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Niche directory Ideas (unusual)

by kaputchnik
12 replies
Hi,

Does anyone have any unusual Niche directory Ideas?

I want to start a directory but not the usual local biz one that's been done to death now. Think outside the box and leave your pearls of wisdom below.

Thanks
#directory #ideas #niche #unusual
  • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
    Banned
    Greetings. Having just spent 3 months researching and building a directory site that will be launching any day, I can tell you that it is near impossible to find a niche that has not been exploited. If it is a viable niche, it has a directory. Probably many more than one.

    Not saying that you can't compete, but it's best to find a popular niche and simply build a better mousetrap. In all the things I have done on the WWW, this project was the most daunting that I have ever undertaken. If I don't make a dime I will still consider it a success as I learned mountains that can only help me going forward.

    Coming up with an interesting niche will be much easier than bringing it to completion and getting it populated. Just don't think that it's going to be easy.

    Bottom line? Go for it, but be extremely realistic, lest you waste valuable time and resources.

    Cheers. - Frank
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    • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
      Love this advice!

      So often people don't include the reality check when it comes to ideas or methods in this place!

      This section of the forum is far better in this area then other parts though.

      Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

      Greetings. Having just spent 3 months researching and building a directory site that will be launching any day, I can tell you that it is near impossible to find a niche that has not been exploited. If it is a viable niche, it has a directory. Probably many more than one.

      Not saying that you can't compete, but it's best to find a popular niche and simply build a better mousetrap. In all the things I have done on the WWW, this project was the most daunting that I have ever undertaken. If I don't make a dime I will still consider it a success as I learned mountains that can only help me going forward.

      Coming up with an interesting niche will be much easier than bringing it to completion and getting it populated. Just don't think that it's going to be easy.

      Bottom line? Go for it, but be extremely realistic, lest you waste valuable time and resources.

      Cheers. - Frank
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    • Profile picture of the author Green Moon
      Originally Posted by BigFrank View Post

      ... it's best to find a popular niche and simply build a better mousetrap.
      This is great advice. Don't look for some tiny overlooked niche. It may be overlooked because it is too small to sustain a directory. In my years on the internet, I have come across many directories that appear to be leading in their particular field but haven't bothered to incorporate features and functionalities that leading directories in other fields have added.
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      • Profile picture of the author zimbizee
        I thinks directories are becoming harder to do locally. For one their isn't the search volume and secondly why would people go to an online directory when you have google which is effectively the biggest directory in existence.

        A directory is just adding an additional step in the search process which users these days don't want.
        I have been looking at doing these myself but after some research i just can't get over the point mentioned above.
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        • Profile picture of the author Roger Mayne
          Do a quick search for almost any local service business (eg plumber, roofer etc), and you'll see listings from Yell, Thomson, Checkatrade etc. These are all directories and all produce traffic and leads for those businesses.

          In the offline world, if you advertised in one media (ie Yellow Pages), does that mean you wouldn't advertise anywhere else?

          I think local directories are still a good way forward. If you offer free listings, they can provide you with upsell options later on for your SEO or social media services.

          If you "sell" your potential clients as a citation to help their own website, then it's still got to be a good thing. If the directory builds up any decent ranking, their listing may overtake their own website ranking.
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  • Profile picture of the author iamchrisgreen
    "Stickers for toilets".. i've not seen a niche directory of people that have stickers on their toilets.

    Is that different enough?
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  • Profile picture of the author massiveray
    If any of you want to throw together a contract furniture manufacturers directory that actually generates traffic, I'd appreciate it.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      I put together a Mobile "Restaurant Directory" for Travelers/Tourists who stay in hotels in Princeton, NJ.

      http://www.mobisiteindex.com/princeton

      Travelers/Tourists staying in hotels;
      1) Have money
      2) Are Hungry looing for places to eat
      3) Carry a Mobile Device

      And....I also place Displays at the Front Desk with QR Codes that Hotel Guests can Scan on their phones to have my "Restaurant Directory" come up on their Phone.

      Now...I made this "Mobi" directory for a buddy who was "supposed" to go out and sign up restaurants. He got involved with "something else".

      Don Alm
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  • Profile picture of the author watsonovedades
    you can find some basic bizz directories templates on google
    when you think about bizz directories there is not a lot of room to expand to as BigFrank said
    wish you the best of lucks tho
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      Contrary to what Zimbizee said above;

      (I thinks directories are becoming harder to do locally. For one their isn't the search volume and secondly why would people go to an online directory when you have google which is effectively the biggest directory in existence.

      A directory is just adding an additional step in the search process which users these days don't want.
      I have been looking at doing these myself but after some research i just can't get over the point mentioned above)

      What if the "Directory" was designed and created Specifically for; New Residents or New Home Buyers and....what if these New Residents/Home Buyers received a "Welcome" card welcoming them AND telling them about the "Welcome" directory where they can get Special Deals from local Biznesses & Professionals & Medicos and....what if the Directory was "Mobilized" so it can be easily seen on Mobile Devices and....what if the Welcome Card had a QR Code which they could SCAN and instantly be taken to the "New Resident/Home Buyer" directory????

      So....you wanted some Niche Directory IDEAS! What better "Directory Idea" than a "Mobilized Welcome" directory.

      All you need is;
      ...a "List" of New Residents/Home Buyers (Melissa Data).....
      ...create a Mobilzed Directory....
      ...contact biz owners, contractors and medicos who'd like to let these people know about their products and services (and be VERY willing to pay to be included)
      ....create a Card to send to your List and.....

      WHALA! YOU HAVE AN ON GOING, RESIDUAL MONEY MAKER.....unless people stop moving or buying homes!

      Don Alm...."Idea" guy
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      • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
        Banned
        Greetings. Here's the No. 1 obstacle in starting a new directory. When you approach any business, the first thing they ask you is, "how many businesses already have listings." A response that gets their attention will be different with every businessman that you talk to. My directory is a national concern. From doing on-line surveys and asking most of the business owners that I already deal with what number would impress them, the general consensus was around a quarter-million. Based on that I am starting out with just shy of one million listings as a seed base. Additionally, I have lists totaling over 35 million businesses, nationwide. Over a long period of time, I plan to get most of them entered. Will probably delete doctors and lawyers as they already have well-established and hugely-funded professional directories for their niche. Even at one million listings, if I can get 1% of them to pay $50 per year for an enhanced listing, it will be worth the expense and effort that was expended in getting this done. Not to mention the grief and aggravation.

        Granted, a local directory won't require near those numbers, but you need to seed your listings in some manner to be considered a viable player in the market. That number will be the major factor in having a successful venture.

        Finished my site last night. Now doing a wee-bit of dressing up and will officially launch by Monday. If I knew then what I know now, not sure I would have attempted this. That being said, I'm much wiser, smarter and committed now, than I was then.

        If you believe in what you are doing and your business plan is rooted in a realistic concept - don't let anything stop you. Good luck. Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author imsolutionsgroup
    How about tattoo artists
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