I need the opinion of an expert...

by 9 replies
11
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.
#email marketing #expert #free #invitation #opinion #website
  • 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
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • yeah...you everthink of niching..rather than all businesses...
    • [1] reply
    • I favor this approach. A focused directory may serve you better than a general directory.
  • @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.
    • [2] replies
    • 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.
      • [1] reply
    • 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
      • [1] reply
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed