I agree that start-up is the problem, but sometimes users who just wander in can make a question-and-answer site very successful, even if the operator is obscure. What's crucial for getting lucky this way is good usability of the site and a crew of volunteer moderators as the site develops. My best example of success in a Q and A site is College Confidential.
It isn't perfect, but it is chock full of information about the college admission process, and its online atmosphere of politeness and regard for other users' questions readily differentiates it from most other competitors running sites on the same subject. The site operator is pretty good at getting press notices and other free publicity, and quite good at search engine optimization, but mostly he's good at building a helpful and friendly online community.
Comments
I agree that start-up is the problem, but sometimes users who just wander in can make a question-and-answer site very successful, even if the operator is obscure. What's crucial for getting lucky this way is good usability of the site and a crew of volunteer moderators as the site develops. My best example of success in a Q and A site is College Confidential.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/
It isn't perfect, but it is chock full of information about the college admission process, and its online atmosphere of politeness and regard for other users' questions readily differentiates it from most other competitors running sites on the same subject. The site operator is pretty good at getting press notices and other free publicity, and quite good at search engine optimization, but mostly he's good at building a helpful and friendly online community.