Running a deal-aggregator vs a niche authority site — different game, different exit

Running a deal-aggregator vs a niche authority site — different game, different exit

People ask which to build. They're not the same business.

— Deal/coupon aggregator: traffic from urgency and freshness. High volume, low loyalty, dies if you stop updating daily. Thin margins, scale on automation.

— Niche authority site: traffic from trust and search rankings. Slow build, but high EPC, defensible, and brands chase YOU for deals.

My aggregator did 50k visits/mo at a 0.6% conversion. My niche site did 8k visits at 3.1%. The niche site earned more AND brands offered it exclusive codes the aggregator never got.

Aggregators are a treadmill. Authority sites are an asset.

If you only build one, build the asset. Pick your niche this week.