Hi, I am thinking of setting up a website for sport fans containing results, fixtures and league tables. I am going to be entering data myself from what i see during games but it has been suggested that i need permission from the league organisers. I would have thought if i was not stealing the content from other sites i would be allowed. The site would be free to view but i may look to sell some ad space on it so I would make money from it. Does anyone know for sure?
I think you need to review your ambitions here - relaying results is not an USP.
The only kind of content that you are definitely not steling is content you write yourself.
Readers of your website may come for the results, but they'll stay for an incisive commentary and words worth reading.
Become good enough and you may be able to syndicate your work to mainstream media.
If writing words endless isn't your thing, don't be afraid to tie in with someone who's thing it is.
Develop one year, three-year and five-year business plans.
The whole money-from-website clicks thing has lost its shine for advertisers over the years.
Most advertising companies are wise to all the pup up, pup under, click through and referring tricks to bump up the counters.
Become a content provider as opposed to a relay station, would be my strong advice - but take complainer's comments on board, because you can only see so much yourself.
Specialize in a sport or a team at first, perhaps set up two competing websites for different teams to generate interest, offer memberships [although monitoring and control take time too], that sort of thing.
Consider letting us know on AAM how you get on.
ONQ.