A typical content site worldwide that's still open after three years brings in $4.1k a month ($49.1k a year) and keeps about $46 of every $100. That leaves about $22.6k a year.
The top 10% make more than $19k a month. The bottom 10% make under $879.
Thinking of starting a content site?
- Typical cost to start
- $2k
- Still open after 3 years
- 48%
Monthly revenue by year
Estimate · For businesses still trading at each point.
| Year | Bottom 25% | Typical | Top 25% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $700 | $1,700 | $4,300 | $9,700 |
| Year 3 | $1,800 | $4,100 | $9,200 | $19,000 |
| Year 5 | $2,300 | $5,300 | $12,400 | $26,400 |
Year 3 monthly revenue
How much does it cost to start?
Typical cost to start: $2,000.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| First 40 articles (writers) | $1,300 |
| Domain, theme & hosting | $300 |
| Photos & tools | $300 |
| Working capital | $200 |
Where the money goes
Estimate · Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
Estimate · 48% are still trading after three years, and 40% after five. These are the reasons owners gave for closing:
What the successful ones do
- Built an email list as well as search traffic
- Earned from three or more affiliate programmes
- Updated old articles every quarter
Verified content sites on HumDays
Trailnotes
“I update every old review each spring. Fresh pages are what keep the readers coming.”
Questions people ask
Is a content site profitable?
Estimate · Usually, if it survives. A typical content site worldwide keeps about $46 of every $100 in sales by year three, which on typical sales leaves about $22.6k a year. 52% close within three years.
How much does it cost to start a content site?
Estimate · The typical cost to start is $2k. The biggest items are first 40 articles (writers) and domain, theme & hosting.
How long until a content site makes a profit?
Estimate · A typical business had its first profitable month after 9 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do content sites fail?
Estimate · The most common reason owners give is “a search engine change cut the traffic” (38% of closures), followed by “owner stopped writing” (20%).
Is a content site seasonal?
Estimate · November–December peak for affiliate sales. Survivors plan cash around the quiet months.
Ask content or affiliate site owners
No questions about content sites yet. Ask the first one.