Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`m wondering if you guys think the following website has potential for becoming popular and making money.  Please keep in mind at this point its not much more than proof of concept and I`m sure I`ve horribly broken the XHTML integrating everything into the template.  It started as just a link directory, and I may go back to that, but its kind of grown a mind of its own.

The idea is to provide a online service to educate those individuals looking to repair their car, computer, home etc.  Tutorials or articles, provided by vendors who specialize in that particular service, will point these individuals in the appropriate direction for how to start.  Now should that individual get frustrated or decide after seeing the tutorial that its more than he or she wants to take on he/she can go to the online directory to find a service provider in their area.

Revenue Stream – 1. From the individual looking to repair – By selling books, tools / products related to that particular repair.  2. Vendors – They will get listed for free but for a small fee they can add a vendor approved logo which signifies the following: 1^st That at least 5 customers have left positive comments regarding their service.  2^nd We have sent 2 “mystery shoppers” to their location to evaluate the service. 3^rd When issues do crop up they are resolved appropriately. 3. From affiliate links on the main page.  (Pay for PR boost)  4. Contextual advertising such as Google`s Adsense or Yahoo`s Overature.

I`ve got about 5 hours in it so far so it definately won`t break my heart if you think its crap.  Actually I`ve got so many other projects that I`m kindof looking for something to cut.  Thanks in advance for any input you can give.

http://www.learnrepair.com

netrix,

Without question I feel it is possible to be successful as long as you address certain issues.

• Make your site available to the general public.
• Make your market aware of your program.
• Have something that people will want
• Make it a one stop shop/destination location
• Do it all better than your competition

to mention a few.

I know this sounds  like  "how can you talk so basic" but people dont create enough of a competitive advantage in these areas and many more to differentiate themselve from their competition.

Good Luck and hopefully when I get in position I could help you out.

Mike

In my humble opinion, the most successful sales/traffic drive is being positioned as an/the "expert."  You need to position the site as "the expert" in do-it-yourself repair.  In order for it to be successful, you`re going to need to make it so that if I want to learn how to repair almost anything myself, I can go to learnrepair.com and get the information I need.

And that means content, content, more content, organization, & searchability.

If you spent the proper amount of time developing the content, offering different kinds of resources (weekly repair podcast? repair tips e-newsletter?), maybe team up with a well known repair expert that maybe does a column in national newspapers (to drive extra traffic), etc. it would rock.  It`s a great idea.  I haven`t researched market competitors, but at initial look, the idea has potential.

It`s a steep hill to climb, IMHO, to collect the depth of information, market properly and create the partnerships you could need to be successful upon public rollout.  Not saying you shouldn`t do it, or it wouldn`t be immensely rewarding, but be ready for the challenge because for it to be really be successful there will need to be a good deal of time put in.

I know there are services my company offers that I would consider advertising in that model.  I don`t know how much it`d be worth to me, but I`d listen to a pitch.

Only my two cents, and best of luck with it.


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"It`s not work, it`s network!"

Portage Media Solutions
http://www.portagemedia.com
My Blog: http://www.interactivemediatips.com

it`s a cool concept if it`s organized and searchable like digitalvision313 said. That`s my half cent worth. Only a half cent because I only repeated digitalvision313.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

you know that I am definitely not seeking high score on NationStart by saying things people like - Question(s) 1. where did you get the website idea? 2. what about the website idea leads you to believe that there is a demand for the topic? ....my guess is that if you find avenues that lead to financial transactions, and make improve processes / there`s nothing from keeping you from making it successful! just use caution in advising people when there`s potential of injury(sorry - but i know we sometimes feel secure behind the t1 cable!!), its much better if the providers of info. tell what they did, not what should be done

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I am no longer posting on this forum. A fellow citizen here suggested that I should Think before I add commitary to my postings. I thought he was wrong, but I am mistaked(not everyone digs Mr.Wicks) E

after sleeping on the subject i would like to add....i think your overall site feel is solid, much better than most i`ve seen (and I hope that i don`t sound like Simon on American Idol) but there are some areas that could use improvement. i don`t know whether I would have used the URL, and i don`t know whether i like the wrench in the image (its bent - i won`t be anymore critical than this), and the site is a little dry(almost boring). sorry, sorry, sorry !!! Couldn`t you add some photos of people in the repair process - here is a list of successful websites:

http://results.sitesell.com/#business

I think your first question was better - that of offering web services, maybe offer a $15.95 special to get people on the web (you setup their url, and space - you could use a basic template and they provide photo(s) and content - then you could charge for additional services rendered - as addon costs), just keep replicating the basic site and email them for more stuff$.

How long would it take to modify the site you already built for someoneelse to kick-off?

Also, you might want to create a site that attracks a lot of views to it - and link to others site (for hits to B site), I will send you a quick suggestion through email. thanks.

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I am no longer posting on this forum. A fellow citizen here suggested that I should Think before I add commitary to my postings. I thought he was wrong, but I am mistaked(not everyone digs Mr.Wicks) E

SiteBuildIt / SiteSell. I`ve been there. (paid member in the past) It`s a system worth looking into.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

I didn`t mean to say buy Site Built-it - but it was mensioned to give examples of working sites. Tell me I am wrong - but I think that anyone could duplicate the sites, and struggle to make theirs a success, too!

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I am no longer posting on this forum. A fellow citizen here suggested that I should Think before I add commitary to my postings. I thought he was wrong, but I am mistaked(not everyone digs Mr.Wicks) E

Absolutely misterwicks2006. I learned a bit about content with my involvement with SiteBuildIt. I really have nothing bad to say about the business. I think we can learn a lot from their presentation and sales tactics.

To return to netrix, I would say, "Yes." That type of site would do well in my opinion. Just be sure to have good methods and well written documentation. You would be able to tie it to related book sales, and advertising space too.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words