Local rent-and-rank website issue

[Nausicaa33]

Hi all,

A couple of months ago I started my first SEO endeavor, a local rank-and-rent site about aviation schools. It ranked on the first page for all the keywords I was targeting, and it seemed to be all set for renting out. Then I realized what I feel is a fatal flaw: there were no aviation schools that identified as being in the areas that I had targeted(at least not that weren't already high on the first page). Yeah, I'm kicking myself for not noticing it earlier.
I just don't know how I could sell something with such a flaw, so I'm considering shutting down the site before it eats up any more money, but I wanted to ask the knowledgable SEO Forum community on their opinion first. If you were in the same position, would you shut down the site, take it down another path, or...?

[motorbikestore]

If you've realized that your local rank-and-rent site about aviation schools has a fatal flaw and there are no actual aviation schools in the areas you targeted, it's important to reassess your options. Here are a few possible courses of action:

1. Adjust Your Targeting: Consider expanding your target areas to include regions where there are aviation schools. This might require additional research to identify potential markets with a higher concentration of aviation schools.

2. Refocus on a New Niche: Instead of shutting down the site, you could pivot the content to focus on a different niche within the aviation industry that does have a presence in the areas you targeted. This would involve reoptimizing your site for new keywords and creating new content that aligns with the new focus.

3. Relaunch with a Different Focus: If you feel that the current site is not salvageable, you can consider relaunching with a completely different focus, perhaps in a different industry or niche altogether. This would involve rebuilding the site from scratch, redesigning the content strategy, and reestablishing your SEO efforts.

4. Seek Partnerships: Explore the possibility of partnering with local aviation schools or related businesses, offering them advertising space or other cooperative opportunities on your website. This way, even if you don't rank high for keywords related to aviation schools, you can still generate revenue through partnerships.

5. Explore Monetization Options: If you decide to keep the site running, despite the flaw, you can explore alternative ways to monetize it. This could include offering advertising space to other businesses in the aviation industry, selling affiliate products or services related to aviation, or even creating and selling your own aviation-related products or courses.

6. Conduct Market Research: Take some time to conduct thorough market research to identify potential niches or target areas that may have a demand for aviation schools. Look for regions or countries where there is a growing interest in aviation, or consider targeting specific types of aviation schools (e.g. flight training schools, maintenance schools) that could be more prevalent in certain areas.

7. Improve Website Content and User Experience: Even if the flaw prevents you from effectively renting out the site, you can still focus on enhancing the user experience and providing valuable content to visitors. This will help establish your site as a trusted resource in the aviation industry, which can potentially lead to future opportunities or partnerships.

8. Consider Selling the Site: If you feel that the flaw is too significant to overcome or you don't have the resources to pursue alternative options, you can explore the possibility of selling the site. There might be interested buyers who see potential in the existing SEO rankings and traffic, even if the flaw prevents you from monetizing it to its full potential.


9. Consult with SEO Professionals: Reach out to experienced SEO professionals or agencies who can provide expert advice specific to your situation. They can assess your site, analyze the flaw, and offer recommendations on how to proceed. Their insights may help you find alternative solutions or uncover new opportunities that you may have overlooked.

10. Seek Feedback from the Community: Engage with the SEO Forum community or other relevant online communities to get their opinion on your situation. Explain the flaw you've identified and ask for their suggestions or experiences. They may offer valuable insights or share similar stories that can help guide your decision-making process.

11. Evaluate Competitor Strategies: Analyze the strategies of your competitors in the same niche or industry. This can provide you with insights into how they have overcome similar challenges or found success in different markets. Learning from their approaches can inspire new ideas or prompt you to reconsider your current strategy.

12. Consider Rebranding: If you decide to continue with the site but need to pivot to a different niche or target audience, consider rebranding the site. This can involve changing the domain name, redesigning the logo and visual elements, and repositioning the site's content to align with the new focus. A fresh start with a clear direction may help attract the right audience and generate interest in the revamped site.


13. Explore Alternative Revenue Streams: If renting out the site directly isn't feasible due to the flaw, consider alternative revenue streams within the aviation industry. This could include offering consulting services, creating and selling digital products (e.g. eBooks, online courses) related to aviation, or providing lead generation services to aviation schools or other businesses in the industry.

14. Network and Build Relationships: Attend aviation industry events or conferences, join relevant online communities or forums, and actively network with professionals in the field. Building strong relationships can open up opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, or even potential buyers for your site.

15. Refine Your SEO Strategy: Instead of shutting down the site immediately, invest time and effort in refining your SEO strategy to attract targeted traffic and increase its value. Conduct thorough keyword research, optimize on-page elements, build high-quality backlinks, and focus on creating valuable, engaging content. This may improve the site's visibility and potentially attract interested parties who may be willing to work with you despite the flaw.

16. Seek Professional Valuation: If you're considering selling the site, consult with professionals who specialize in website valuation. They can assess the value of your site based on factors such as SEO rankings, traffic, revenue potential, and future growth prospects. This will help you determine if it's worth selling or if there are improvements you can make to increase its value.

17. Consider Repurposing the Site: If shutting down the site completely isn't an appealing option, you can repurpose it for a different purpose altogether. Research other profitable niches or industries that align with your skills and interests. You can leverage the existing SEO rankings and traffic to kickstart a new venture on the same website.


18. Explore Content Expansion: Consider expanding the scope of your site's content beyond just aviation schools. Broaden your focus to include other topics related to aviation, such as flight training tips, career advice, news and updates in the aviation industry, and more. This can help attract a wider audience and increase the potential for monetization through advertising or sponsored content.

19. Optimize for a Different Geographic Area: If targeting a different geographic area is feasible, consider redirecting your efforts towards a region where there is demand for aviation schools. Research areas where aviation is thriving or growing and optimize your site's content to cater to that specific location. This may involve reworking your keyword strategy, creating location-specific landing pages, and optimizing local SEO elements.

20. Analyze Competitor Gaps: Study your competitors who are already ranking highly for the keywords you targeted. Look for gaps or opportunities they might have missed within the aviation school niche. Identify areas where you can differentiate your site, provide unique value, or target underserved sub-niches. By addressing these gaps, you can position your site as a valuable resource and potentially attract users and generate revenue, despite the flaw.

[smartscraper]

Useful-informative thread.