Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

After I read Shane`s posting on "differentiating - muffins" I thought it would be a good idea to ask for help as well (I know, I know...thinking about muffins are so much more fun!).

Anyway, I have a website called wine for newbies (www.winefornewbies.com) that I am not looking into having it redesigned - I posted a project on eLance for that.

Before I actually change anything on the site, I would like to have some suggestions as to what I could do to make it a better and different site.

Today I have the basic info almost any wine site has: wine reviews, calendar of events, articles, how-to, a small store.

What else can I offer to my visitors? How to have my site stand out?

Thanks,



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Andre Costa DaCosta Chocolates, LLC www.DaCostaChocolates.com

Nice site, what about a wine appreciation club or a wine forum?

Stuart

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Business Development Services

Stuart,

Thank you for the ideas...I will look into it. But don`t you think that would only add two functionalities that already exist on other sites (I am not saying I won`t use the ideas, which I must, as these are obviously things I missed when first setting up the site)?

What about something more unusual? I just hit a wall!!!



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Andre Costa DaCosta Chocolates, LLC www.DaCostaChocolates.com

How about a section describing different types of wines, by production region and/or grape variety?

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Oleg Issers | StartupNation.com Web Team

50% of computer programming is trial and error. The other 50% is copy and paste.

Oleg,

That`s a nice idea. Thank you.

Again, I think I should have done that from the start, but the idea never came to me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.


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Andre Costa DaCosta Chocolates, LLC www.DaCostaChocolates.com

To compete with other wine sites (of which I am sure there are plenty), I think you should focus on a niche.  Right now your niche is wine.  What if your niche were more specific, a certain aspect of the wine industry?  I suggest not adding more services and features, rather getting rid of most of them.  Then grow only those parts of the service.

For example, make your site THE site for recommendations.  Expand on that idea as much as you can.  Break it down by price, type, etc.  Maybe have a feature where people can enter in a meal (grilled halibut, steamed carrots, tomato bisque), hit enter and then the site lists recommendations broken down by price, region, and maybe a rating system for how well it goes with the meal.  I`m just making stuff up here.

Don`t try to be the all-purpose wine site. Focus your niche on information or services that are very very specific.

CampSteve,

That`s a wonderful perspective. I will keep that in mind and try to find my niche! Great idea...thanks.

SuN never disappoints!


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Andre Costa DaCosta Chocolates, LLC www.DaCostaChocolates.com

Here is a link to an article about differentiation in hypercompetitive markets. Not specific to wine but there are valuable points for anyone in any industry. Signup may be required, but it`s from Wharton School of Business. Worthwhile.

CookieMonster, thank you for the great article. I will download the PDF provided.

Have a great weekend!


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Andre Costa DaCosta Chocolates, LLC www.DaCostaChocolates.com

I`m going to add even more Niche the Steve`s niche... (It`s funny, CampSteve seems to get my creative juices flowing... I think my creative juices flow Merlot most of the time)  Going with what CampSteve said about your recommendations and REALLY focusing on Wine for NEWBIES I remember back in the day when....

"You walk into a wine shop you are in a wine shop and you have a pretty good idea of what you want. But as you wander around the shop you realize that there are so many different wines and the prices vary so much.
What do you do? In my case I usually look for a nice looking bottle that is not too expensive and I buy it, hoping people will like it."

I needed someone (or somesite) to break it down for me in a fun and informative way.  Really talk to Newbies in THEIR language then tell them what it means in Winespeak. 

I don’t like that bitey feeling on my tongue= winespeak translation “I am looking for a red without a lot of tannins” (then offer a suggestion)

 

I’m looking for something cold, fruity and easy drinking=wine speak translation “Can I please try a Pinot Grigio?”(Then offer a suggestion)

 

If you are marketing to Newbies… think like a newbie. 

I know it’s hard after YEARS of drinking, but I do remember my early twenties and what I started out liking, what I graduated to and what I like now are all VERY different wines.  Wine drinking is a progression.  Start with your market from the beginning and work with them.  I didn’t know what “OAKY” or “GRASSY” meant and sure as heck wish someone would have told me in plain ol English!  Anyway, you get the idea. Speak the language of a newbie and give them a translation that they can take to the store and feel confident saying along with a recommdeation, maybe even in 2 price ranges.

 

If you can`t take yourself back there to Newbie status, you can even ask some friends who has never really gotten into wines to have them drink different kinds and have them discribe what they taste.

I guarantee they won’t be throwing out words like balance, finish, nose, and dry.  THEIR discriptions are what you want to be using to speak to your target market.

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms