Business Idea, Please Comment

[Smiz]

Hello

I have had a little idea for a business this morning and would like to know your initial thoughts.

Basically, it is an advertising service for tradesmen only (builders, plumbers etc.). I would start a website that they can advertise on, there would be a limited number of businesses that could advertise in each category.

I would charge £10 a month to advertise on the site, they have their details on the site, reviews of their business etc.

I would advertise the site in the local paper and deliver leaflets through people's doors.

What do you think?

[Beale]

Make First 50 sign ups free and list on ebay , then when youve gt a customer base and users , make it £5 per month for more business , hope that helps

[myfayt]

That is what angieslist.com is, they are your direct competition.

[awayoflife]

I actually posted a post almost identical to this a few months ago. I rang several plumbers to see if they would be interested in the idea. About a third of them were. They said that they had already been submitted to several directories and that they didnt feel the need to subscribe to another one.

Where are you based? I would be interested in exchanging ideas with you on the topic.

[ChrisBenjamin]

You may get some initial subscribers but unless you are driving traffic and the subscribers are seeing direct sales as a result of being listed, you'll lose them. Getting people to sign up is one thing, keeping them there and bringing in people is the next. Agreed, angieslist.com is a big competitor, and most people I talk to don't even know of them. You have a bit of a uphill battle beating the traditional methods of finding service providers such as the yellow pages, quick google search, or getting a referral from a friend.