ShippingLines.com worth to develop?

[twomoon]

Hey guys,

As a noob in development (total noob) I have a question to you.
I have a domain name ShippingLines.com (around 90% of trade is transported by ships).

So I have this name, and I was thinking maybe it's worth to try to build something on it.

I know nothing about shipping, I know nothing about development, I don't know how to earn money online on particular projects/sites.

In your opinion, does it make sense to create something on this domain name? Something of course conected with shipping, shipping lines, quotes, container trucking etc. etc (BTW there is a website on a similar name: shipping line dot org)

If you think there is sense to build something on it, how in your opinion I could earn money on it?

I know this is elementary questions, but as I said I just no nothing about this part of Internet (development and earning online).

Thanks, Nick

 

[Eric Lyon]

I for one am a firm believer that any domain developed properly has the potential to generate revenue. With your domain the first things that pop in my head are the following:

Thoughts
---------------------------------
1.) Using an api you could provide up to date arrival / departure times of air / land / sea shipments. = Informational content
2.) Using an Affiliate api you could provide shipping quotes and order forms = $$ commissions
3.) Using an Affiliate api you could provide a directory of shipping services in line with #2 = $$ commissions
4.) You could provide articles about safe shipping practices, proper packaging, how to ship, quote laws on what can and can't be shipped, explain how customs works, etc. = informational content
5.) You could use ppc / ppl / or pps type ad syndicates (E.G. google, adbrite, etc.) = $$ ad rev.
6.) You could sell targeted ad spots to shipping companies directly = $$ ad rev.
7.) You could create your own merchandised product line using your new Brand image and sell T-shirts, coffee mugs, calenders, pens, etc.(mybe design them to be funny and memorable for all ages with your logo somewhere in them) = $$ Product rev. + Free advertising
8.) You could provide free downloadable reports on shipping crimes and include your logo in the pdf's = downloadable information + brand recognition

I'm sure there's many more things you can do to boost interest, retention, and conversion, however the above are just the first things that popped in my head. Not sure if it helps or not.

Eric Lyon

 

[twomoon]

I for one am a firm believer that any domain developed properly has the potential to generate revenue. With your domain the first things that pop in my head are the following:

Thoughts
---------------------------------
1.) Using an api you could provide up to date arrival / departure times of air / land / sea shipments. = Informational content
2.) Using an Affiliate api you could provide shipping quotes and order forms = $$ commissions
3.) Using an Affiliate api you could provide a directory of shipping services in line with #2 = $$ commissions
4.) You could provide articles about safe shipping practices, proper packaging, how to ship, quote laws on what can and can't be shipped, explain how customs works, etc. = informational content
5.) You could use ppc / ppl / or pps type ad syndicates (E.G. google, adbrite, etc.) = $$ ad rev.
6.) You could sell targeted ad spots to shipping companies directly = $$ ad rev.
7.) You could create your own merchandised product line using your new Brand image and sell T-shirts, coffee mugs, calenders, pens, etc.(mybe design them to be funny and memorable for all ages with your logo somewhere in them) = $$ Product rev. + Free advertising
8.) You could provide free downloadable reports on shipping crimes and include your logo in the pdf's = downloadable information + brand recognition

I'm sure there's many more things you can do to boost interest, retention, and conversion, however the above are just the first things that popped in my head. Not sure if it helps or not.

Eric Lyon

First things that popped in your head...
These ideas would come to my head after a month of a brainstorming lol
Thank you very much Eric!
Really, really helpful info!

But one more general question. Should I worry about competitors? Cause there are many sites that give such kind of info, plus many of them are direct provides of this info and/or are in this business.
Or I just can build something and count on a small piece of pie?
You think that for this particular domain and business could I count on something?

 

[Eric Lyon]

1.) As far as competitors, you'll have those in any market you develop for, so just consider it part of doing business..

2.) Visit a few of the sites you'll be competing against, try to choose the ones at the top of the industry. Identify what they are doing different than others in their industry. Try to slightly clone their approach. I say slightly because I don't mean for you to copy them, what I mean is for you to create your brand identity and media campaign originally to stand out uniquely, whilst still providing the same or better quality standards as they do.

3.) Once you have that down, now you want to splash some of your own creativity into the mix and add a few things that they don't offer. Be the One place people will want to go to get all the answers for that niche and not just some answers like the other places.

4.) a small piece of the pie is better than no pie at first. You can always build / upgrade / expand your site as you go. So no need to feel overwhelmed. You wont be able to do it all at first anyways. So just start with the simple stuff first & then build on it as you go. Just keep track of what your competition is doing.

5.) I think that every niche has something to count on if you dedicate yourself to it.

Hope that helps a little,

Eric Lyon

 

[enlytend]

When I start planning a site into which I expect to be putting some serious time (as opposed to a shameless money-grab ) I like to start with the classic "SWOT" analysis - nothing crazy, just a quick assessment of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats - mine and my competition. You don't have to go all crazy and corporate, just take an objective look and jot down a few notes.

I see two major challenges (i.e. "weaknesses") for you here - 1) this is your first site and 2) you don't know the shipping business. All other things being equal, you will ALWAYS get better results if you understand your target audience - their needs and their pain points. If you don't understand those things, it's difficult to create a unique value that sets you apart from your competitors.

(Shortcut: If you can get qualified traffic to the site, you can poll your visitors to get an idea what would be most useful to them.)

Of course you can learn, but it's two big learning curves to address at the same time.

You may want to consider first doing a site on a topic you know well ...just to get a better feel for the site development side of things.

 

[4pm]

if you have good old gold Parker but dont know how to write and know nothing about grammar and literature that's undoubtely a perfect base to start off writing novels competing against professional writers..

 

[twomoon]

1.) As far as competitors, you'll have those in any market you develop for, so just consider it part of doing business..

2.) Visit a few of the sites you'll be competing against, try to choose the ones at the top of the industry. Identify what they are doing different than others in their industry. Try to slightly clone their approach. I say slightly because I don't mean for you to copy them, what I mean is for you to create your brand identity and media campaign originally to stand out uniquely, whilst still providing the same or better quality standards as they do.

3.) Once you have that down, now you want to splash some of your own creativity into the mix and add a few things that they don't offer. Be the One place people will want to go to get all the answers for that niche and not just some answers like the other places.

4.) a small piece of the pie is better than no pie at first. You can always build / upgrade / expand your site as you go. So no need to feel overwhelmed. You wont be able to do it all at first anyways. So just start with the simple stuff first & then build on it as you go. Just keep track of what your competition is doing.

5.) I think that every niche has something to count on if you dedicate yourself to it.

Hope that helps a little,

Eric Lyon

Thanks Eric one more time! Very important and usefull info for me!

---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------

When I start planning a site into which I expect to be putting some serious time (as opposed to a shameless money-grab ) I like to start with the classic "SWOT" analysis - nothing crazy, just a quick assessment of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats - mine and my competition. You don't have to go all crazy and corporate, just take an objective look and jot down a few notes.

I see two major challenges (i.e. "weaknesses") for you here - 1) this is your first site and 2) you don't know the shipping business. All other things being equal, you will ALWAYS get better results if you understand your target audience - their needs and their pain points. If you don't understand those things, it's difficult to create a unique value that sets you apart from your competitors.

(Shortcut: If you can get qualified traffic to the site, you can poll your visitors to get an idea what would be most useful to them.)

Of course you can learn, but it's two big learning curves to address at the same time.

You may want to consider first doing a site on a topic you know well ...just to get a better feel for the site development side of things.

Thank you enlytend!
Yes agree with you, I need first to analyze all this stuff.
Maybe you're right and it's better to try building a site about something I'm familiar with. Hmmmm

---------- Post added at 07:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:13 PM ----------

if you have good old gold Parker but dont know how to write and know nothing about grammar and literature that's undoubtely a perfect base to start off writing novels competing against professional writers..

Thank you 4pm too!
Well I sold some Parkers (not gold of course), but mainly BIC's for couple of years, maybe it's time to learn how to write and learn grammar