Ad Revenue Driven Websites - Step 1 - Brainstorming

The Ad Revenue Driven Websites series will be a series of articles detailing the steps towards creating a website that’s being put up solely for the purpose of making money from ads (or affiliate programs). This series coincides with a project of mine of the same nature. I’ll try my best to make the info apply to as many similar projects as I can, ranging from Social Networking websites, to E-book websites to niche websites to video game fansites.

Brainstorming can undeniably be one of the longest lasting steps. It can take months to be suddenly hit with a great idea for a website.

Solve a Problem

Like any other real-life inventions or businesses, websites built with the intention of making money online are no different. One of the key things your website should be doing is solving a problem.

Analyze YOUR web browsing experience, what would make your life easier? Analyze a friend’s web browsing experience, what do you think would make their life easier? It always helps to talk to people, anyone. You should never limit yourself when brainstorming.

UPDATE: Jay Hamilton-Roth suggests that: “Solving a problem might be intimidating for some people. Simply reducing someone’s (physical, psychological, business, financial) “pain” is sufficient. To know pain, you need to know the market you’re targeting.”

Don’t Restrict Yourself

Another great rule of brainstorming. Never think that anything can’t be done. Don’t limit yourself based on your strengths and/or weaknesses. Think beyond the internet if you have to. What if you incorporated real life?

As an example, I remember seeing a campaign spread through the internet like wildfire. It consisted of an online application that let you design the front of a postcard, input a recipient and a message and your recipient would get it at their doorstep. Now that’s innovation.

Don’t Worry About The Little Things

This kind of goes with not restricting yourself; don’t start worrying about how you’ll make money or any other little details. Brainstorming is about transferring what’s going on through your head onto paper without worrying or thinking.

Next article, I will discuss narrowing down your idea. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: Step 2 looks at what questions you should ask when critically looking at the ideas you’ve brainstormed.

Related Posts

• Ad Revenue Driven Websites Series Wrap-up
• Ad Revenue Driven Websites - Step 2 - Develop Ideas
• Ad Revenue Driven Websites - Step 3 - Choose Your Idea