I rarely make a website based on fads or something the government could regulate tomorrow and make your site worthless overnight.
I try to stick to products and things that people need and use every day. When you chase after a niche you are usually too late already and have to play catch up.
I have sites on coffee, cars, books, health, checks, NASCAR.
Whenever I chased a fad it failed and I lost interest quickly because it wasn’t something that interest me and I was trying to chase money. Before I choose to make a website in something that is hot and trending I ask myself would Warren Buffet do this.
The latest example I can think of is spinners. They came and went so fast the $1 stores don’t even push them. My friend Jim who does farmers markets told me he was gonna go out and buy 10,000 of them because that all he saw at all the booths at the Farmers markets.
I asked him if he saw anyone buying them. He didn’t know. He saw people picking them up but they weren’t buying the way he thought they were.
I was in Circle k earlier that morning and saw the spinners on the checkout counter for 25 cents. I said to myself the fad is over. I quickly told him that he shouldn’t buy any and that was the best advice ever.
It is ok to chase a fad if it is absolutely something you are interested in and you understand it as that. You should have your website base made and making money beforehand though.
The Importance of Longevity Over Trends
Chasing fads can seem tempting, especially when a product or idea appears to be gaining a lot of attention. However, trends often have short lifespans, and by the time you’ve invested, the market might already be moving on. While some quick wins can come from hopping on a popular trend, the reality is that long-term success comes from focusing on products or services that offer lasting value to your customers.
Why Fads Can Fail
One of the main reasons chasing fads can backfire is that you’re likely to lose interest when the hype dies down, which makes it hard to stay motivated to maintain the website or business you’ve created. Furthermore, government regulations or market shifts can quickly turn a hot trend into a liability. For instance, investing heavily in a short-lived product could leave you with unsold inventory, similar to the spinner example mentioned earlier.
How to Spot a Fad vs. a Trend
Before investing time and resources into a new idea, ask yourself the following:
- Does this product or service solve a problem that will continue to exist over time?
- Are people willing to pay for this solution now and in the future?
- Is there sustainable interest in the niche, or is it just a temporary spike?
Focus on Your Passion and Expertise
The most successful online ventures are those based on interests and expertise that you are passionate about. When you chase a product solely for its current popularity, you’re missing out on the long-term satisfaction and success that comes from working in a field you genuinely care about.
Building a Sustainable Website
When building a website, focus on content and products that you believe in and have proven staying power. This ensures you’re not constantly reworking your strategy to chase the next big thing. It’s also crucial to build a website that offers real value to your users, which will help you gain trust and repeat customers over time. The more value you build the better the chances are that you will be on the first page of Google.