website idea

[sawf]

hello

I have an idea for a website that could potentially be reasonably profitable. (so i reckon. I would use it if it was available)

Thing is i'm not sure if the format is possible, how much would be involved to set it up, even if such a site exists, or whether it is a pipedream.

I'm not all that keen to pay some Audi TT driving guy to discuss these very early stage questions.

Is there a company (or person) that you can bounce off these ideas who maybe offers their time for a stake in the buisiness? (perhaps occasional success offsets wasting time discussing dud ideas)

Any other options for developing a rough plan for a website? (links, boards etc)

Would this be better on computers board?

Thanks for your time.

Sawf

 

[exe ex machina]

The best thing to do at this early stage is to discuss the proposal with either a reliable informed friend, or share the idea with BF posters (without giving too much away) as there are a lot of smart minds here from all walks of life who could offer a broader array of advice than that "one reliable friend".

So shoot...

 

[rick James]

Depends what the question is.

 

[sawf]

software requirements would be

-making sure only subscribed users could acess the site (ie no sharing passwords)

-fairly complex database to enable advanced searching on possibly 10-20 different fields (allow to search all or include/exclude features). May be over 1000 unique products with own information set and images

-ability to select images and add to a document to print/burn/email so clients could compare and select products that fit specified criterea. Maybe pdf?

-simplicity to update (add, remove, change details)

-Functionality is more important than style (although documents should be proffesional in appearance with high quality images)

-Should be fast to get results of searches.

Any idea how difficult/expensive it would be to establish a site along these line?

 

[exe ex machina]

you're talking about a site that can be built DIY if you know the right programs to use (Adobe, Macromedia).

building your own website along those lines you mentioned is not difficult at all, though it takes a bit of time and teaching yourself.

the cost of a domain and hosting for a year is very affordable. software/programs can be gotten without expense. building takes a little time and research. but those requirements you mentioned are standard things easy to do. if youd rather pay someone to build your site, that can be a bit pricier (hundreds) but that is really nothing.

 

[sawf]

Thanks for your input g.g

so you think if i gave my reqirements to a web designer they would be able to produce a functional site for less than a couple grand? they would give it to me "empty" and i add the data?

I reckon i should get the site working before approaching clients, but im not sure of its appeal. Any idea on how i can assess potential interest in an idea like this from those who are intended to use it?

Of course it is going to be easier to sign people up with a demo, but what if i create the site and then discover it has limited appeal? (requires both "buyers" and "sellers" to be involved to work)

no it's not ebay

 

[exe ex machina]

just shop around for web designers. making your own site isnt that hard really if you have the time to learn it, develop it as you learn. Adobe/Macromedia come with many template website structures as well that you can work from.

but if you wanted a flash site, that's harder to do. probably easier to just pay for it.

still, if your budget is a couple grand, then you should be right.

depends on your idea and how confident you are (or determined) that it is a good idea.

many businesses start off with an idea, they work at it, struggle, sometimes near bankrupt, but along the way they refine their original idea or stumble upon better ideas and adapt and gain huge success from it...like, the blogger people, just to name one. or even the eBay dude who created it. or amazon dude.

my plan would be to invest your 2 grand (or whatever) into the whole site, domain, business registration, trademark, etc, and get the site operational. and worry about its success or appeal later.

 

[- PC -]

I reckon i should get the site working before approaching clients, but im not sure of its appeal. Any idea on how i can assess potential interest in an idea like this from those who are intended to use it?

Of course it is going to be easier to sign people up with a demo, but what if i create the site and then discover it has limited appeal? (requires both "buyers" and "sellers" to be involved to work)

Bad luck .Thats part of risk management and ''investing in an idea''

Save some money and have enough to play for x amount of months or save the money to get it started and if it works it works if not at least you havent thrown the baby out with the bathwater.

BTW Betfair have patents so check the licence agreements

 

[sawf]

so crow is there a way of measuring risk? or do you just take a punt?

I realise ther can be no guarantees and we are not talking huge sums here. I would just like some indication that there would be clients that would use the service.

I'm not sure how to establish this without a detailed explanation of the concept to potential customers.

doing this before development could result in someone with more resources developing the concept first, or even sabotage of the idea by folks that may be afraid this system may have a negative effect on their business. a functioning system would minimise this possibilty.

so i guess what i was asking is would it be foolish to invest in a concept without any feedback from potential clients, even though obtaining this feedback may prove detrimental?

regards

sawf

 

[- PC -]

so crow is there a way of measuring risk? or do you just take a punt?

Why do you think there is a market for your idea? Answer that and your half way there ie I like doing X so there must be a million people who would like to do X with me. Its called market research...whether that market research is noticing a bigger company overlooking a smaller market because of minimal return or you have had conversations with people who ''if only I could ...''

I realise ther can be no guarantees and we are not talking huge sums here. I would just like some indication that there would be clients that would use the service.

I'm not sure how to establish this without a detailed explanation of the concept to potential customers.

I think I partly answered it above. Another way to get customers is to appeal to a niche market ie there is an ad whose name escapes me...probably for a car... a real expensive car... and the way it is marketed is basically'' your the kind of person who likes risk, adventure, the kind of person who doesnt care what people think of them, the kind of person that doesnt conform , your the kind of person to drive motor vehicle ex because you dont care how much it costs you buy it because it is you

But getting back to the above .. you must have some idea that your idea has potential to attract...it attracted you didnt it? Whats to say it wont attract other like minded individuals.

so i guess what i was asking is would it be foolish to invest in a concept without any feedback from potential clients, even though obtaining this feedback may prove detrimental?

Most business partners will ask what research you have done in regards to market exposure .Whether that is because you work in a related field and you have seen the need for a product and how to market it.

I dont quite think I understand what you are trying to say in your last sentence but will assume you are scared of someone stealing your idea before you get it up and running, or if they do steal it your profits will be minimised.

One way is to cliam intellectual property rights and registering names etc

Go here for a better analysis and here to find out about ''intellectual property rights''

Good luck