Startup cost
$5k
TRUiC Business Ideas
How to Start a Reviews Website
Decision Snapshot
Reviews Site
Idea Score
63
Profit margin
14%
Break-even
4 mo–12 mo
Time to launch
2 wk–8 wk
Demand trend
Stable
5-yr failure rate
—
Capital intensity
Low
Time commitment
Flexible
Part 1 - How to start a Reviews Website business - Background
A reviews website provides a platform where various users can offer their thoughts and reviews on specific products and services. This provides a helpful service to your local community in helping residents determine where to spend their hard-earned money.
You may also be interested in additional online business ideas.
Our guide is in 3 parts:
- Part 1 - How to start a Reviews Site business - Background
- Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
- Part 3 - Action plan to get started
What are the costs involved in opening a reviews website?
Because it does not require an expensive business lease or even other employees, a reviews website can be started for a relatively cheap price. In fact, you may be able to launch a small business with about $5,000. Of this money, $300 goes towards purchasing the WordPress Pro Product Review Plugin for an unlimited number of sites. If you are familiar with WordPress, you can create the page yourself from the ground up, and even if you end up buying other plugins, the total cost of site creation should be $1,000 or lower. The remaining $4000 should be invested in web hosting and advertising, with an emphasis on a diverse array of online advertisements to maximize the amount of potential readers you may reach. For instance, you may advertise via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media venues, and you may advertise directly on websites designed for others who enjoy the niche you are working in.
What are the ongoing expenses for a reviews website?
If you are able to design the website yourself, the ongoing expenses for the site are minimal: you will likely be paying $200 or less per year for website hosting, and you will pay however much you desire per month on advertising (typically $500 or less after your initial advertising push at the beginning). Depending on the deals you are able to reach with sellers and/or manufacturers, you may be spending varying amounts of your own money on the products that you review.
Who is the target market?
While using online reviews is popular for many demographics, your primary market is millennials.
How does a reviews website make money?
Primarily, a reviews website makes money from advertisers who pay a particular portion based on the number of unique views that particular pages receive. There is also the ability to make money via affiliate links, but depending on your particular market, it may be worth it to avoid doing so as it can make your business look impartial.
How much can you charge customers?
This business model doesn’t charge customers directly. Rather, you will reach an agreement with advertisers that pays you based on how many views the pages with their advertisements receive. You may also consider creating an affiliate link model in which you receive a small portion of the sale when a customer follows a link on your site and buys the advertised product. In both cases, the exact amount that you receive will be negotiated and may vary from advertiser to advertiser and seller to seller.
How much profit can a reviews website make?
The exact amount of profit you can make with this business varies and depends on how many advertisers you have and how many clicks you receive. Some people do reviews merely part-time and are able to easily get $1000 a month. A successful reviews website may eventually become a six-figure business, but it will take time for your site to grow enough in both depth and reputation to make that happen.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Make sure you understand your specific niche and target audience and tailor reviews to what they want to know. Make sure you stay on the cutting edge and review the latest and greatest products rather than something without much buzz. Finally, never stop learning SEO and adapting your websites in order to maximize traffic and increase your views.
Day-to-Day and Growth
What happens during a typical day at a reviews website?
The nature of this business means that you are primarily working from home. Any given day, you may be editing or posting user reviews, negotiating with advertisers, tweaking your website, and developing new marketing to raise brand awareness.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful reviews website?
Previous experience designing commercial websites is invaluable when you are first starting your business. Networking skills are also crucial, as this can help you find advertisers and grow your business in a shorter amount of time. Finally, any prior experience working with another reviews website in any capacity helps provide valuable information about what you should (and should not) do with your own business.
What is the growth potential for a reviews website?
The growth potential for this business is steady, and may be even stronger if you choose a particular niche that is underserved. The number of review websites has steadily grown over the past ten years, and this directly correlates to consumer trust: one study by BrightLocal found that up to 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as they do personal recommendations, creating a great potential market for your new venture.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a reviews website?
Do not underestimate the importance of finding a niche. While there are major review sites for general products, it’s relatively easy to find a niche without much competition. This lets you quickly establish yourself as an authority with these products. Be sure to determine if you are trying to do affiliate marketing or not early on, as this changes the entire structure of your business. Finally, as long as the niche is viable, try to choose something you are already familiar with: it will make writing about products easier, and you may be able to start by providing reviews of things you already own.
How and when to build a team
The nature of most review websites means that you’ll likely start the site by yourself. However, because everything can be done from home, you may consider building a small team of reviewers early on to help you quickly produce content so that you can compete with other sites.
Part 2 - Is a Reviews Website business the right fit for you?
Business Evaluation & Strategy Tool
We'll walk you through the four pillars every business needs: Points of Leverage, Marketing Strategy, Financial Model, and Personal Compatibility. At the end you'll see a personalized report and your action plan below will be tailored to your answers.
Step 1 of 4 — Points of Leverage
Every viable business has natural advantages. Below are common leverage points across four categories. Pick the ones that apply to your Reviews Site business. We've pre-suggested a few based on your idea — review and adjust.
Step 2 of 4 — Marketing Strategy
Without a way to connect with customers, even great businesses fail. Pick the channels you plan to use to reach your customers.
Step 3 of 4 — Financial Model
Enter your monthly baseline costs — the minimum overhead to keep the business running. Then we'll calculate how many sales per month you need to break even.
Step 4 of 4 — Personal Compatibility
A business that doesn't fit your life will fail no matter how good the numbers look. Tell us how this business fits you.
Your Reviews Site Evaluation Report
Complete the four pillars and your personalized summary will appear here.
Points of Leverage
Marketing Strategy
Financial Model
Personal Compatibility
Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Reviews Website business in 90 days
Nine concrete steps to take you from idea to open business, grouped into 30-day phases. Complete the planner above and we'll highlight what's most important for your situation.
First 30 days — Foundation
-
Form your legal entity
An LLC keeps your personal assets separate from business debts and lawsuits — the most common reason small business owners choose this structure. Sole proprietorships and partnerships do not provide this protection.
-
Get an EIN and register for taxes
Apply for your free Employer Identification Number through the IRS, then register for any state or local taxes that apply to your business (sales tax, franchise tax).
-
Open a business bank account and credit card
A dedicated business account is required to maintain personal asset protection. Mixing personal and business finances ('piercing the corporate veil') can void your LLC's liability shield.
-
Set up business accounting
Recording expenses and income from day one makes tax filing easier and lets you see when the business is actually profitable. Use software (QuickBooks, Wave) or a part-time bookkeeper.
Days 30–60 — Compliance & Risk
-
Get permits and licenses
State and local requirements vary widely. Brick-and-mortar businesses typically need a Certificate of Occupancy; service businesses may need specific professional licensing; food businesses need health permits.
-
Get business insurance
General Liability Insurance is the most common starting point. If you'll have employees, most states require Workers' Compensation. Specific industries need additional coverage (product liability, professional liability, etc.).
Days 60–90 — Launch
-
Define your brand
Your brand is how customers perceive and remember you. A clear name, logo, and visual identity make every later marketing decision easier and protect you legally as you grow.
-
Create your business website
Every legitimate business needs a website. Social media pages are not a substitute — you don't own the platform. Modern website builders mean you can launch a clean site in a weekend without a developer.
-
Set up your business phone system
A dedicated business number keeps your personal life private, makes the business look legitimate, and lets you route calls professionally. Cloud phone services start under $20/month.