Hyperlocal websites have for a long time been an albatross of the 2.0 world; many have tried to create vibrant startups in the space, and many have failed.
There is some argument about the definition of hyperlocal; some say
its news at a town or suburb level, while others argue its news for a
community, but not an entire city or large town. For the purposes of
this post, Hyperlocal means community news, serving a town or local
Government area, often below a large city or State.
That there is demand for community news is a given, the issue has been delivering hyperlocal news online with a sustainable business model.
The problem so far has been one primarily driven by competition: many
towns and local communities have been served by a local community
newspaper for years, and while some of the attention has switched
online, the switch hasn’t been large enough so far to sustain
hyperlocal news sites that by their very nature have a limited and
small audience constrained by geography.
2009 though will be different. Hyerlocal websites, both existing and
those to launch will thrive as they become the only place to find
community news; in 2009 community newspapers will fold in record
numbers.
