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Membership site for offline businesses

by trom771
1 replies
Hey all...we're looking at starting a fee-based membership site for 'offline' businesses. It will basically be a b2b 'club', where we hope to create an online community where we will distribute information/advice, and members can interact with each other, as well as us.

Our initial offer looks like this:

1. Free 'basic' email marketing system, with one email (that they have written) to their list (that they will build). No follow-up system though...just one monthly email, for coupons, specials, etc. We will create the html code, manage the list and send out the email.

2. Their company name will be listed in a member directory, with a link to an 'about us' page that we will create, host, and promote. This page will link to their main site, as well as reference to our site at the bottom.

3. General business consulting advice via email (limited to 2x/month).

4. Networking capabilities with other members - via user forum, banner ads, barter system, etc.

5. Access to monthly general business advice articles that we will write and upload.

6. Referenced in a member directory, with a link to an 'about us' page that we will create, host, and promote. This page will link to their main site, as well as reference to us at the bottom.

7. 'Discounts' on articles, press releases, SEO offers, link building, as well as distribution of links & articles/releases.

8. Free hosting of their own website, if needed.

We will probably add an affiliate program that pays about 25%...we will promote this by 'tell a friend' type promotions - using the 'refer 4 people to us and you're dues are paid for the month' angle. We may limit this to members only.

We were thinking about starting our prices at $50/month. Our ongoing costs will be very little, since we have our own email marketing system and a reseller hosting account. Once we get enough members, we may increase what's included as well as increase the price. Anyone got a take on this?

Too much value for the price? Too little? Anything we should add/remove/change? Any advice would be appreciated.
#businesses #membership #offline #site
  • Profile picture of the author AlexR
    No short answer here.

    Your target appears to be SME's that are at start-up stage.

    These are usually the type of business that needs mentoring rather than basic web presence. In most cases, people who are not already online with their business do not understand what the benefits are, how a web site can work for them and what work goes into maintaining an effective online presence.

    Personally, I wouldn't be interested in what you are offering until such time as you can show me proof of the benefit of your offer to business and references from others that you have helped.

    What I don't see is personalised service to give businesses an effective online presence. Most small businesses do not have the time to network or spend time online trying to work out or understand the intricacies of the different aspects of your offer.

    Realise that generally, these people will have no idea what SEO is, how to use the forum, the use of emails and how to build a list, etc.

    I also question whether you have the required skills to provide qualified business advice when the results of your advice can destroy a business if it is wrong.

    I certainly would not pay $50/month until I have proof that your service is actually benefiting me. If you want to offer say, two months free trial so that I can see the benefits, I may be interested to give you a try, but understand that I would expect to see positive results during of that trial period to convince me that I should pay $50/month for the service.

    Think carefully about this.

    Alex
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