Ever run a Groupon for Webdesign?

by bwh1
12 replies
I had that idea several times but is it doable?

And can you run a nationwide campaign in Groupon or is all limited by states.

You could advertise a SEO'd Website you charge normally 999.- for for half the price what leaves you with $250 after Groupon took it's share.

Enough to cover your costs but you have a new client on board which you can win for other stuff like mobile or FB, LI or G+ whatsoever and recurring maintenance.

Only business clients tough and no personal websites or blogs.

G.
#groupon #run #webdesign
  • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
    Originally Posted by bwh1 View Post

    I had that idea several times but is it doable?

    And can you run a nationwide campaign in Groupon or is all limited by states.

    You could advertise a SEO'd Website you charge normally 999.- for for half the price what leaves you with $250 after Groupon took it's share.

    Enough to cover your costs but you have a new client on board which you can win for other stuff like mobile or FB, LI or G+ whatsoever and recurring maintenance.

    Only business clients tough and no personal websites or blogs.

    G.
    Groupon is really not too keen on this anymore. If the site sucks; they still have the "Groupon Promise."

    You're more likely to be able to sell a class on it through Groupon; "build your own websites and do it yourself SEO" - if you already have some steam behind you. They are hyper analytical with the data, so to sell such a class you basically have to be in NY or Chicago.
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    • Profile picture of the author OnlineStoreHelp
      Not only that but its not 50% you keep but 25% you keep. Remember, Groupon takes up to half of the cash payment and then pays you out over 60 days. Now, if you still want to run this, why not do it with Facebook as you can run Groupon style promotions and at the price point you are talking about, put a ton of money in your pocket even with ads to push people to the page. PM me if you want more info.
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      • Profile picture of the author Riz
        Originally Posted by OnlineStoreHelp View Post

        Not only that but its not 50% you keep but 25% you keep. Remember, Groupon takes up to half of the cash payment and then pays you out over 60 days. Now, if you still want to run this, why not do it with Facebook as you can run Groupon style promotions and at the price point you are talking about, put a ton of money in your pocket even with ads to push people to the page. PM me if you want more info.
        This is not true unless Groupon payment terms are different in the US in comparison to here in the Uk.

        We have run many successful Groupons for clients. The process goes as follows:

        1) You sign a deal with Groupon after agreeing on the discount offered and the percentage share. We normally negotiate a 60/40 share in favour of our
        client.

        2) The Groupon normally runs for 3 days

        3) After the Groupon ends you can start redeeming the vouchers the customers bring in immediately via your online portal and Groupon pays you within
        5 to 7 working days.

        4) Some Groupon vouchers are valid for up to 7 months. Therefore Groupon (if you negotiate and ask) will pay you 50% of your total sale portion within 10 working days. Then as and when you redeem the vouchers you start getting paid again after you have redeemed 50%. This helps with immediate cash flow.

        Hop that helps.

        Riz
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  • Profile picture of the author IM nice guy
    I know Groupon has great traffic, and reputation, but don't let that stop you testing with "discount" style offers. You can still do well with this concept and direct mail.
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    • Profile picture of the author TheBigBee
      Originally Posted by IM nice guy View Post

      I know Groupon has great traffic, and reputation, but don't let that stop you testing with "discount" style offers. You can still do well with this concept and direct mail.
      This will only work with classes.
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      • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
        Originally Posted by TheBigBee View Post

        This will only work with classes.
        Could you (or someone else) speculate on the concept of a class, at a discount prize either through Groupon or a la' Groupon Style? As in, if it was not through Groupon and you were doing it individually, where would you advertise and where would you hold the classes, what would you charge etc.

        Thanks, Eva
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  • Profile picture of the author TheDaniels
    I have read that a class style promo is better as well . Especially if you can do the class in a group where you can have multiple people on a webinar say and collect from multiple people even though you are only doing one "class" . Then you could solicit the webinar participants other services as well .
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  • Profile picture of the author Sherry Han
    Don't forget that a lot of Groupon buyers are notoriously picky and are never happy with what they get. They always want more, more, more to the point that I think $250 for even a simple 5-page template website will not even cover your cost.

    As for converting them into recurring clients for SEO and other upsells, I think you're going to be fighting an uphill battle. Groupon buyers are cheap, and most of them never buy anything more than what the voucher is worth. I know I'm generalizing, but trust me, there is truth to this. I've seen this both from personal experience as well as working with clients who wanted to run Groupon deals. All of them have said "never again" unanimously. Bottom line is that Groupon works for certain businesses, but this is certainly not one of them.

    I agree with the others that running a class is the only way to go. That way you have no variable cost and far less overhead.
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  • Profile picture of the author billpullman
    the blitz of the "groupon mode" is gone
    look forsomething else...
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  • Profile picture of the author bwh1
    Hey Warriors, thanks for feedback.

    Guess it's not such a good idea then. The idea behind it was the nationwide exposure and the fact that I could break even with 250.-.

    So it actually would be a lead generator to fill up my portfolio which I could try to upsell other necessary items like FB pages, Google+, LinkedIn, Apps, Video marketing, Rep Management, SMS etc...

    If I can settle 50 full paying clients on recurring plans I'm done.

    I have no idea what you guy's talking about in respect to "classes"??!

    How can I deliver customized websites over a class?? Do I miss some?

    G.
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  • Profile picture of the author Arzak
    Remember that a lot of people who use Groupon just want a deal. You may break even but I feel there would be a lot of extra hassle in dealing with the clients.
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  • Profile picture of the author NewParadigm
    the coupon deal sites are negotiable. If you want to agree to their 50% cut then that is your choice.

    Do a deal on something that is more concretely defined for consumer, more so than a "5 page" site which the quality can be subjective to the customer.
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