The Actual Process Behind a $10.5K/Month Directory Website

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Feb 12, 2025

Frey Chu, an expert in online directories, shares his strategies for building profitable niche websites. He reveals how to identify lucrative opportunities through keyword research and competition analysis. Using dog parks as a case study, he explains the importance of validating ideas with social listening and data collection methods. Frey discusses effective monetization techniques including AdSense and affiliate marketing, showcasing how even simple directories can lead to significant passive income and larger business opportunities.

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ANECDOTE

Roadside America

Roadsideamerica.com, a directory of quirky roadside attractions, gets 85,000 monthly visitors.
Despite its outdated design, it earns $5,000-$7,000/month through display ads.

ANECDOTE

Atlas Obscura

Atlasobscura.com, a directory of off-the-beaten-path attractions, gets impressive traffic despite Google updates.
It monetizes through display ads and a book, estimated to earn $30,000-$60,000/month.

ANECDOTE

Find a Grave

Findagrave.com, a burial site directory, receives 1.4 million monthly visitors.
Primarily monetized through AdSense, it's estimated to earn $60,000-$100,000/month.

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Get the exact system used to build profitable local directories: https://www.gregisenberg.com/directory

The episode features Frey Chu explaining his methodology for building profitable directory websites, using dog parks as a case study. He demonstrates how to identify opportunities through keyword research, validate ideas through social proof, and implement a basic yet effective directory structure. The discussion emphasizes that even simple directory websites can generate significant passive income through various monetization methods, while also serving as a foundation for larger business opportunities.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
03:40 - Examples of Profitable Directories and their traffic
10:35 - Why Build Directories
12:23 - Finding and validating directory ideas
26:44 - Data collection and enrichment
42:21 - WordPress implementation
46:36 - Monetization strategies

Key Points:
• How to identify profitable directory website opportunities using keyword research and competition analysis
• Step-by-step process for validating directory ideas using Reddit and social listening
• Data collection and enrichment techniques for building comprehensive directories
• Simple implementation strategy using WordPress or other CMS platforms
• Monetization strategies including AdSense, affiliate marketing, and potential SaaS opportunities

1) First, find your niche:
• Use Ahrefs "near me" searches
• Look for 30-100K monthly searches
• Target keyword difficulty under 20
• Avoid seasonal/branded keywords
• Find niches with fragmented search intent

2) Validate your idea:
• Check competition on Google
• Look for basic/outdated directories
• Browse Reddit discussions
• Confirm real user pain points
• Set a "bounty" on weak competitors

3) Data Collection Strategy:
• Use Google Maps scraping tools (like Outscraper)
• Focus on exact category matches
• Collect key data points:

- Name, address, phone
- Reviews & ratings
- Hours & location links
- Street view images

4) Data Enrichment
• Add unique features competitors lack
• Include amenity details (shade, benches, etc)
• Use AI tools to automate enrichment
• Focus on solving specific user problems
• Make data actually USEFUL

5) Building The Directory:
• Start with simple "static pillar pages"
• Target city-specific keywords
• Include:

- Table of contents
- Location details
- Embedded maps
- Reviews
- Internal linking structure

6) Monetization Options
• Display ads (most passive)
• Affiliate partnerships
• Lead generation
• Data collection/email lists
• Potential SaaS upsell

Notable Quotes

"AdSense has been the closest thing that I've ever experienced to passive income." - Frey Chu
"People are monetizing directories wrong. They're just putting AdSense... The opportunity is actually to build software on top of these directories." - Greg Isenberg

LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/

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FIND ME ON SOCIAL

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Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

FIND FREY ON SOCIAL

X/Twitter: https://x.com/freychu
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreyChu
Frey’s Newsletter: https://shipyourdirectory.kit.com