What's Missing? tips, advice

[TheGodfather]

Its a local business directory. And its very simple... I know I am missing somthing but dont know exactly what. What do you think it needs?

www.eairdrie.com

The site looks better when your screen is set to around 1024 x 768 pixels...on that note what can I do to improve the appearance on all resolutions?

[tekmoney]

What's missing? Members!

[TheGodfather]

What's missing? Members!

thank you for such great insight....

[nado]

Is it free or?

Where's the quick front-page blurb that describes what the site is all about?

[TheGodfather]

not free, $120 per listing which is half what my only competitor is charging. My site also looks better compared to the other ad directory in town. As far as the front page blurb goes, that’s a great idea... where can I put it? I have difficulty arranging different items on my website because of the php crap... I am not an experienced web guy, getting the search engine and weather pod in that position took ages and I am still not happy with the placement.

[Aletheides]

Why would someone pay $120 to list there?

[paul2145r]

Well, it needs alot of work. Not just the site, but the price, and your execution. I don't know many businesses that would spend that type of money on an unproven site. You need alot of press to get this type of thing started. If your competitor is charging that much, so be it. Why not run a promotion where the first 10 businesses that sign up can do so for $1. The next ten for $10. The next 30 for $20, and so on. Get yourself at least enough businesses to fill every category. Otherwise, your site looks like a shell of a good concept. It's hollow on the inside, and business owners will recognize that. Modernize the template a little bit. Put up links to various free information sites and gateways. Make a mini-CraigsList for regular people to put up information. Like I said earlier- there is alot missing, and alot that can be done to make this website a success. Feel free to PM for consultation information, otherwise- Good Luck!

[TheGodfather]

I have been doing some modifications to the site, but from what I am hearing there is still lots more to be done. Right now I am trying to put a "bookmark this page" link on the site, however I do not want one where the link has to be changed for each page its on. Are there any bookmark scripts out there that automatically detect the page URL and bookmark the current page when the link is clicked on?

[TheGodfather]

Why would someone pay $120 to list there?

1. Cheapest Online Advertising in Town
2. cheapest advertising in town (compared to flyers, newspapers)
3. Only one other competitor, and they charge double my price
4. product is of much more quality than the only other competitor
5. Based in a small city that bursting at the seams with an ever growing population and small businesses looking to advertise.

Conclusion: If businesses are paying double the price I charge for an inferior product why wouldn't they pay less for a superior one?
I can see where you may be coming from however. Yet I feel because of the size of my town, and the lack of competition, I have a chance.