In need of new marketing ideas and opinions

[p.thomison]

I recently started a new business, MicroTest Solutions. We provide a cost effective solution for anyone interested in developing their own product. Before they invest in product R&D and production, we allow them to test the product in markets through a variety of channels. These can included test websites, ppc campaigns, ebay, ect. I honestly believe that my service will save people thousands of dollars wasted on products that will be rejected by the market anyway.

My problem is that being fairly new to the whole Internet entrepreneurship game, I really have no idea how to drum up business. I currently am relying on ppc campaigns and they are not very successful. If I could get your guys' opinion on the business, the website (www .microtestsolutions. com sorry about the spaces), and any ideas you have to increase traffic and business. Thanks

[SmoothEntrepreneur]

Interesting concept. Will definitely work, but it will come down to if you can execute it well. I would advertise to university entrepreneur centers, early-stage and seed-stage venture capital firms via direct mail campaigns. Make a really cool postcard, send out to 200 places then follow up with a phone call about week later.

You can also print up a bunch of small postcard-sized flyers and ask your local SBA, community bank or SBIC if you can leave them on their counter somewhere for their customers to see.

Good luck!

[beninbrown]

Hi PT,

A couple of things. First, I have visited your site and it looks like you offer something that could be valuable to companies.

1. Unique Selling Point. This is also known as a USP. Right now your USP is set up as "Testing your ideas so you don't have to". Not bad but do you think that it is very clear to a lay person what this means? If not then you may want to consider refining it so that it is abundantly clear what you offer and why your offering matters to your audience. Hint: The most powerful USP's make the customer the hero.
2. Flash website. These often look good, but have you ever noticed that when you click on any of your menu tabs your url never changes? This is a common issue with flash and the problem with it is that search engines have a tough time crawling flash sites-for you this could mean less search engine traffic.
3. Landing Pages? PPC is one of those things that on the surface looks so simple, but in reality it requires something akin to a scientific approach. I can't go into all details here but will say that PPC is based upon several factors:

   Keywords

   Ad Copy/Headlines

   Landing Pages

   Bidding

   If one of these things isn't right you could waste a lot of money on PPC, as it stands now if I were you I'd focus first on the USP, this would help you in so many other areas as it is the basis of your marketing plan.

Hope this helps.