Zwemindex

"A Dutch-language directory of all swimming pools and open water swim spots in the Netherlands, with location search, accessibility focus, and affiliate-driven monetization."
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zwemindex.nl
Maker: kasperkamperman
~$500 (timeframe unspecified, likely annual) from affiliate links for waterparks with hotels and wellness

Marketing Channels

Primary

Press outreach

Creator reached out to news sites directly, which drove traction

Primary

Media interviews

Got interviewed as an example project, which boosted visibility

Ongoing

SEO / Content

Static HTML pages cached via Cloudflare, optimized for search intent around swimming locations

Secondary

Blog / Technical writing

Published a technical write-up on the backend architecture (Google Sheets to MongoDB sync)

Growth Levers

  • Expand affiliate partnerships with more swimming-related businesses (gear shops, swim lessons, holiday parks)
  • Add user-generated content like reviews and photos to increase engagement and SEO
  • Create seasonal content (summer swimming guides, winter indoor pool roundups) to capture search traffic
  • Build an email newsletter for swim enthusiasts to drive repeat visits
  • Pursue partnerships with Dutch tourism boards or local municipalities
  • Add a mobile app or PWA for on-the-go pool discovery

First Customer Strategy

Started with open data from the Dutch government on open water swim spots, then expanded to public pools. Gained initial traction by getting interviewed as an example project and proactively reaching out to news sites. The site's focus on mobile usability and accessibility helped retain visitors.

Pricing Insight

No direct pricing — monetized through affiliate links (waterparks with hotels, wellness) that align with user search intent. Creator deliberately avoids Google ads to maintain site quality.

Key Takeaways

  • • Government open data can be a powerful foundation for building niche directory sites
  • • Affiliate links aligned with user intent outperform generic ads in both revenue and user experience
  • • Proactive press outreach and positioning as an example project can generate meaningful early traction
  • • Simple tech stacks (PHP, shared hosting, Cloudflare) can run cost-effectively at scale
  • • Accessibility and mobile-first design are competitive differentiators for public-facing information sites
  • • Deliberate avoidance of intrusive ads preserves user trust and site quality

Sentiment Analysis

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