Don’t Spread Yourself Too Thin
Both new and old web entrepreneurs fall to a fatal flaw. They spread themselves too thin. They start up too many websites/projects and as a result can’t handle with the workload.
If you start up a website you should be prepared to follow through on it. Creating and running successful websites takes time (and there are only so many hours in a day). Creating and running multiple successful websites takes even more time. This being said, creating and running multiple unsuccessful websites also takes, you guessed it, time!
You’ll quickly find if you spread yourself too thin, all your websites suffer. You don’t have as much time to devote to your successful website(s) and your multiple other websites don’t get the attention they deserve.
I am a huge believer in getting one project up to a reasonable level before starting another. I do have quite a few projects on the go, but most are at a manageable level that takes a fraction of the work that I needed to put into them to get them to that level. By doing this, I can take on more projects but still keep my successful ones just that, successful.
What I do before I take on any new project is ask myself, “Can I handle this?” I evaluate the time I think the project will take me to get it to a manageable level and how much time per day I’ll have to spend on it afterwards. I then look at how much time my current projects take up and how much free time I truly have to devote to a new project/website.
If I think I can manage it, I may try it out, but if it proves to be too work intensive to the point where it starts to hurt my other websites/projects, I may put it on the backburner.
By doing this, I keep my work load manageable. There are only so many hours in a day and you need to manage your time wisely to keep on top of everything. Having too many websites/projects that you’re building at once can be extremely detrimental to your web business.
So, before you start up your next project, take a look at where your websites currently are. Are they at a manageable level already or do you have any problems right now keeping up with your websites workload. If you even have the slightest problem, maybe a new website isn’t for you, right now. Maybe you should instead focus on building your current websites to a manageable level that frees up more time for a new website/project.
Remember, you can always come back to an idea later. Other opportunities will come along (if you have to pass one up), but it’s better to take advantage of opportunities at a time when you can really utilize them. If you try and take on too much work you could be jeopardizing your other websites while not being able to fully put the time and effort into the new project/website that it truly deserves.
If you spread yourself too thinly, you may just “fall through the ice”. It is better to be safe, in this regard, than sorry 
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You should have a 80 - 20 focus. 80% of your effort should be on blogs / site which generate most of the cash and prioritise your efforts accordingly
ZKs last blog post..The Story of The Gurus
I think this is a “bug” that many people have. They get so pumped up that they start a lot of projects simultaneously. I personally have it as I’ve got a lot of projects going on at once. Thank god that it’s still summer for me or else all my sites will probably suffer. I’m thinking of selling a few projects to prevent myself from falling through the ice.
Statics last blog post..What Do You Do On Weekends?
i’m guilty of this.
i have 3 fully blown, produced sites.
and other, many domains sitting idle.
@ Static - yeah, for sure! They then feel the bit and get discouraged when few projects take off. Might be a good idea at this point if you’re feeling stressed. Selling them can get you some funding for the successful ones as well.
@ Lawrence - I hear you, kudos on the three sites though!
I have to admit that is so me I create way to many websites never go through with them lol guess its off to site point to sell a couple of them
“Take a look at where your websites currently are”- These are perfect words to be written on the desktop before thinking of starting a new blog or site. I really love this post…
Adsensings last blog post..How to Get Free PR-6 Link in No Time?
I have had to agree with you, Mattaw. A lot of entrepreneurs think they can handle a dozen of projects and make all of those succeed.
I believe in the principle of focusing and stabilizing one project first before going on and starting another.
Lucass last blog post..How to Know If You Possess Great Marketing Skills
It’s so easy to do with “online ideas/business” because you can “start something” literally within a couple hours. However, turning it into a solid project is something entirely different.
I’d like to write more about this, but I’m overloaded with too many projects right now, so I’ll have to come back.
Cheers!
Jay
I see this every day, many startups especially bloggers just do not understand how much time it really takes to pay attention to the details and run a polished site. 6 months after my own blogs launch I can see the mistakes I made running myself to thin.
Take baby steps and get comfortable with what your doing and set a pattern. After you have reached that level you can expand and rinse/repeat as mattaw has told us here today.
Big Ben Pattons last blog post..The Best Plugins For WordPress
guilty as charged! i don’t know how to stop myself from buying domains when i know i don’t have time to develop any of it.
stupid, huh?
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@ Nick - I’ve been telling you this since day 1. Some of your sites have true potential but they are hindered because you have too many things on the go!
@ Adsensing - Thanks
@ Lucas - You and me both buddy!
@ Suite J - Yeah, thats the problem, it’s easy to start up but hard to maintain, perhaps in the future I’ll have to write about this again for you he he
@ Ben - Yup, slow and steady wins the race!
@ Manuel - Not stupid, but definitely fixable, put some projects on hold and just focus on the ones that you know can/are doing well!
I fell into this right from the get-go many moons ago. I’m in it somewhat now, but not too bad.
Awesome and true article
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You and I are totally on the same wavelength, as far as this topic is concerned. I agree completely.
Spreading oneself too thin never seems to accomplish very much in the long run, whether online or in the real world.
Kandi @ The Candy Lists last blog post..Candy List Spotlight || Incredible PEZ Dispensers and More
Man, I must have come to your site today for a reason because this is exactly what I needed to hear. I have been spreading myself out as of late and I really do know that this is a bad idea and shouldn’t be doing it.
But sometimes it takes someone else to tell you to get your act together. That is what I got from your post, “FREDDIE, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER!.”
LOL! Cool, I will adhere to the advice and focus a little bit longer. I am developing niche sites, but I should ensure that one is functional and out the door before another takes up too much time.
so true, commented a bit more on this on a newer blog post of yours. as i mentioned in the other comment, I have weeded thru my portfolio of websites to focus on projects that are ones that are at least generating enough revenue to cover their domain registration fees and that I have an interest in the niche and have had some passion to generate some content already.