Should a Website be a Superstore or a Boutique?Many, many years ago when the Internet was still in its infancy and few had even heard of the World Wide Web I was given, what was then, some very sound advice:

“If you want to be at the top you must narrow your focus and be the best in covering one topic.”

You see, at first I tried to have as much varied and diverse content as I could, thinking that there would be a myriad of possibilities for someone to stumble upon my site.

Instead of getting more visits, the site just languished alone and unrecognized by search engines.

After getting my good advice, I tried to decide what kind of content would separate me from others. I enjoyed the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and had a few film photos and “SmokyPhotos.com” was born!

To this day, any Google search using the term “photos” and any permutation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park returns SmokyPhotos as the number one Smoky Mountains Photo site! Even the former President of the United States used SmokyPhotos as a source for background photos for a speech!

But alas, the days of the “boutique” websites are numbered. As more and more mega-sites continue to gorge on all kinds of content, the “little guy” must be content to scavenge the crumbs that fall of the table.

The “Superstore” sites that offer everything AND dominate the search engines and it will not be long before many of the smaller sites fade into obscurity.

I have lived through the entire evolution of the Internet and have seen many changes for the better, and some that I don’t like very much.

But I will continue on with my “boutique” sites as long as it is economically feasible to do so.

Which, at the rate we are going, may not be much longer at all!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Richard Weisser and SmokyPhotos.

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46 Comments on Should a Website be a Superstore or a Boutique?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
22
1,519,111 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Keep up the fight with your boutique web presence.  You are fighting the good fight.
12:17pm • #27
492,317 Points 10 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good Afternoon Richard:

Excellent Post. The Giants in the industry are battling it out for market dominance.  We as Agents are mere pawns in this fight. Sometimes I wonder  if it's time for agents to pull their membership from these MLS.  Afterall, we pay them money and they give our data away to the Big Guys,for us to then to either purchase the info or compete head-on with the big guys.  That's What's going on.  My little website cannot function against the big guy's. 

Six years ago when I decided that I was going to establish my webpresence my son, an MIT freshman warned me against  doing that...he said to do WordPress Blog, it will pay off... It was a very expensive lesson to learn.  Thanks to Active Rain a all the information sharing, I do not have that website anymore.  Hoefully by the next two months my blog will start picking up the the kind of traffic needed to run a successful business
12:47pm • #28
759,116 Points 13 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Richard this is probably the first time in the couple of years I have been reading your posts that youu  were down beat !!

The internet is the great equalizer and so we are equal with the beasts . I think
1:16pm • #29
369,670 Points 70 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Just as the internet is getting smarter so are consumers. They want the personalization of a website that gives them exactly what they came there for. Not a lot of hype and empty promises but decent service and the facts.
2:44pm • #30
1,500,603 Points 355 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gary...

It is very important that content is refreshed often!. Thanks.

Steve...

It's a lesson I learned 13 years ago that has stuck with me. Thanks so much,

Margaret...

Probably better to do a website for each, but as we all know, the more narrow the scope the better in most cases! Thanks.

Fernando...

But you'll have to move to Bentonville AR! lol and thanks.
3:35pm • #31
292,425 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

In answer to your question in the title; if a massive website allows the user to find the detailed information they'e looking for in a few quick clicks, that would seem best.
6:03pm • #32
715,635 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard - The future is social media, not web sites or blogs.  I am devoting much more time to social media and use it to drive traffic to my sites.  As a result I'm building traffic and still ranking in the #1 and #2 spots for my niche market keywords. 
7:33pm • #33
306,123 Points 6 Featured Posts

Localism is definitely key.  When I first set up my website and did keywords for NYC real estate, I got leads for all the other boroughs I don't even work.  I learned quickly and schift that specifically only to the territory I work in---Manhattan.
7:46pm • #34
866,303 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is an interesting question and I think the points of view expressed reflect the thing I am trying to weigh.  Of course, budgets are a factor here too!
8:05pm • #35
879,476 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Richard - and we continue to provide those super sites with all our information for free sometimes even paying them to put our information on their site ..... when will we learn!!!!
8:26pm • #36
466,370 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Richard, very timely post. I agree with many of the comments and you that we can't compete with the big sites. I have a site that costs alot of $$ that has not brought results promised. The big sites do better I'm sure. I believe social media and boutique sites like the one you have will be the future. Every person is unique like every real estate transaction. I'm realizing as an agent I may not be every customer/client's cup of tea, nor should I pretend to be. Thank you for your post today,
9:52pm • #37
JUN
23
556,002 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Richard,

Good post.

I like the comment:

The riches are in the niches.

I would add:

So you gotta scratch where it itches.

PHil
2:59am • #38
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I like #17(Eve): Riches are in the niches....very cute!
4:00am • #39
1,054,171 Points 286 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard, So far, it's not the general info that is getting consumer calls for us but the very specific, boutique type niche info.  We'll keep working that gap in info availability as long as it's available to work.
4:17am • #40
1,118,554 Points 101 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Blog titles along with my niche lake sinclair site have continuted to keep my family feed. I'll never be mega, but that's okay by me.  I don't want ALL the money.  I just want to help enough folks to pay the bills.  Can't take it with you after all.
6:08am • #41
1,125,896 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have several boutique sites, and one major supersite as well, for my area. Niche sites still dominate for google results when you go for a targeted buyer.
12:31pm • #42
504,847 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard, I heard something the other day about Walmart getting into the real estate game. Is this what you mean by "superstores?"
4:19pm • #43
423,185 Points 16 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great advice Richard, with the sheer volume of information on the net, anything but a narrow focus just gets buried.
5:52pm • #44
872,624 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Richard, I agree with Renee - and also think that the riches are in the niches. Boutique sites, isn't that the hyper local that is being promoted so much?

Sharon
6:44pm • #45
JUN
25
237,958 Points 10 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Richard ...Very good article ! It sure does raise questions for business strategies...

Quite a few great responses on different directions and perceptions .... 
4:18am • #46

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Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Coweta Newnan Homes for Sale

Newnan, GA

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Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers

Address: 209 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Newnan, GA, 30265

Office Phone: (770) 827-6225

Cell Phone: (770) 827-6225

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Author Bio: Richard Weisser is a Georgia real estate broker, licensed auctioneer, a candidate for GA House District 71 and has been writing about Georgia Real Estate since 1999.

Coweta Fayette Real Estate offers opinions and helpful information to consumers and real estate professionals in the Coweta County Georgia area.

Coweta Fayette Real Estate allows you to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with NO registration required!

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