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
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
Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
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?
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?
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?
A typical business had its first profitable month after 9 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do content sites fail?
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?
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.