What makes a good niche? Is it something you know a lot about and can therefore write articles/product reviews about it? Or is it simply finding a keyword that lots of people are looking up that doesn't have a lot of competition? Or is it the perfect merger of the two?

I guess what I'm really getting at is: Is researching the right niche more important than anything else in this game? Everything else after that just seems to be a numbers game (websites, article submission, posting in forums, classifieds, etc.)

It's a lot easier to build a website with a lot of great content if you have an interest in the topic. With some research, you can carve out a niche within most topics.

Kathy

I would definitely have to agree. If you keep in mind that this is your business for the long term, you want to choose something you aren't going to be sick of after a short while.

You don't necessarily have to know a lot about a topic, although it is easier that way. But as long as you don't mind the research, you can build a site about almost anything.

It is a lot easier to dominate a niche in a shorter amount of time when there is less competition. If you choose an extremely competitive niche (like network marketing or auto insurance ) be prepared to put in a LOT of time and effort before you get the results.

For example, my insurance site is 7 months old and my parasite site is not even 3 months old. The parasite site gets better rankings and traffic already than the insurance site and if I continue to add content at the present rate, it will overtake my chocolate site in no time.

There are always those variables to consider, but a narrower niche is usually going to bring you faster results - which is a good thing for your first site - to keep you encouraged.

If you are talking about non-website affiliate marketing, the answer may be slightly different. However, you will still need to come across as confident and knowledgeable in your writing if you expect people to take your recommendations and click on your affiliate links.

When you know and love a subject/product, that becomes much easier to do.

Blessings,
Angie

Hello DrJeff,

I would also agree that most of the time it's the easiest to have a niche about something you enjoy or know a lot about. I would also have to add that it's not bad to pick a subject that you may be interested in learning more about.

Since content is important, you will need to be adding new information and if you like your subject it is less monotonous. However, if you feel at a loss after wracking your brain about, it's not necessarily a bad idea just to pick something that people are wanting and spending money on. You can get PLR content and rewrite it for your site or even hire a writer to get additional material. Like others have mentioned, the more you can narrow your niche down, the better. Keyword research comes into play here.

You have options, my friend. Reading and learning from others on the forum is great too.
Good luck,
Diane