Hello Opinions Please YE sneekpeek

[davep]

Hello

Next week our directory will go fully public in an Alpha version

This link is to the more complete part

http://www.blockseek.com/themall/department.htm

Please feel free to comment/negative feedback are welcome (Just remember this is an alpha version)

Our goal as a company is to be one of the top directories online.
Differentiation? If you look at the site, tell me if there is anything else
like it.

We will have more options and features coming along the line.

This is a YE sneekpeek preview.

I would like to track our progress on YE ONLY.

The submit site should be functional, everyone is welcome to submit their sites

dave p

[nado]

um, no.

There are hundreds of thousands of online directories and yours doesn't seem to offer anything that others don't.

Only looks like you're trying to do a mdhp/directory thing where you're making a complete page of ads.

Sorry to be so blunt... but get out of this venture NOW before you waste any more time/money on it.

[MpyreDzirez]

::sound effect:: Waum, waum, waum

It looks to me like the reason you think it's different is the physical appearance of your site. I would give it a 5 out of ten...or "just there" status.

I tried to think of how to make it better, but i really just think you should go back to the drawing board.

I have a few really hot advertising site ideas...I just don't have time to get to them right now. I would need to be compensated to give up my ideas.

[akula]

nado is correct

on the face of it, the venture fails all tests which signal startup potential

[davep]

Nays: 3 Ayes: 1

hmm i should have put the link to the 'porn' sites up first maybe

well it's ok, all your points are valid, but i was really looking for more insight
on functionality, useability and not comments on the business plan
although there weren't any compaints in navigating the site?

and we know there is so much competition, but we're not looking to take on google and yahoo right off the bat, we are too into this now so stopping now is not an option

please put yourself in the shoe of someone who is shopping online and wants to have all the links to any store in a mall in 3-4 clicks (you can't just google or yahoo mall directory) and get all these links

davep

[Steve White]

To be honest I don't see what your doing thats any different to a lot of other sites out there. Also, the site design is sub par, and the green colour...well it's just...green!

Sorry, but as the others said, leave this venture now!

[dre]

Right now I am in between. I have to know what you plan on doing to make your site stand out. If you can tell us something big that will set you apart from others then you might get more positive feedback.

[akula]

dre!!! long time no see

how you doing?

[akula]

Nays: 3 Ayes: 1

hmm i should have put the link to the 'porn' sites up first maybe

well it's ok, all your points are valid, but i was really looking for more insight
on functionality, useability and not comments on the business plan
although there weren't any compaints in navigating the site?

and we know there is so much competition, but we're not looking to take on google and yahoo right off the bat, we are too into this now so stopping now is not an option

please put yourself in the shoe of someone who is shopping online and wants to have all the links to any store in a mall in 3-4 clicks (you can't just google or yahoo mall directory) and get all these links

davep

No, davep, I'm sorry. Your problem formulation is incorrect. The people paying you are the advertisers. You do not have a competitive solution for people's advertising needs. Likewise, you do not have an elegant solution to people's online shopping needs.

The words you use, suggest that you're smart in relation to picking commercial opportunities. Do not let emotion get in the way of your rationality.

You can talk your self into this venture all day long - but it doesn't change the fact that building a directory of ecommerce sites is not a superior commercial opportunity is relation to alternative opportunities.

[danielmi]

davep,

GREAT JOB! The best thing is that you are moving forward! Don't let people stop you from moving. Keep working on your business model and this can work. Remember this :

"You can make it all the way from New York to California if you just keep walking...don't ever give up!" Michael Daniels

"There are thousands of ways to cook chicken!" Michael Daniels

Here are a few ideas
1. Are you an affiliate for all those stores that you are displaying? If you are not then signup with all the affiliate networks (Commision Junction, Performics, Linkshare, etc...) better to make some money if a person buys something from those stores. Can be similar to ebates.com.

2. Try focusing on a local area and intergrating local stores into this model. Since you are from NJ (I was born and raised in the Garden State) you might want to do the whole state or a town or county. It is much easier to be a big fish in a small pond, then a small fish in a big pond (Big fish will eat you up or you might starve to death!). Also you can take advantage of local advertising to drive traffic to your site.

3. Content is King! Maybe you can add some more content that will attract additional users and increase you SEO. Also maybe you should have a page for each store where you can post there specials etc...also you can SEO those pages and that will help your ranking.

WOW!! I'm on a roll now...let me slow down!

But all in all..GREAT JOB!! If I can help you in any way, don't hesitate to contact me. I have a lot of experience in "Outside the Box thinking", Web Development and local portal solutions. YOU CAN MAKE IT!! DON"T EVER GIVE UP!!

[NeeJam]

Why dont you just get phpLD and modify it it will look alot better then it is, and you might get more signups to your directory that way.

[davep]

progress notes:

Content:
Mall Beta stage
(Outfit Maker in planning stage)
Mall webpages 20% complete
p2p Alpha stage
onDemand Negotiation stage
college Alpha stage
movies back to drawing board

Design:
Minor design improvements
Greenishness reduced by half (steve w)

thx daniel for your support

davep

[Eamonn]

you need to work on a new design and this market place is very crowded

[4-Knots]

site design 2/10 I feel so many sites are just like this .