🤔 Hard vs Easy

working through a decision

Author

Shawna Newman
May 18, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

I was recently doing some keyword research and I ended up with a nice list of directory site ideas.

But one of them really stands out to me.

Partly because I know the niche and I know the RPM is high.

And partly cause by nature it has a moat. (a temporary one)

Sponsored

Start learning AI in 2025

Keeping up with AI is hard – we get it!

That’s why over 1M professionals read Superhuman AI to stay ahead.

  • Get daily AI news, tools, and tutorials

  • Learn new AI skills you can use at work in 3 mins a day

  • Become 10X more productive

Sponsored

Finding The Time Though

The idea in question is a local one. It would be for a USA-focused directory, broken down by state and then city.

But here’s the thing - you can’t find these on Google Maps.

It will take SO long to source all the data to get started.

After launching, I could put a form on the site so that people can submit to so I don’t have to keep searching.

The fact that the info is hard to find, and you can’t scrape/automate it in any way that I’ve found, gives you a moat.

Finding the time is going to be a challenge though.

And there’s always the risk that some asshat will come along and scrape the site once I’ve done all the hard work.

I keep changing my mind on if I should do this one or not.

I want to do it. But I’m just not sure.

Sponsored

News you’re not getting—until now

Join 4M+ professionals who start their day with Morning Brew—the free newsletter that makes business news quick, clear, and actually enjoyable.

Each morning, it breaks down the biggest stories in business, tech, and finance with a touch of wit to keep things smart and interesting.

Sponsored

Coming up…

More on what I’m working on and how it’s going.

Stay awesome,

Shawna

P.S. If you’re looking for high level discussions or tips on things like local SEO and Rank & Rent, I highly recommend Jacky Chou’s Advise community. I’ve been in it for over a year now (I think?) and there’s tons of value in it, including a SOP for local SEO.

How I Can Help You -

🤝 Join My Skool Community - Join like-minded people talking about online businesses and making money online.

🎥 My YouTube Course - Everything I know about creating Faceless YouTube channels for your sites (or as standalone channels).

🤑 Growth Cupid - Anything you need to grow a website, my team can do it. (use code SKIPBLAST for 15% off anything)

☎️ 30-Minute Consulting Session - Need to talk through something with your website or online business? Let’s get something set up!

Some links may be affiliate links. I 💖 you if you use one!