Think You're Creative? $50 Reward for Best Idea

by 44 replies
50
I'm going to give a quick and easy $50 for the best idea in this thread (assuming we have some creative minded Warriors up for the challenge).

I have this pretty cool domain name that I picked up recently but I'm not sure what I want to do with it. I think it sounds really profesisonal similar to Clickbank or Commission Junction.

Instead of selling it, I figured I'd take a chance and see if I could find a unique idea to turn it into something special.

So the question is, for the $50 prize - what would you do with this domain:

CustomerMarketplace.com
#main internet marketing discussion forum #$50 #creative #idea #reward
  • CustomerMarketplace.com... Hmm..

    Sounds like a website for a community based review site that has scores of products that are available. Customers can add a product they wish to review and the said products can be branded with Aff links, etc.

    Great because people love P2P reviews, and TONS of unique content!

    Has very good potential!
    • [1] reply
    • He has my vote! maybe some type of "social network" to? consumer reports came to mind with that .com and this could be sometjhing similiar, but better. like a review site and sorta like ebay? sometihhng like an amazon but more interactive??

  • 1.) Ebay type auction site (sellers are sick of ebay and may be looking for a sane alternative)

    2.) Market research site selling proprietary information on online consumer behavior

    3.) Course/Forum/Blog on how to do customer-centric internet marketing.

    4.) One stop shopping for companies looking to quickly develop online marketplaces (like Open Market)

    5.) Lead gen service "we're your customer marketplace."

    Good name, by the way.

    Stacy
    • [1] reply
    • CustomerMarketplace.

      Sounds like some kind of barter - swap place? This could work, too. Trade your X for someone else's Y. Use ratings/stars to describe quality of the item and the reliability/honesty of the swapper/s.

      Yep. Given the right sort of system, this could be ver-ry interrrresting.

      Dot
  • an ebay site for buying and selling slaves.
    • [1] reply
    • I think the slave idea's the best one.

      I believe slavery is very big on the ivory coast where they grow cocao.

      Kindest regards,
      Andrew Cavanagh
    1. Start your own CPA Network
    2. Start a Consumer Report style site for Digital Products
    3. Start your own Clickbank/PayDotCom
    4. Start a Mega Internet Mall, with a mash-up of products from all over the web.
    5. Start a price comparison website
    Thats the best I can do right now.
    • [1] reply
    • Hey Ron, I haven't put much time in putting the idea "together"
      but here goes...

      A CustomerMarketplace for Online Product & Service creators.

      You build lists of prospects in a wide variety of niches and then
      product owners can buy mailings to those lists. But, like in WSO's,
      the product owners must offer a deal to your Customer Marketplace.

      People that sign-up to the lists, sign-up in as many niches that
      they are interested in and get discounts on good quality, brand new,
      products & services that you review before sending.

      You could charge on how big a list is, how responsive they are, if you
      "solo" mail to them or group a couple of them together...

      If you take care of those lists like you would take care of your own,
      I could see people staying on those lists for a long time!

      Anyhow, that's the general "outline"... it would definitely need some
      brainstorming, no, probably a lot of brainstorming

      I wish you and your family a Happy New Year!!

      Regards, Pete
  • Make it SIMPLE.

    Allow potential customers to post their picture, a list of things they want, location, and an email address.

    Now, as someone who has something to sell, say a bike, I do a search for customers looking for bikes.

    For anyone who has a bike listed in their wants, their picture/info will appear on the search results page, ordered by location (those closer to me, the seller, appear at the top of the list.)

    Allow the bike owner an easy way to contact the customer and make a transaction, perhaps through Paypal.

    SIMPLE!

    Customers can also choose to get 'broadcast notifications'. Thus if they want a gold necklace, and as a seller, I have 100 gold necklaces to sell, I can send out a 'broadcast' message to anyone wanting a gold necklace.

    I wouldn't get much more complicated than that.

    Derek
  • Digg meets Ebay/AmazonStores

    List products, and allow people to rate and review products.

    Merchants pay a listing fee to be identified with certain products.

    So, for example, let's say you have two cameras, the Mipblix 200 and the JavNip 300. People can rate those two in the camera category. Maybe the Mipblix gets the higher rating. Like digg, people can click on the Mipblix entry and read the reviews. Then, they can also see a list of merchants who sell the Mipblix and their current price. You could do an auction or just a straight buy.

    Those merchants would also be rated by customers. So, ABC Cameras might have a lower price, but customers can see that XYZ Cameras has a higher rating. Then they can decide whether the additional price is worth buying from XYZ or if they should just chance it with ABC. And, you would see the merchant's price and rating (stars? number?) from the specific product page.

    Anyone could review and rate a product, but only customers who have purchased from a specific merchant could review a merchant, which should help reduce or eliminate people from smacking down competitors with fake reviews/ratings.
  • Sell email lists
    sell the domain
  • These are some great ideas and proof that Warriors don't have a scarcity mentality and are willing to share.

    Lets keep this going. Maybe there is an idea from this thread that others can use or collaborate on as well.
    • [1] reply
    • Model: "Spec" Intellectual Property Auction site

      Niche: Internet Marketers

      Target: Writers to offer spec writing to the highest bidder.
      MRR and PLR membership clubs

      *I write 'spec' books reports, and sales letters, and sell them to MRR, and PLR membership clubs, I would like to have a 'central location' where I can post what I have available for sale and all of the clubs I work with can bid if they want to buy.

      STRUCTURE: Separate licensing categories, ie. ghostwriting, PLR, MRR

      Expansion Plan: Spec "Software"
      Spec Graphic Arts Design

      Marketing Method: Free Membership:
      Specifically targeted (yet still free to all) to:
      IM forum members and lance site members.

      Master Profit Center: listing fees
      final value fees
      listing upgrades

      Master Promotional Method: Vouchers

      Secodary Profit Center 1: Wholesale Membership Model
      $x.xx monthly fee
      (x) Free listings,
      (x +) $x.xx guaranteed wholesale price on listing fees,
      final value fees,
      listing upgrade fees


      Please send the $50.00 to Tinkerbell if you choose this mock up. I haven't seen the thread in two days and I dont' know if they've reached the goal yet, but I'm sure she could use the 'cushion.'


      Warmest Holiday Wishes,
      Marcus
      • [ 2 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Since the word "customer" comes first, how about a place where customers can complain about the marketplace?

    I have a few things I'd like to complain about . . .
    • [1] reply
  • CustomerMarketplace.com

    Okay, the name has an extremely wide appeal so your site should also have wide appeal.

    Why not go for free classified ads as a start? Of course, people can upgrade to paid ads.

    Then you might consider an article directory. Let other people's content drive traffic to your site where they could see all the other goodies you offer.

    Include a section where visitors could download tons of free eBooks in exchange for their double-opt-in email addys. Great way to build a list.

    Offer an inexpensive membership for an exclusive section of the site (like Warrior Forum does). You could offer great deals on eBooks and courses.

    You could offer a forum where writers, graphics, Web design and software freelancers could post opportunities.

    You might have a 'scam alert' section since so many people out there don't want to get burned.

    You could have a product review section where you offered the best info products via your affiliate links.

    You might offer a 'joint venture hook up' section, matching people looking for partners.

    Then you could have a forum for the specialized topic of your choice.

    All the varied services make it a real Marketplace.

    Good Luck!
  • How about creating a site where people can offer their services in exchange for the services of others. For example somebody could offer article writing in return for help with coding. Or somebody could offer graphic design in return for some social bookmarking.

    This fits with the domain name. Everyone that uses the site is a potential customer. You in effect have customers marketing to each other. It's a customer marketplace.

    If it existed I would use it! And if it already does please could somebody tell me where?

    Thanks,

    Andy
    • [1] reply
    • Sell leads to a variety of markets... i.e. from web design & home business to plumbing & morgages.

      Have it so people can sign up and sell their leads and you charge a commission.

      Could have bidding for leads as well.
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  • I'd sell the domain to these guys.

    MACtac Customer Marketplace

    Their Google Results lead-in reads:

    Sounds to me like they've already got the business, but you've got the name!
  • When I saw "CustomerMarketplace.com" the first thing that came to mind was a local portal for offline customer in your area.

    Income per signup is much higher than for ebooks, adsense and clickbank.

    Plus you have an opening for a huge back end. More pages, full websites etc.
  • Think Craigslist...

    Customermarketplace/Boston
    Customermarketplace/Denver
    Customermarketplace/Pittsburg
    Customermarketplace/Miami....etc..
  • Perhaps something like AngiesList (www.angieslist.com) but for online service providers. Designers, Graphic Artists, Programmers, Digital Product Creation, Ghost Writers, etc.
  • Awesome ideas! I don't know which is best but I'll pick a winner tomorrow. Time to tip a glass (or three) for 2009!
  • Here's a Great Local idea for CustomerMarketplace.com to duplicate and expand into unlimited locations, perfect for these recession times and as the economy improves!

    Actually, other Local warrior gurus should study the business model too including Shawn Hanaee's newspaper startup...
    Web site marketplace for low-cost services | detnews.com | The Detroit News
    http://www.jobberz.com/
    http://www.jobberz.com/index.php?a=28&b=135
    http://www.jobberz.com/index.php?a=28&b=137

    Dave
  • Ron,

    The creativity was in you to come up with that name and also in the market when they respond to it after you tell them:

    Customer Marketplace.com

    Where the Customer is First


    Get it? They will!
  • You can use the site for reviews or classified ads and then sell at a much higher price if you don't have the motivation to continue with it after.
  • I think Derek's idea is so good that I'm not even going to post my inferior idea.
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    • [1] reply
    • What about this idea....

      Everyone has a need at some point and they don't always have a solution first hand. Or they know of a solution but it doesn't satisfy it the way they want.

      Customermarketplace will allow the customer in need to post his/her need. Companies will then find this needy customer and try to fill the need. The customer will see a bid war from companies and award the company that best fit his/her need.

      For example: Joe is computer noobie. Instead of Joe taking the time to do research on whats out there on the market, he can just post to customermarketplace.
      'Hi guys, I'm looking for a laptop that's between 400-500 bucks. I need it to run my printing business. I need the laptop to do a lot of photo editing. I will need it to be very portable...etc..' or 'Looking for life insurance 100k face, perm policy. Equity index life. Price is a big issue.'

      Then when you pick up big traffic... you can start charging membership fees for companies wanting new customers =D

      Allow customers to outsource shopping!!!!
  • You could make a marketplace site - for example something like SP.

    You could probablly do good but in other hands NO. but that is just my suggestion, and when I read your domain the first thing in my mind was marketplace place for selling site ...
    • [1] reply
    • I really don't like the word customer. I hate being called a customer, to me it denotes just another number. Unless they refer to me as "one tough customer" LOL.

      Another thing is the site name sounds TOO professional aka boring. Maybe the terms customer & marketplace together stales it for me. Although I did see your post on Christmas where you included a link to the little dance email you sent out (The special guest dancer was great LOL) & I didn't look at the site but seen the header & you guys made that niche look fun & exciting just from that & I thought "Wow, this guy's awesome!" so if anyone can un-dull that name it would be you.

      Maybe sell it and buy another domain replacing customer with "my" (prob taken), "consumer" (sounds kind of boring too but Consumer Reports are highly popular) or "guest" (travel) or any nice flowing combo of them.
      • [1] reply
  • One way is something like Receive FREE Price Quotes from Multiple Vendors with BuyerZone with a couple twists:

    1. Let customers review the products/services on the site after the service so that future visitors have an idea who is good and who isn't.
    2. Do it for products and services - online and off - by region.
    3. You could also provide survey answers, data, polling, etc. to companies for a fee.

    You could bring in income from:

    1. Listing fees for suppliers
    2. Price per lead that is provided to suppliers
    3. Polling/survey data

    Mark
  • A place where prospects can get a huge discount on various products. You contact the different merchants and vendors and negotiate with them to give your visitors/subscribers/prospects a huge discount (using your affiliate link of course).

    What's in it for them (merchants)? Huge traffic coming in to their sites. And massive sales (the quantity sold makes up for the reduced price).

    Best of luck,
    Michael
  • I would start a series of online stores and forums, using a wide range of categories. It would be great for ebay stores as an affiliate or selling your own products (or both)
  • CustomerMarketplace.com

    My idea is:

    Make the site an auction site for everything. It means everything in it that will be the center of everything. Like ebay and amazon. But the difference would be some auctioning options. Every category will be filled if you'll put a one of a kind option. Give them cool options. I can give you my greatest ideas when you like it. I can say this will be working good
  • Hey Ron,

    OK,

    customer = lead.

    Marketplace = buy/ sell.

    Now before Paul Myers comes here and kicks my butt for suggesting selling leads.. I'm not

    Now this is the tricky part Ron, but somehow do it how GetResponse does and have many different opt-in form gathering leads and rent the actual name/email fields to paying customers.

    So for example I pay you $0.80 for a cooking niche lead but in bulk I give you $200 (250 leads). You go on to change the opt-in form to my own code on the already standing "get your free cooking eBook" landing page.

    You can automate the process with a script counting the leads and either auto changes is back to your own code once I hit my 250 leads or you autobill me again (continuity) for some more.

    Now you're probably thinking "I only have a few niches with opt-in landing pages??" OK maybe so, but now you're a broker Ron

    I'm sure you can find others to rent their landing pages etc for $0.60 a lead?

    Or better still, customermarketplace.com is a buy and sell leads marketplace. I have an opt-in page getting me 10 sign-ups a day and if I wanted some extra cash I'll just go to you, sign up for a customermarketplace.com membership and sell my leads to you at $0.40/60 a pop

    Every one's a winner and it fits perfectly with your domain.

    Good luck and let me know what you think bro.

    Louis
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  • Just make it simple and like click bank market place, with all the products
    of click bank with your affiliate ID.

    Thanks

    Julie Kerr

    P.S. GOOD DOMAIN NAME
  • Just wondering how it's going Ron?

    Louis
  • Thread is too long so I don't know if anyone else mentioned this:

    Sell Lists - email and hardcopy
    Rent lists - same

    Find a email company (one of those paid to read) that has an affiliate program and use that - if fact, find 10 of them that have different niche lists and post your affiliate link to all of them

    This is the exact domain name that someone SEEKING a customer would go to.
  • I would create a site, that focuses on the most popular items in each category.

    For example, you could have an Ebay category, that lists the most popular ebay listings at any time. You can have a clickbank category, that lists the hottest clickbank items etc.
  • So, who got the $50 prize?

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  • 50

    I'm going to give a quick and easy $50 for the best idea in this thread (assuming we have some creative minded Warriors up for the challenge). I have this pretty cool domain name that I picked up recently but I'm not sure what I want to do with it. I think it sounds really profesisonal similar to Clickbank or Commission Junction.