Blog Start Checklist

1. Does the blog have a minimum potential of 30k visitors per month?

Average sales conversions on the web range from one to five percent. This is the big reason I look at a minimum search volume for a niche. If you make 90% of your money from 5% of your customers, then you need at least enough traffic to make the blog or website self sustaining.

2. Can the blog generate multiple streams of income like e-books, services, products, memberships etc...?

3. Are the keywords realistic to target?

Some keyword niches are so competitive now days, it would take an army of internet marketers in the trenches to achieve rankings.

4. Is there residual income opportunity?

Some niches which sell one time products still make money because the product sale price is a lot higher. I would never consider selling a one time product under $100.

5. Am I passionate about the subject?

What's the easiest way to tell if you are passionate about a subject. Well, you get out of bed in the morning when thinking of it. Or you get angry about something someone said.

6. Can I jump-start traffic with an existing domain?

Top search engines consider age authority. If you have a domain name that is less than 2 years, it will be an uphill battle for rankings. If you really are set on your new creative domain name, you better prepare to wait a couple years. Otherwise, I always suggest looking for a pre-owned domain name. The older the better.

7. Is my profit margin at least 50%?

First, you need to reinvest something into the blog. Then you need to pay yourself. If you are operating on profit margins under 50%, that's going to be nearly impossible, when you are starting out.

8. Can we offer any automated customization?

People love to change things. They love to make something their own too. Beat them to the punch, before they even ask. That way when they ask again even after you present custom options, you can remind them you already offer customization. Visitors will drive you ten different directions if you let them.

9. Is our blog and products/services unique enough to prevent price wars?

If you plan on just dropshipping products, look for MAP pricing. That stands for Minimum Advertised Price. The dropshipper then enforces that you sell the product at a minimum price. It doesn't stop all price wars. Its always better to create something you can offer. Then you open yourself up to affiliate network potential.

10. Is there enough supply of the products/services?

If you are handmaking crafts and relying on your crafts shop down the street to provide the materials, that might not be good. Its best to find a consistant supply for your materials. The same applies to information. If you are selling marketing reports, wouldn't you want to be able to update those reports each and every year?