New business startup..need feedback please.

[rt7770]

Hi,

I am considering setting up a new business within my local area and wanted to get a professional opinion as to the validity of the service from a business and consumer perspective.

To briefly explain the service, the website offers consumers ways to save money, through local offers - which are printable deals, discounts, offers and promotions. So as a consumer you can search the website for different types of businesses, products or services and find the best deal in your local area.

The website will give local businesses a marketing platform to create and publish up to 5 different promotions, which can be edited or changed whenever they wish.

I would really appreciate any feedback.

Thanks

 

[deniser]

My only comment would be that you are probably not the first in your area. We have had someone different set up the same thing in our area every single year for the last four years at least.

Last years's was internet based where you printed off a voucher; the year before you bought a booklet of vouchers in a newsagents. This year is a variation of last years and I don't remember what the first year was exactly except that it also involved a kiosk in the station.

Each year the scheme is launched by a new person in a blaze of publicity only for that person to then vanish and something new take its place so I can only assume that none has been successful.

 

[MontagioCustomTailoring]

I agree... while i'm not in you're neck of the woods, here in Sydney this sort of thing has been done 1,000 times over. Do your research - talk to at least 50 local businesses. Find out what their real issues are and see if you can design something that fits their needs.

I've not always been in the tailoring game, and also have an internet software businesses. In the past when we tried to setup a local directory we found that local businesses essentially want 2 things:

1) More Leads
2) More Time

...and they didn't want to put in any effort, or pay for either of them

Needless to say we weren't successful.

 

[cctv installer]

Personally i think its been over done and people will soon be sick of it, as will business owners who devalue their core products by offering vouchers.

 

[MontagioCustomTailoring]

Second to that... i've been reading a few articles on the whole "lasting benefits" of coupon based sites and businesses heavily discounting their offerings.

Here's one: [FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]www . emarketer.tv / Article.aspx?R=1008532[/FONT][/FONT]

(they won't yet let me post links!)

We personally shall not be using discounting/coupon sites as we need to maintain our stance as a quality supplier in the market - and if we were to offer 50% off or 70% off it sure leaves a customer asking "well if they can afford to offer that much discount... then they're making too much, and their products must not be as premium as they say..."

In the end heavily dicsounting serves to only shoot oneself in one's foot!

 

[mhall]

I just find it amazing that people try and start a business who's sole marketing strategy is to get other businesses to subsidise them by offering their own customers a discount. I have yet to see one that guarantees new customers and: "for that reason, I'm out"

 

[rt7770]

Thanks for all the feedback, really appreciate it.
The idea is to support our local businesses through the website. By reaching out to all the universities, hospitals, local organisations and through google places search we aim to drive traffic to the website and in turn bring potential customers to the local businesses.
There are concepts similar to this but i dont think anyone has a real focus on the smaller businesses, such as the local plumbers, mechanics, florists, hairdressers etc.