always keen to read your update emails. I have learned quite a bit from you - now all I have to do is put it all into motion : - ) I am getting there slowly, but surely and your updates give me more incentive to get moving, because I can see a light at the end of the tunnel if I follow your advice.
I have already purchased your Adsense Tracker, IAW and HyperVRE Gold, so I am on the way. Thanks again.
Hi Jon,
I have been following your test and find it very interesting. I have a question for you with the articles you submitted you said that you submitted to EzineArticles.com and GoArticles.com did you submitt the same 10 articles to both or did you in fact write 20 articles. I have read that you need to submit unique articles to the article banks as they do not like duplicate content. I am sorry but it is not clear just what you did here (to me at least).
Also I am interested in joining your 3WayLink.net program I am getting over 3000 visitors a month but they are not really targeted visitors and so are not buying, I need to get higher up the rankings to get the targeted visitors that I want. My question is can I opt out if I find that 3WayLinks is not working for me, I could not find this information on the page I read.(may have missed it though).
Please keep us updated your information is very helpful.
Love and Light
Colleen The Crystal Dragon
It is truly amazing how you are doing this. I wish that I could afford the 3waylinks, but right now it is no way. But, I have read some things about the use of 3 ways and it keeps me wondering…
I would definitely think that you would need to do something with your ad placement or get creative with your ads. Because receiving only around 13% of the people clicking your ads thats quite low.
Hi Jon
Thanks for the update. Here's a plug for your article wizard software for those sitting on the fence.
I finally got off my you know what and used it!! Yep you do have to use for it to work.
It is certainly easier to use than the first one [which I also have but never used]. Now I am putting the "is" and "are" after my keyword I am getting better results.
The first article I submitted to ezine articles was rated expert. Have now written a few others and finding it easier each time.
Simon
well done Jon. Do you put this set part of 3 way links?
Hi John
I enjoy reading the emails you send and the information you give…I am learning more and more by the day and will keep on reading and learning. My site is also new and filling with articles. Noticed the search engines are eating them up so something is happening…now if I just knew what I was doing it would be even cooler lol. Anyway I will be looking forward to the next email.
Thanks ArticleQueen
Great job, Jon! This is definitely a very inspiring case-study.
I am really impressed with your Instant Article Wizard software and am thinking of purchasing it.
I do have a couple of observations and questions for you:
I like the niche inpector that you showed. It seemed to be able to really show you where the potential goldmines exist, but I was looking at the demo sites for HyperVRE and found them to look too MFA'ish. I'm sure you know what I mean. Maybe it's just the templates, but it just doesn't seem like they provide real value for the visitor (initial impression), perhaps getting them to click on adsense out of frustration and just wanting to go somewhere else.
On the other hand, I saw how you created your articles in the video and I can see that you are trying to create something of value for the site.
My questions are:
1) How do you feel about the way the HyperVRE sites actually look to your visitors?
2) What do you think your visitors are "feeling" when they reach the site?
3) Do you think that visitors are clicking on AdSense because they are interested, or because they "want a way out"?
4) Do you think that your visitors see the site as worth the stay, or do you think they say, "On no! Not one of these fake sites that lead me nowhere!"?
Hello, John-
What a refreshing approach to giving your subscribers content they can USE…
Nice to see the flat out truth, instead of hype and exaggerations. A real time example is going to give your readers a real time look at the world if internet marketing, and show realresults. Skip the pumped-up promises, and get to the dirt in the trenches. Lots of class!
Keith
Very original idea Jon, something the Net could use a lot more of. Your honesty will take you far with the folks. Much appreciated.
In my own work I strive to be upfront and on the level with everyone. It's so good to see a kindred spirit!
Jonathan Leger, Thank for you sending me newsletter…
Hello Jonathon…
You said… "If you'll recall, I distributed ten unique articles to EzineArticles.com and GoArticles.com, aiming one of each of the 'About the Author' links from each article to one of the internal pages of the site."
…………………………
Now, let me get this clear.
Are you saying that one of the "About the Author" links on the article directory site were directed to another page on your site (other than "About the Author") to have that page spidered?
This sounds like a neat "twist". Could you explain this aspect of your strategy in a little more depth please?
And, I just love your step by step process here. Just love your work.
Thank you
Jonathan - where do you host your site? Also, do you purchase a new domain for each site?
Thanks/
Dave
Jonathan, bonjour…
I have been following your project with a great deal of interest. This really is a fine and decent way of building a relationship with your clients… (customers only buy… clients look for guidance in buying).
If nothing else, I hope that your ethical approach will spread far and wide.
Bon continuation!
Thanks to 3 way links and only 2 articles the following results were acheived
in about 30 days using the following keywords for one of my sites.
{snip} #2 on google out of 211,000,000
{snip} #2 on google out of 2,270,000
{snip} #5 on google out of 2,610,000
443 links inbound
I say 3 cheers for Johnathon!
Whats the next tool?
Great results Jon. I actually started the same after reading your first instalment. My figures do not stack up against yours yet but hopefully they will get up there.
It is true, you need the tools of the trade to succeed.
Cheers mate.
I am following this study and will continue to. I like the way you are approaching this and the way you are plainly showing each of your steps to everyone.
I also like the fact that you are showing the slow and steady organic growth that is so key in this industry. Your getting the traffic and the backlinks, slowly but surely, the revenue will follow.
I have been listening to you some so my website keeps growing and growing thanks for the tips .
Great blog Jonathan, and good to see someone do the 'magic' live.
I run over 50 sites, and use a mixture of HyperVRE, Instant Article Wizard, Web Article Wizard & Web Content Wizard for producing content & sites. I prefer Keyword Analyser 7 than Niche Inspector, but they do a similar job in getting the main stats on keyword niches.
Having been using 3WayLinks myself for a few weeks it does what it says on the tin, however they do not do dating or gambling sites, which 50% of mine are!! But a new service launched the other day the same thin, 3-way-linking.com This works out dearer, as you are only allowed one account per domain, but does allow you to point to 5 (or 10) sub-pages/directories. DO NOT run both services for one domain together though.
Article Post Robot is a must if you are sending off to a high number of directories, but don't duplicate, otherwise you are just wasting your time.
Hi,
I'm new at comments on blogs, but I saw several great ones on yours, plus some very good questions. My question is where do we view the answers to those questions?
Thanks.
Jan
I understand that it's cumulative, but why so excited about $2.30 for five hours of work?
Can you give us an idea of when/how this starts pulling in enough income to make it worthwhile?
As I said before, it's not the $2.30 I care about, it's the level of traffic growth.
Jan:
The questions are answered here.
Dave:
I host my sites on my own dedicated servers. And yes, I purchase a new domain for each site.
Kenneth:
That's right. Each distributed article points to a different page of the site. That way inner-page links are built up as well. 3WayLinks takes care of the home page links.
Jerry:
1) How do you feel about the way the HyperVRE sites actually look to your visitors? — I think it's easy to navigate and looks fine.
2) What do you think your visitors are "feeling" when they reach the site? — I think they're wanting information.
3) Do you think that visitors are clicking on AdSense because they are interested, or because they "want a way out"? — The info on the site is very targeted, so I don't think they "want a way out." After reading an article, however, the related ad probably catches their attention and so they click.
4) Do you think that your visitors see the site as worth the stay, or do you think they say, "On no! Not one of these fake sites that lead me nowhere!"? — I certainly don't feel they would think that about this site. It's certainly worth staying and reading.
Hi Jon,
I can't say more than what Kevin Phoenix said.
Just go on, Jon, your blogs are great.
Hey Jon, nice jobs showing us how the site is built and the progress of the site so far…I have been following your updates since the last update and really find your article informative..thanks..Looking forward to your next update though..
One more question about Niche Inspector - thinking of buying it, but someone commented that it's out of date since it relies on Overture - please explain that.
You're getting me excited about doing some niche-building!
Jonathan
Fantastic insight in to the power of linking, and of course the search engines. It is good to see the simple (essential) rules of internet success working.
Too many website owners and webmasters ignore the power of free links from directories.
Your article and stats go to proof the point to.
The answer to better ranking is more one way links coming in to your web pages.
I'll be following your progress, and I wish you the very best.
Sincerely,
John Adams
Jonathan,
Great series… One quick question.
Where are you getting 10 "decent" original articles for $50?
I can't find seem to find a decent article by someone who speaks English as their
first language for less than $10.
Sam:
I used need-an-article.com. They write good articles, but it requires a monthly subscription ($9.95 right now) plus $5 an article. There are some other options, but that's the basic idea.
Jon
Hi Jon,
Nice sharing! I've a question for you:
You mentioned that you used instant article wizard to create the website content. What about creating the 10 articles that you submitted to ezinearticles.com and goarticles.com? Were these 10 articles purely created using instant article wizard as well?
Thanks.
What "analytics" program are you using for this example Jon?
Hi John,
not sure why my previous post about submitting your 10 articles was deleted. Apparently I missed your response to Sam.
Anyway I just want to ask you why don't you use instant article wizard to create the articles you sent to the article directories? Why do you need to spend another $50 for 10 articles.
Thanks.
Welly:
Your comment wasn't deleted — it just hadn't been approved yet. I have to manually approve comments because of the blog-spam problem. To answer your question: I had the 10 distribution articles written by a ghostwriter because I didn't have time to write them myself and had set a deadline to get the case study out to my list by a certain time. So in the interests of time, I went ahead and hired somebody.
Hi Jon,
Thanks for replying. Would submitting to article directories using instant article wizard work then? From what I know they have some strict policies regarding using softwares to generate articles.
Please advise. Thanks again
Jon,
Could you address an earlier post by Diana. I am also curious:
"Niche Inspector - thinking of buying it, but someone commented that it's out of date since it relies on Overture - please explain that."
Jonny
Jonathan,
Forgive me if I missed this somewhere in the comments of the past few posts. Are you using Article Wizard to generate ALL the articles for your site, rather than using HyperVRE to build the site around existing articles? So… you're creating the articles, then manually putting them in HyperVRE?
I've read conflicting reports regarding duplicate content…
Thanks,
Bill
Jonathan,
how much to you expect the site to make? What if the ranking is not that good, will you do anything to improve it or just move on to the next site?
Pete