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I need the opinion of an expert...

by Swissprice
9 replies
Hello!

Here is my struggle:

I built a website called "The Business Database" destined to be the place where all businesses around the world could register in order to be found using search criteria such as "country", "city", "industry" or "products/services provided". My goal is to help businesses around the world to be found easily so they can sell internationally and grow faster.

As soon as the website was ready (in may 2015), I began to send e-mail invitations to all the companies I could find on the Internet. I knew that a free registration wouldn't be enough so I decided to offer some free ad space on my website and free Instagram shoutouts for the first 1,000 members. Here is the invitation: Invitation to The Business Database.

I cannot tell the exact number of invitations sent but surely several hundreds.

Today, only 28 companies decided to register.

I started to think that the people think it's a catch because everything is free (for the first 1,000 business to register only).

What do you think about that?

Samuel
The Business Database | Find your next business partner. Worldwide.
#expert #free #invitation #opinion #website
  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    I think most businesses are "blind" to this type of directory. Most businesses that have been around for a while are signed up to many "directories" and probably get very little traffic from them.

    What will you provide other than a link to their site. What will be bringing traffic to your site that would say to a business owner, "Heck Yeah. I want a piece of that traffic"

    Most directories are sites about nothing that provide nothing.

    al
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    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

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  • Profile picture of the author shermancox
    yeah...you everthink of niching..rather than all businesses...
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    • Profile picture of the author nmwf
      Originally Posted by shermancox View Post

      yeah...you everthink of niching..rather than all businesses...
      I favor this approach. A focused directory may serve you better than a general directory.
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  • Profile picture of the author Swissprice
    @agmccall, @shermancox, @nmwf, Thank you for your answers!

    @agmccall what I provide that the other site don't is free advertising for them. I know that it's not very interesting for them yet because of the little number of members so, little traffic. That's the difficulty.

    @shermancox, @nmwf, do you think that focusing in small international trade businesses would do?

    Big thanks to all of you!

    Samuel
    The Business Database | Find your next business partner. Worldwide.
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    • Profile picture of the author nmwf
      Originally Posted by Swissprice View Post

      @shermancox, @nmwf, do you think that focusing in small international trade businesses would do?
      Well, I don't know what shermancox meant, but I was thinking more along the lines of industry-specific businesses. Whether they're world-wide or not may not matter. It all depends on how specific you want to go.

      But as an example, I earlier suggested that someone (anyone!) create a directory for non-invasive apps. Other examples include a directory of camping grounds that are handicap-friendly or doctors who specialize in a specific type of treatment.

      Stuff like that.
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      • Profile picture of the author Swissprice
        @nmwf, thank you very much for your reply! I will seriously think about this... You already helped me a lot!

        New reviews/answer are welcome!
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        • Profile picture of the author nmwf
          Originally Posted by Swissprice View Post

          @nmwf, thank you very much for your reply! I will seriously think about this... You already helped me a lot!

          New reviews/answer are welcome!
          Well, you're welcome! Glad I could help.
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    • Profile picture of the author agmccall
      Originally Posted by Swissprice View Post


      @agmccall what I provide that the other site don't is free advertising for them. I know that it's not very interesting for them yet because of the little number of members so, little traffic. That's the difficulty.
      But why would anyone want to advertise there. That is the question. I am not trying to be negative, but, what will your site provide that google does not??

      al
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Hey Samuel,
        To be honest, you are undertaking a monumental task.

        And I do not want to detract from you pursuing your dreams.

        But personally, it is something I would not want to pursue.

        It may take a whole lot of work with little payout.

        Directories in general are NOT what they used to be 10 years ago.

        There were tons of people putting up Directories about any topic.

        Google took a lot of their power away from the algo updates.

        Iam not saying you cannot be successful, but like I said I personally would move forward with more promising ventures than this



        - Robert Andrew
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