Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`m floating around an idea for a website that serves as a network for local "things to do" but that, unlike the current glut of automated websites, contextualizes activities either by type (physical activities, cultural, etc.) or cost or family-appropriateness, etc.  There will be real people behind it and local expertise in evaluating the quality of each activity. 

 

Also, concierge-type service would be offered to help the guest set up said event, from anything to arranging transport to utilizing their social web network to invite and track guests, to personalizing the itinerary, etc, etc.

 

Is there a need for this service? how do I find out?  The idea occurred to me because of a situation where I needed just such a website, but perhaps I`m alone.

 

Trends that I thought might support starting such a business are - local travel has been increasing for several years, down economy means people want cost-effective recreation, participation in web 2.0 has been increasing.

 

I would appreciate any and all sincere critiques.  Thanks.  Sara 

Interesting idea.  I would check out the site www.yelp.com  The site has user reviews on small businesses at the local level.

 

You may also want to think about creating an application for existing social networking sites.  For example, could you create a `concierge application` that would provide many of the services you mentioned above and be utilized by a site like Facebook or Linkedin.

ask homeowner`s associations and development managements that oversee new movers and home buyers. they might have a thing or two to recommend/provide in terms of market demand?

 

discuss the idea with local city officials. they would probably support it seeing as it will help existing residents and others contemplating a potential move into town.

Thanks for the responses.  The idea is still evolving in my head, but I`m moving now in either of two directions:
1. straight up event planning, but focusing only on "tour" activities, ie. set up walking tours, bike rentals and guides, etc.

2.Web-based business that is single source to what to do in the local area.  I definately want to bring in the social networking stuff, reviews, etc. like you see on a lot of generic sites; but I don`t want it to look generic.  It has to have real content, blogs, reviews, etc. 

 

So my new question is about the market for this activity.  Currently, there are a lot of sites (very generic) that seem to market to 18-35 yr olds (yelp, zvent, upcoming) but that`s not my bag.  I`m wondering about taking some of the digital web aspects that make those sites work, but then moving the content more to a 35-55 yr old crowd.  Like a mix of upcoming.org and epicurious.com, if that makes sense.  Raise the level of the activities featured more toward museums, hiking, historical sites and move away from concerts, clubs, restaurants.

 

Any opinions on this.  Would this be a site anyone out there would use?