SEO Tycoon

**astrojith** · 02-16-2007, 03:10 AM

As many of you may already know, I'm Sreejith and I'm running a blog - www.webmaster-dome.com which is about SEO, Webmaster news and blogging. But, I'm someone who likes technology. I think its the closest thing to magic.

I've a lot to say about technology. But, since my blog is really focused on seo and stuff, I never post those thoughts. I've been thinking over these days, if it would be wise to widen my blog's topics.

I'm thinking of adding technology news in the sense that news about new technologies and about Firefox. I'm also considering to add some personal posts and photos. If I change my niche, I'm quite sure that my post count would increase rapidly and so will the quality.

But, some other guy told me that it is wiser to start a new site based on this. But, since I'm a little outta cash now

, I should host it at Blogger or others and I don't have the money to pay for the domain.

Moreover, it might be a little tough to promote a new site and get it to the spotlight. In my current site, I've a fair lot of loyal readers and even if don't earn much from it, I sure would write it for them. So, what do you think ? Please posts you thoughts and advices.

**ForrestCroce** · 02-16-2007, 05:18 AM

Blogging and search optimization are technology. They're niches like you say, but they fall under the same internet umbrella. And really, Firefox is a pretty small step out. With all the web dev add-ons and such, a person interested in SEO and blogging in general is more likely to use FF than an average Joe on the street.

Also, you said you write about the topics you cover because they interest you. And that blogging is your karma. So it sounds like your web site is a reflection of you, the "cyberspace" version. In other words, maybe your niche isn't so much web dev related; it's stuff you find compelling. I think a lot of your readers probably share some of your other interests.

**astrojith** · 02-16-2007, 05:31 AM

Well, first of all, thank you Forrest, for the quick reply. I wasn't expecting a reply today. Anyway, you're right about the "cyberspace" version. And, I'm getting there.

When I started this website, I concentrated only on SEO. You see, whenever you start a site, make the niche narrow for better performance. Then, I widened it to blogging and some webmaster news. After that, I added things related to marketing. But the widening process I'm trying to indulge is, well, a faster and less-gradual transition.

So, would this affect my readership or my reader experience ?

**InfTekHosting** · 02-16-2007, 12:17 PM

I don't think it would affect your readership as long as you post about the topics that built your initial readership. You'll have to maintain a fair balance among the topics.

**astrojith** · 02-17-2007, 11:22 AM

Well, anyway I'm not leaving behind the topics I discuss now. But, just trying new ones. I'm not sure if would proceed with it. Thats why I came here for some expert advice.

I may not merge some of the topics like cellphones and all because the domain name is bit specific (webmaster-dome). I think I can easily cover topics related to internet. As Forrest said (kudos !!

) , they all come under the same roof.

**ForrestCroce** · 02-17-2007, 04:48 PM

In software development, a lot of people have similar questions about upgrade versions. My WebMaestro software is a good example, as I'm working toward a new release.

The advice is always to balance making it "wider" ( ie adding more features so it appeals to a wider audience ) which doesn't help your existing users, or making it "deeper" ( ie better at the things it already does ) which doesn't attract new ones. Ideally you want to do both, although if you're prolific people tend to forgive you for catering more to one end of the scale for any particular release.

So that doesn't translate exactly to blogging. With software, you have a singular concept, that you keep building on top of. With blogging, or most types of writing, you produce something, you do your best the first time, and then you move on to another idea to write about, and again, you do your best. ( It's not that you don't do your best in software, but you could spend a thousand years improving something. )

Like InfTek said, try exanding a little bit, but keep active with the topics you built the site on. A lot of your readers will probably share these other interests of yours, but not all of them will, so if you keep producing good content for those, then everyone should be happy.

**astrojith** · 10:04 AM

Nice advice, Forrest !! I've added the talkupation

. I guess thats the key. I need to build up on new topics but shouldn't leave the existing topics. Its a very tough game but is sure worth it. This way, I can get new readers while retaining the old buddies. Nice !!

P.S :- For some reason, its showing "You must spread talkupation before giving it to ForrestCroce". Sorry, dude. And, hey, how did you get this much karma from the community ? You must be pretty polite.

**Learning Newbie** · 02-19-2007, 01:53 PM

I have to agree with astrojith - that's good advice and explained really well.