Web-based Buisness advice??

[skeating89]

Hello

Just looking for some advice...

I am looking to start a web-based buisness, i have an idea which i feel can be built on. However, i am new to all this and there are certain areas that are like a foreign language to me!

I have 2 small children and work full time so trying to fit it all in is hard work, i am just hoping it will be worth it

Does anyone know where i may find a buisness mentor? Someone for advice, to bounce crazy ideas off and some one to (maybe at times) give me reality checks!

Many thanks guys!!

 

[faradaykeynes]

this forum can be a good business mentor, try fire up your questions

 

[skeating89]

I suppose your right...i was afraid of looking silly but what the hell!

Ok so my latest...well...only pioneering idea is a social website that incorporates dating by using the Online to Offline method. Events are hosted (anything from dog walking to dinner dances) people can buy tickets or if they have purchased a monthly membership, can purchase discounted tickets. Whether is an 'arranged' date organsied through the site or a loner wanting to get out to a social event with like minded individuals i feel it will cater for everyone.

An interactive calander for each profile and even a mobile app?

Pros and Cons for this idea appreciated...! A reality check maybe?

thanks

 

[Websitehandyman]

Feel free to bounce your emails off me, I promise not to try and sell you anything.

 

[skeating89]

Feel free to bounce your emails off me, I promise not to try and sell you anything.

Thanks for that! What are you 'honest' initail thoughts of the above idea??? :redface:

 

[Websitehandyman]

Thanks for that! What are you 'honest' initail thoughts of the above idea??? :redface:

Extremely expensive to setup and prove concepts like that. Legal costs alone would run into thousands. Website would cost £50,000 plus and the plus would be perhaps £250,000 in marketing.

You could start very local on a non-profit basis using something like a Facebook group. Learn the problems and solve them their at no cost, then step up to the next level when you have a membership base to use.

 

[toastking]

Extremely expensive to setup and prove concepts like that. Legal costs alone would run into thousands. Website would cost £50,000 plus and the plus would be perhaps £250,000 in marketing.

You could start very local on a non-profit basis using something like a Facebook group. Learn the problems and solve them their at no cost, then step up to the next level when you have a membership base to use.

I was about to say you could do it a lot cheaper using Facebook etc as a starting platform to gauge opinion when you went an put it in the last paragraph. I plan to launch a system for small communities to create online presence in the near future but still testing various options but for now Facebook is the easiest platform.

I have friends who are single and use these sites and their biggest issues are the amount of nutters they meet rather than having things to do. In fact knowing the single types, organised fun isn't always the best as they are typically free spirits (big generalisation here but based on people I know, work with, friends an families). However there could be a market for it and poc using Facebook would be the best way to start IMHO.

 

[Websitehandyman]

hi hi sorry toast.

Another option might be to use Dolphin, I've had some experiance with that product but although I'm happy to answer emails, as I'm stopping all my hired web development work next year I couldn't offer much more.

http://www.boonex.com/dolphin

 

[skeating89]

Excellent food for thought! Where would i stand in terms of insurance? Wouls i be liable for people whilst they are in my arranged time?
If i were to organise a fell walk for example, for singles and people who just want to socialise.

The concept for all this is to move internet dating/social sites online to offline. eradicate awkward situations and the risk of meeting nutters as it puts individuals in a public 'organised place' such as a dinner dance. They will have a feel for people as they chat online, maybe send e-invites and have a list of people that are going visable.

Facebook sounds like a good starting point for me at this stage. drum up a bit of interest and go from there.

I Want to build my own business...this may not necessarily be the winner but its a place to kick off and get some creative thinking going!

 

[Websitehandyman]

Excellent food for thought! Where would i stand in terms of insurance? Wouls i be liable for people whilst they are in my arranged time?
If i were to organise a fell walk for example, for singles and people who just want to socialise.

The concept for all this is to move internet dating/social sites online to offline. eradicate awkward situations and the risk of meeting nutters as it puts individuals in a public 'organised place' such as a dinner dance. They will have a feel for people as they chat online, maybe send e-invites and have a list of people that are going visable.

Facebook sounds like a good starting point for me at this stage. drum up a bit of interest and go from there.

I Want to build my own business...this may not necessarily be the winner but its a place to kick off and get some creative thinking going!

I think, no an expert on this, if you create a club and include those sort of responsibilities in the rules and regs of the club then you don't need insurance. You could always partner with some broker who will allow you to offer such service to members at a cost.

 

[CrowdfundUK]

Hi - have you tried Blue Orchid? They have free support for startups.

Best wishes
Anne

 

[Yorkshire&Online]

If you ever need someone to bounce ideas off regarding tax issues, accounts and business plans, I offer free advice for start-ups.

More info here:

http://www.brown-royd.co.uk/services/business-start-ups

 

[justbought.it]

I suppose your right...i was afraid of looking silly but what the hell!

Ok so my latest...well...only pioneering idea is a social website that incorporates dating by using the Online to Offline method. Events are hosted (anything from dog walking to dinner dances) people can buy tickets or if they have purchased a monthly membership, can purchase discounted tickets. Whether is an 'arranged' date organsied through the site or a loner wanting to get out to a social event with like minded individuals i feel it will cater for everyone.

An interactive calander for each profile and even a mobile app?

Pros and Cons for this idea appreciated...! A reality check maybe?

thanks

Hi,

I highly recommend reading The Lean Startup . The book details something called the 'Minimal Viable Product' or MVP which enables you to test your hypothesis before making a huge investment.

I recommend you reach out to Dan Winchester:
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dan-winchester/2/778/980/

He's a top bloke and a successful internet entrepreneur who specialises in online dating ventures. He might be up for mentoring you but he'll want paying for his time.

I wish you well with it!

Glen.

 

[emediastudiosuk]

I currently have a web based business where I outsource a lot of the work to other freelancers in asia cheaply.

They are excellent freelancers once you find decent ones you can rely on.

I registered as an employer on both elance.com and odesk.com

You have to verify bank details a bit like PayPal.

Elance - no initial cost to verify
Odesk - $10 taken in 2 payments but then once verified they return it to you.

You can get jobs for yourself and also employ people.

 

[mankman2012]

Thought of that but it is really expensive to set up and manage. And then you have to market it. I would be inclined to suggest you to find a partner who know about setting up website and managing them. So you can do what you are good at in the business.

 

[davidowen]

Hi,
Your business idea sounds quite interesting. I think from the legal side of things, and maintaining your compliance, HR, payroll etc, it wouldnt be half as expensive as mentioned previously. Would be more than happy to help you when you get that far down the line

 

[DanSoftBridge]

If you have any questions more concerning to what technical approach you could take I'd be more than happy to advise you, shoot away with any questions regarding web dev for this but as somebody has already mentioned - its probably a better idea to outsource.

 

[Jonah E]

Hi,
No need to get worried as the new era of internet has begun and has opened many doors for work seekers. All you have to do is that, you should make a proper plan just before you start your business online which will in turn help you to prosper. Planning is the most essential part of starting any business. Secondly learn the techniques of SEO which will help you grab more traffic on your website. Then come the implementation and organization which will further your business experience.
Good luck!