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Free Directory or Paid for?

by RyanGillam
6 replies
I am launching a website packed full of local businesses within the next few days, although I am currently unaware of how I should charge it. I am the only person that provides this service in a rather large town.

I have two options, I could go free (not sure how to monetize really past designing my own tourist guides or adsense). Although I am going to try and upsell websites to them (businesses)

Or I could go for paid, which is a small amount of around £6.00 a year. I am not sure whether local businesses would pay to go on a directory though.

Any suggestions? Particularly from someone that has run a directory.
#directory #free #paid
  • Profile picture of the author aoyiteled
    If the effect is very good,that also can pay money!
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  • Profile picture of the author luketemple
    I have a simliar site solely for pizza delivery companies, I charge them to be on it and it monetizes well!
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  • Profile picture of the author noble
    If it were me I would go with paid but a little twist, perhaps add a bunch and then hit up ones you leave out, to make it look as though other have paid. Or maybe let it be free for a while say something like we are just launching get a free listing for 90 days or 6 months or something and if you can show you're referring them business then hit them up for a substantially higher than $6 fee a month after the grace period (as they would make much more than that off of 1 customer).

    I guess just get creative with it
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    • Profile picture of the author RyanGillam
      Originally Posted by noble View Post

      If it were me I would go with paid but a little twist, perhaps add a bunch and then hit up ones you leave out, to make it look as though other have paid. Or maybe let it be free for a while say something like we are just launching get a free listing for 90 days or 6 months or something and if you can show you're referring them business then hit them up for a substantially higher than $6 fee a month after the grace period (as they would make much more than that off of 1 customer).

      I guess just get creative with it
      That's exactly what I was going for! I was going to choose 20 businesses in my area and post a letter through their door asking whether they wished to sign up to the website. I want them to do this rather than me doing so for them. The first is to gauge interest, the second is so I can get them on my mailing list. The first sign ups will be free. I have no doubt that the companies that I contact will sign up.

      I don't wish to charge more than £6.00 a year. This is because I have many 'up sells' in place, and I would prefer for people to sign up for that in the future. I fear that higher than £6.00 will distract them from signing up, and therefore they won't ever. If I can get even 1/20th of the businesses in this area signed up, then I could still make £600 a year (this is my goal per month eventually once i factor in the upsells)
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  • Profile picture of the author tylerd4
    if your customers are small company, you don't need to charge them. Consider this as your help to make them grow. But if your customers are medium and large company, you may charge them for your service.
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  • Profile picture of the author scottsihm
    You can give 2 options, one is basic free membership, the other is paid premium membership. In this way, they will have choice to select.
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