Will the web move to an immediate on demand support?

by SCrafted Banned
26 replies
Platforms like Freelancer are huge and really enstablished but do not provide an immediate response in my opinion.

4 years ago i had an idea of creating an app/platform that would help people by connecting them with an expert in less than 60 seconds that would help them out over videochat (IT services, general advice, consulting, doctors and vets, lawyers, architects, general contactors and so on, the list is infinite).

Let's say your dog is sick and you can connect with a vet in less than 60 seconds, you can choose a vet based on reviews and recommendations, and talk to him with videochat showing him the dog and its symptoms. Wouldn't that be great?!

And the best thing, pay based on how long is your consultation. Every expert could set their own rates based on minutes...

I never pursuit this idea and sadly i found out that Aaron Patzer, the co-founder of Mint, last year developed this same app and indeed he already sold it to Porch.com for millions.

I know of another couple of platforms that are doing the same.

There is still room for this idea. I am still am thinking about it...

What do you guys think of this?
#demand #move #support #web
  • Profile picture of the author ozki
    Mobile wireless technology's impact is only going to deepen and widen
    You are definitely on the right path
    The question is to find out the gray areas existing implementations aren't serving well
    Scale up from there
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  • Profile picture of the author TrickyDick
    Originally Posted by SCrafted View Post

    Platforms like Freelancer are huge and really enstablished but do not provide an immediate response in my opinion.

    4 years ago i had an idea of creating a app/platform that would help people by connecting them with an expert in less than 60 seconds that would help them out over videochat (IT services, general advice, consulting, doctors and vets, lawyers, architects, general contactors and so on, the list is infinite).

    Let's say your dog is sick and you can connect to a vet in less than 60 seconds, you can choose a vet based on reviews and recommendations, and talk to him with videochat showing him the dog and its symptoms. Wouldn't that be great?!

    And the best thing, pay based on how long is your consultation.

    I never pursuit this idea but sadly i found out the Aaron Patzer, the co-founder of Mint, last year developed this same app and indeed he already sold it to Porch.com for millions.

    I know of another couple of platforms that are doing the same.

    There is still room for this idea. I am still am thinking about it...

    What do you guys think of this?
    I think it was an excellent idea....

    Google had this years ago in "Helpouts"..... back in 2013..... They closed it on April 20, 2015.

    Remember, there are two critical parts..... implementing the web application... and marketing it. You need to get both correct to be successful....

    It is not who has the idea first.... Look at Facebook, Google, the iPhone, MacOS and many others. They just "improved" on an existing idea.
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    • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
      Banned
      Helpouts was kind of different but still wonder why they shut it down. I have red something about it but can't remember. I think wasn't too much profitable for them, but this was few years ago when mobile technology wasn't so strong as it is today...

      You are exactly right. The hardest part would be to market it. Aaron sold this app in less than 1 year because he knows his stuff...
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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    SC

    Just a heads up but the main board is for discussing how to make money not to asked advice on some what if idea ! not being rude just realistic.

    Jason
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    • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
      Banned
      I want to know if this idea can make some money and if it can how
      If i need to move it to some other section np... but there is something wrong in your reply...maybe you don't like the idea...
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      • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
        Originally Posted by SCrafted View Post

        I want to know if this idea can make some money and if it can how
        If i need to move it to some other section np... but there is something wrong in your reply...maybe you don't like the idea...
        Just so this does not turn into a flame war , I will asked you this and be honest !

        Do you have the funds to create such a product and put to market in the next couple of weeks

        There is a good 99% chance that no one on the forum has done anything like this so there is the what ifs

        If you done have what is needed better using the old brain cells to come up with a better plan and just Test test and more testing

        Jason
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        • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
          Banned
          You are right, i don't have the funds for this now.

          I know this are just pie in the sky!

          So mad at you for crushing my dream

          But don't make such assumptions.

          I already did something like this many years ago and was pretty successful...

          Friendly tone btw
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        • Profile picture of the author danieldesai
          Originally Posted by Regional Warrior View Post

          Just so this does not turn into a flame war , I will asked you this and be honest !

          Do you have the funds to create such a product and put to market in the next couple of weeks

          There is a good 99% chance that no one on the forum has done anything like this so there is the what ifs

          If you done have what is needed better using the old brain cells to come up with a better plan and just Test test and more testing

          Jason
          SCrafted, I don't think Jason is trying to "crush your dream".

          He's trying to point out how problematic your proposition is.

          I don't know of any Warriors here who'll be able to give you insights based on personal experience.

          And as TrickyDick said:
          Originally Posted by TrickyDick View Post

          Remember, there are two critical parts..... implementing the web application... and marketing it. You need to get both correct to be successful....
          You'll have to figure out those parts, and if you do get it right you won't regret your decision.

          By all means, dream big but it might be difficult to get the right answers here.

          Good luck, buddy.

          Regards,
          Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
    Great idea, but like all great ideas, without implementation it is nothing.

    back in 2001 until around 2005-6 I had live chat operators in my office. We sold not just a livechat app (we gave that free to sites) but operators to handly 24/7 sales, service and support.

    It was very much ahead of its time, cost me a bit of money. The main issue was, that customers didn't want to pay for that service and businesses did not recognize the value.

    Despite the fact that then, as well as now, there is a TON of statistical evidence to show that live support INCREASES PROFITS (not just sales, but the bottom line via retention, referrals, cost reduction, decreased cart abandoment etc) - -the small business just didn't want to invest in it.

    I look at the number of e-commerce sites today that do NOT have a phone or chat support and it astonishes me.

    I would recommend you find a specific industry or niche, that recognizes the value of live service and is willing to pay for it. Whether that be the business or the consumer.

    I 100% agree that we are moving more towards INSTANT DETAILED TRACKING (UPS-style -- example Dominos Pizza delivery) AND ON DEMAND A LA CART selection (Netflix style - example everything that calls itself the "Netflix of ____")

    If you are willing to invest the time/people/money to make it happen and have some business savvy, Go for it!
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    • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
      Banned
      You are 100% correct igrowyourbiz! Sorry to hear your business didn't work. I rememeber infact live chat got really popular around 2007/2008. Timing is really important and just 1 year somethimes can make the difference...

      Originally Posted by igrowyourbiz View Post

      I would recommend you find a specific industry or niche, that recognizes the value of live service and is willing to pay for it. Whether that be the business or the consumer.
      I think this idea would work in so many markets but would work great for medical advice, diagnosis and answers. Just think about how many people panic when they have a rash or a little fever...
      But i think would have to spend a lot of money on legal consultation as well... You have to protect yourself when entering this kind of areas...

      just a little dream i have at the moment...
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      • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
        Originally Posted by SCrafted View Post

        You are 100% correct igrowyourbiz! Sorry to hear your business didn't work. I rememeber infact live chat got really popular around 2007/2008. Timing is really important and just 1 year somethimes can make the difference...



        I think this idea would work in so many markets but would work great for medical advice, diagnosis and answers. Just think about how many people panic when they have a rash or a little fever...
        But i think would have to spend a lot of money on legal consultation as well... You have to protect yourself when entering this kind of areas...

        just a little dream i have at the moment...
        There are actually several in the med profession that are doing what you mentioned.

        For dermatology and general medical care. Very affordable also (they are venture capital funded though also)
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        • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
          Banned
          Originally Posted by igrowyourbiz View Post

          There are actually several in the med profession that are doing what you mentioned.
          Such as?! Websites like Medhelp are not the same thing...

          But you know i haven't done my homeworks with this business in a long time. If there are sites like this are relatively new.. But if there are apps/sites like this out there, they prove my point, that we are moving to an immediate on demand mobile support.
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          • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
            Originally Posted by SCrafted View Post

            Such as?! Websites like Medhelp are not the same thing...

            But you know i haven't done my homeworks with this business for a long time. If there are, are relatively new.. But if there are this apps/sites out there, they prove my point.

            We are moving to an immediate on demand support.
            There are a ton - plenty of VCs are dumping 100s of millions into this concept and tech, have been for years.

            LiveHealth
            FirstDerm
            DRonDemand
            Teledoc
            MDLIVE

            Sounds as if you have an interest in real business. You can keep up with these trends and others if you subscribe to and read business magazines monthly. (Fortune, Forbes, Entrepreneur and Inc are on my sub list)

            These kinds of businesses (and trends) are often featured and discussed.
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            • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
              Banned
              VC are dumping millions on this ideas because probably they know that people want immediate support and mobile technologies are ready now...
              I already knew another couple of sites (not medical related) which started long time ago, even before this sites you mentioned, but never gained traction.

              I had the idea first than any of this site. Kind of sad

              The problem as you said it's execution. Aaron Patzer sold Fountain in 10 months i think and started after all this sites so wasn't first to market.

              I read those magazines all the times...will have a look at your list
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              • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
                Originally Posted by SCrafted View Post

                VC are dumping millions on this ideas because probably they know that people want immediate support and mobile technologies are ready now...
                I already knew another couple of sites (not medical related) which started long time ago, even before this sites you mentioned, but never gained traction.

                I had the idea first than any of this site. Kind of sad

                The problem as you said it's execution. Aaron Patzer sold Fountain in 10 months i think and started after all this sites so wasn't first to market.

                I read those magazines all the times...will have a look at your list
                You would have to be pretty old. The concept of a DR treating via screen dates before the internet. Remember video conferencing has been around a long time. The concept goes back to Edison in 1879 and the US government has been using it since the TV in 1927 at least. That doctors would use it has been tried many, many, many times.
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                • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
                  Banned
                  Originally Posted by igrowyourbiz View Post

                  The concept goes back to Edison in 1879.
                  ahh come on man...
                  You can't be serious...ehehehh

                  Anyways i had the idea 4 years ago.
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                  • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
                    I am very serious - check out his inventions, he has one where he is talking to his kids long distance and watching them play at the playground and talking to them.
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                    • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
                      Banned
                      You have to put it all to context. You can't apply this logic, especially to business. Was this concept applicable for a mass market back in the 1920s? No.
                      Just one 1 year difference in timing for your live chat idea made your business fail.
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                      • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
                        Originally Posted by SCrafted View Post

                        You have to put it all to context. You can't apply this logic, especially to business. Was this concept applicable for a mass market back in the 1920s? No.
                        Just one 1 year difference in timing for your live chat idea made your business fail.
                        You are 100% incorrect.

                        1) Video conferencing has indeed been available since the 20s and it was applicable, it just was not well received because there was no one willing to invest in saturating the market. No one wanted to be the only person on the block with a video phone. The only reason the concept is so plentiful now is because we started putting cameras into wireless phones. (I have owned 3 different wireless retail stores since 1994)

                        2) At no time did I say my live chat business failed. It was in fact, very profitable, especially since it meant I got FREE live chat for my various ventures.

                        But hey...keep thinking up ideas, I'm going to keep creating businesses...feel free to disagree with my experiences based off your opinions
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                        • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
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                          What you say makes no sense. And what scares the most is that you said you are a business advisor and a coach and trainer and a professional speaker. Something else?! That's the reason why i don't believe in this entities. Pure corporate talk and nothing else. "Professional speaker" just think about the word! Self proclaimed? Yeah probably. Or is there a uni to study for that?

                          Originally Posted by igrowyourbiz View Post

                          But hey...keep thinking up ideas, I'm going to keep creating businesses...feel free to disagree with my experiences based off your opinions
                          Oh man you are getting personal. Ok...
                          Have you ever sold an online business? Have you ever had meetings with a billion $ corporation interested in investing in your company?
                          I did. How about you?
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                          • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
                            Originally Posted by SCrafted View Post

                            What you say makes no sense. And what scares the most is that you said you are a business advisor and a coach and trainer and a professional speaker. Something else?! That's the reason why i don't believe in this entities. Pure corporate talk and nothing else. "Professional speaker" just think about the word! Self proclaimed? Yeah probably. Or is there a uni to study for that?



                            Oh man you are getting personal. Ok...
                            Have you ever sold an online business? Have you ever had meetings with a billion $ corporation interested in investing in your company?
                            I did. How about you?
                            Edit - deleted original post, unsubscribed...no point = not even on same planet.

                            Have a nice day
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                    • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
                      Banned
                      Originally Posted by igrowyourbiz View Post

                      I am very serious - check out his inventions, he has one where he is talking to his kids long distance and watching them play at the playground and talking to them.
                      This sounds more like Skype btw...

                      I agree. Edison grandgrandnephew should sue skype into the stone age and ask for some big royalties.
                      Those scammers stole his idea! Umbelievable!
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                  • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
                    As a professional speaker, coach and trainer - Business is not a joke with me
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  • Profile picture of the author akki26
    There are many platforms but according to me there will not be a immediate response to an web move..................
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  • Profile picture of the author igrowyourbiz
    overall, remember - action over ideas. DOERS beat DREAMERS all the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author SCrafted
    Banned
    You started good but you made yourself look like someone who doesn't know what is talking about with your last answers.
    I changed my mind 180 degrees.
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