One Website vs. Multiple Websites

**marcinsarasota** · 09-11-2005, 05:48 PM

I have multiple websites for my area and 70-80% of my business comes from the internet. Most of my leads come from one site. I started to build other sites so I did not have all of my eggs in one basket. My goal is to have 3-4 sites producing consistent leads. This way if any one of the sites fell out of the search engines for any reason my income would not take a huge hit. As it stands now, if my Sarasota site (ranks well in Google) dropped in the rankings my production and income would suffer.

I was wondering how many of you are juggling multiple websites? How many of you are just concentrating on one site?

Any opinions on having one site versus multiple? I will always have multiple sites but am thinking about consolidating a few.

**Chief Tutor** · 09-12-2005, 03:01 PM

You truely are one of the the internet success stories. 70-80% of your business coming from the internet is amazing.

Anyway, I am a big believer in having multiple websites. We do not control the SE's and if thery were to change significantly, you might be out of business very quickly.

I am also a big beleiver of integrating a cost effective PPC plan into any overall website marketing plan. Not to target primary terms but secondary terms which can still be achieved in a cost effective manner. Cost effective manner is going to vary by market but should end up being between 20-50 cents per click.

Lastly and in addition, when you look at the primary reason you are achieving those results, I hope that not all businness is coming from one or two keywords. To achieve a successful long term strategy, you want at least 30%-40% of your buisness coming from a variety of keywords even when the majority is coming from your primiary organic rankings.
Just my two cents...

**Jiany** · 09-12-2005, 03:37 PM

Hi Chief tutor
Yes your right. Although I HATE PPC, I do it to a degree.
Knowing how to be on top for organic key words is amazing.
The internet for me is truly where the power relies.
Be a realtor does not give me much time to research and be on top for organic keywords.
Do you have any tip on organic search terms and the process to get to the top besides key words, blogs?
PS is this Josh?

**Nickie** · 09-12-2005, 04:57 PM

I really just got my website fully operational a few months ago and am now starting to see results. I have been considering developing a couple more, each one dedicated to one specific city. I think what you are doing, having multiple sites, is a smart decision.

I can see how getting too many things going at one time could easily become a headache. I'm not sure how many you have, but you mentioned consolidating some of them so you must have quite a few.

Sounds like another good decision to me.

**Nickie** · 09-12-2005, 05:00 PM

Oh yes, I meant to mention, so far I have not participated in PPC, but I have been considering it. Do you feel that it is worthwhile?

I'm considering it for my newest site but have no experience to determine if it is a sensible thing to do.

**marcinsarasota** · 09-12-2005, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by Chief Tutor

Lastly and in addition, when you look at the primary reason you are achieving those results, I hope that not all businness is coming from one or two keywords. To achieve a successful long term strategy, you want at least 30%-40% of your buisness coming from a variety of keywords even when the majority is coming from your primiary organic rankings.
Just my two cents...

Fortunately, I am getting leads from various search phrases. That is a great point though. With these algorithm changes it makes one nervous.

**marcinsarasota** · 09-12-2005, 06:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jiany

How do you keep up the optimization for them?
Seems like it is pretty hard to handle one let alone 3!

Jiany,

The SEO is the hard part. That is why I am going to consolidate a few sites.

I think the Google, Yahoo and MSN are working hard everday to make sure their search engines are getting better. The websites with the most content and large quantity of quality links with do the best. (I know there is more to SEO than that). I still see sites with little content do well in the search results. In my opinion, that will change in the future. Ultimately, the search engines want the best websites to come up first.

So should we concentrate on one super rich content site or build multiple sites? There are only so many hours in the day to work on this stuff.

Just in case of another algorithm change I will continue to maintain multiple sites.

**Chief Tutor** · 09-12-2005, 07:04 PM

Nicki,

You said that you just put your website live a few months ago. If that is the case, I would not even considering doing another website for a year. I would focus a least one year on your current website and then from what you have learned in getting that site working, put it back into a second website.

Most of the people of these forums have had their websites for a year or more so I beleive so you have to understand what they are basing their comments on.

Just my two cents...

**Nickie** · 09-12-2005, 07:09 PM

Thank you. Excellent point.

I actually just got my second site up for my other business and it is doing quite well.

I think you are offering good advice, since I am beginning to get good results from both sites. I will wait and see how they develop until the beginning of the year.

Thanks again!

**Jiany** · 09-13-2005, 06:29 PM

Hi Marc
Hi Marc
Your right time is very limited.
In terms of marketing, I think that organic search is the best advertising available, but am afraid that the algorithm might change as you mentioned.
There has to be a formula to being on top besides content. I often see my competitors way on top with less content then my site! They must have something going on.
By the way are you the one optimizing you site?
Do you work by yourself or in a team setting?
Well Im off to the big apple, speak to you soon!