Suffers from the same problem as some of the others you've been listing, popular term but no real commercial element. It is going to be struggle street no matter what is done, would not be developing this.
Having thought about this a bit more, I have to agree with Snoopy's observations in this instance (as much as it pains me! ).
At first glance it's a great name, but you have organisations like the RACQ and other State and Territory government departments providing interactive information: e.g. http://www.racq.com.au/travel/Maps_and_Directions/road_conditions
Having said that, you certainly shouldn't lose money on the domain. Be good if you can somehow get a feed of updated road conditions from somewhere; throw in some adsense and affiliate ads and you're on the road. Pardon the pun!
Coastal Watch is a site that makes money from memberships, donations, advertising and sales from their store.
But I guess surfies are more passionate about waves and swells than drivers are about roads.
When the business model gets down to "donations" that is pretty grim.
When the business model gets down to "donations" that is pretty grim.
They employ 5 people at least so it's not that grim
http://www.coastalwatch.com/news/article.aspx?articleId=3599
The point is coastalwatch have a business model that according to you is unviable - giving free swell forecasts and surf reports etc.
However they are a profitable business employing 5 people because they do what they do very well. I'm on there at least twice a day anyway
Remember Facebook is free, Google didn't make any money for years. I wouldn't be surprised if Larry & Sergey didn't hustle for a few donations in the first place either (they launched Google on the Stanford website)
Coastal Watch is a site that makes money from memberships, donations, advertising and sales from their store.
Suffers from the same problem as some of the others you've been listing, popular term but no real commercial element. It is going to be struggle street no matter what is done, would not be developing this.
is not necessarily true and coastalwatch.com is a fine example of how if you do something well, even with a not obvious commercial aim, you will get traffic which one way or another can deliver a decent enough income for you to call it a business.
David, nothing is known about its financials. If you do have anything please present it, otherwise it is just guesswork.
To me it does not look like something run to make a profit.
Of course I don't know intimate details of it's financials. But it is a massive website with hundred's of thousands of monthly visitors (Hitwise winners, Alexa ranking 46,000 etc). They have been on TV frequently (I remember seeing their office - nothing flash but a genuine little office) as well as frequently the go to guys for the rest of the media.....
Anyway It's not for me to have to prove that this company makes money and it's not unprofitable or run by volunteers. They say they employ 5 people and I have no reason to doubt it.
Oh for what it's worth, they aren't alone. Very hard to make money in surfing (the typical surfer spends about $600/year on a board and $15 on wax - that's it!). It's a hugely 'un-lucrative' niche however realsurf.com, swellnet.com.au and Aquabumps.com.au all make a decent living running websites off surfing.
Back to the topic - you can make money almost ANYWHERE on the internet so don't be put off by the snoopy doomsayers. Of course 100,000 visitors on a credit card site are worth more than 100,000 visitors on a recipes site but if you have a good idea and do it well, get the traffic then the money will come...
PS http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/18/us-cheezeburger-idUSTRE70H3I620110118
"We're working hard to keep the service free for everyone but if you're stoked with what you get then become a full supporter and help keep Coastalwatch up rain, hail or shine. "
"Become a hardcore supporter and get an entry into the major prize comps and keep our massive data bills at bay"
"Hardcore contribution is anything over $60 per year."