Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hey,

I thought the headline would get some attention

I need your feedback and would appreciate any critiques and assistance on this new model I`ve just put online.

I`m going to limit my choice of words because I don`t want the search engines to pick-up this thread.

I had an existing site that sold a market -- ing program to assist those in the handy --- man industry. It sold very well which lead me to this new twist, which was thrown up over the weekend.

Take a look at this site and let me know your thoughts on marketing & promoting this service as well as any critiques you may have about the site (I`m more concerned with the content, than the design itself), but I`m willing to listen to whatever you all suggest.

Here`s the link:

http://www.handymanriches.com/atl

Once this model is perfected in Atlanta, I plan to take it to major cities (I`m hoping to get acquired, that`s the end goal).

For now the service is free to everyone until I get some activity going...afterwhich, the contractors will be charged a monthly fee to post bids.

Once perfected, I plan to take this model into other industries as well...

As for the headline for this forum topic..I really do have A.D.D.

Which I`ve found to be both a blessing and a curse --- for those who have it, I`m sure that statement makes sense

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Website Startup Coach: Step-by-Step Coaching to Help You Build a Profitable Business Online!

Hey Cartess - I`d say my primary question is going to be whether or not I want to trust my project to a handyman whom I`ve never met or had recommended to me.  Until you build out a good pool of handymen with references, I`d see a challenge to getting a lot of project listings.

Also not clear whether or not you`re using a reverse auction type format for the bidding or what - a little more explanation of that process would be great.


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chuck fuller

Hi Cartess, you have a lot of competition in what you`re trying to do. Have you checked out your major competitors? Why do you think they`ll choose you and not these other guys? Your competitors seem to be:

• Angie’s List
• InsiderPages
• JudysBook
• ServiceMagic
• Yelp
• Zipingo

All of them have a strong "rating" function so that users can differentiate the contractors listed on your site. This is what Chuck alluded to, people need to have confidence in the reliability of your contractors before this will fully work.





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-Danny E-Synthesis: Marketing + Web Design Web Design and E-Marketing Services for Small Business

Hi Cartess -  I think that price is definately important for home improvement projects, but I believe the quality of the workmanship is more important to people.  That is why people who need work done around the house are always in search of referrals.  I think quality work first, price second is what most people are looking for when they want to remodel their bathroom or kitchen etc.

Great point Danny, there are a large number of review sites out there - I would guess that one way to differentiate is to go niche, which Cartess has obviously done. The key then would be to offer a deeper level of service/value as it relates to this specific area; a level of service that those generalist review sites cannot match efficiently.

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chuck fuller

Thanks for the feedback everyone, I really do appreciate it.

I do realize there are many sites that offer a similar service. But, the only problem is that ALL of them are trying to be EVERYTHING to everybody and my model was meant to be one thing....and one thing only.

Handymen in a sense almost do ALL things too, when it comes to the type of jobs they do. It was only after I threw this up that I realized I probably should have chosen another group, such as `landscapers` (which I intend to go after next) once I finish perfecting this model & software.

Based on the feedback from you all, it seems trust is the biggest issue so I"ll go back and work on that. I didn`t really think of that in the beginning.

THe other difference with my model is the bidding process. The other services don`t offer it, which is why I was excited to test it.

So far, I have a few people who posted and bidded, my biggest challenge is going to be letting people know a site like this is available

Once again, thanks for the suggestions. It`s appreciated!

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Website Startup Coach: Step-by-Step Coaching to Help You Build a Profitable Business Online!