Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts!

wuping · 6th Jan 2012, 03:47 PM

Hi warriors!
So I've been geeking around with the creation of some basic html mobile websites. However Im all for residual income and have been thinking about how to make residual income via mobile websites.

I'm thinking about doing it the following way:
Offer a FREE customized mobile website including 3-6 pages (like adress, about, opening hours etc).
I will design the site AND host it for FREE 1 month. When the month is up, I call the business and ask them if they would like to continue having a mobile website. If 'yes' I will charge them something like 20-30 dollars per month including free updates (if they need their opening hours changed or something). If 'no' it would be absolutely no problem (nor hard feelings) and I would simply just remove their mobile site and ask them to call me if they change their mind.

I know 20-30 dollars per month for a client isn't a lot of money, however I think it would be very easy to get clients with such an offer, because of a) It's absolutely risk-free b) The client will have a hard time letting go of something he's already had.

Share your thoughts

!

HypeText · 6th Jan 2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by wuping

Hi warriors!
So I've been geeking around with the creation of some basic html mobile websites. However Im all for residual income and have been thinking about how to make residual income via mobile websites.

I'm thinking about doing it the following way:
Offer a FREE customized mobile website including 3-6 pages (like adress, about, opening hours etc).
I will design the site AND host it for FREE 1 month. When the month is up, I call the business and ask them if they would like to continue having a mobile website. If 'yes' I will charge them something like 20-30 dollars per month including free updates (if they need their opening hours changed or something). If 'no' it would be absolutely no problem (nor hard feelings) and I would simply just remove their mobile site and ask them to call me if they change their mind.

I know 20-30 dollars per month for a client isn't a lot of money, however I think it would be very easy to get clients with such an offer, because of a) It's absolutely risk-free b) The client will have a hard time letting go of something he's already had.

Share your thoughts

!

Often when you offer a service or product for free it creates Skepticism and Resistance from the Buyer.

Offering a Service on subscription is fine, but if you are doing it on a free trial you will want to set them up on recurring billing where a Credit Card is billed automatically at the end of the trial.

If you plan on calling them in 30 Days and "asking" if they want to keep it you will experience almost 100% attrition."

Why?

Because 30 Days isnt long enough for them to realize any value from the Mobile Website.

If you set them up on recurring billing then its "set it and forget it", as in the Customer won't even have to think about it when the billing cycle comes around and you will actually get your money.

wuping · 6th Jan 2012, 05:43 PM

HypeText you really have some great points!
Especially about having them to sign up for the service right away and making it automatically bill when the free 30 days are up.

Yes I've been thinking about the downsides of offering a free mobile website. I guess the perceived value is lessened when offered for free, but do you think the free offer could be justified because i'm just starting and need references or something? How would you tackle it?

HypeText · 6th Jan 2012, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by wuping

HypeText you really have some great points!
Especially about having them to sign up for the service right away and making it automatically bill when the free 30 days are up.

Yes I've been thinking about the downsides of offering a free mobile website. I guess the perceived value is lessened when offered for free, but do you think the free offer could be justified because i'm just starting and need references or something? How would you tackle it?

You hit the nail on the head with your statement regarding perceived value.

There are a couple ways to tackle the lack of experience issue.

Here is my best suggestion...

One would be to not collect payment for the site upfront. Essentially agree to design the site to their satisfaction prior to collecting initial payment.

Monthly billing should ALWAYS be automatic. If you try to bill each month you will lose customers quickly.

wuping · 6th Jan 2012, 06:01 PM

Would you then charge for the design too? Or just make sure they're happy with the design, give them 30 days free hosting and then charge them?

And thanks once again HypeText - Really seems like you've got this mobile thing down

HypeText · 6th Jan 2012, 06:15 PM

Originally Posted by wuping

Would you then charge for the design too? Or just make sure they're happy with the design, give them 30 days free hosting and then charge them?

And thanks once again HypeText - Really seems like you've got this mobile thing down

I would definitely charge for the design, you will want to make sure your pricing is competitive though...

How many new businesses do see opening that start out by giving free tune-ups, haircuts, meals, clothing or other products?

Time is Money....I doubt you would give your money away...

If you want to give away a few sites for just hosting to build a portfolio then I would suggest approaching some local charitable entities that might benefit from it and use those for your portfolio...

HypeText · 6th Jan 2012, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by ElenaEn

I agree with HyperText here - 30 days is clearly not enough for the client to experience the value of the mobile site.

Another suggestion that may work for some scenarios: ask your client what their lead is worth to them, and charge them something on a per-lead basis, if you can do that of course. (If you do that, make sure you set up tracking for tap-to-call buttons in addition to mobile forms).

Main thing to keep in mind is that many small businesses are clueless on how the mobile site is going to help them generate more revenue, unless you explain and offer to manage a few additional steps in the process for them:

1. Mobile site with the mobile form-> lead generation into MailChimp (or another email newsletter program) -> monthly newsletter -> improved customer loyalty and awareness

2. Mobile site + SMS opt-in -> SMS subscriber list -> repeat business

3. Mobile site with Facebook RSS feed and "Like" -> more fans

4. Google Place page+ mobile site -> more positive reviews -> higher rankings on the "map"

5. Monthly video on YouTube and mobile site -> better SEO rankings and trust

6. Social links and shares on the mobile site -> more fans and higher SEO rankings.
... etc

Thanks for Agreeing with me...

BUT...You get 10 Demerit Points for putting an "R" in my company name...its "HYPETEXT! lol

Magnum1 · 7th Jan 2012, 12:27 AM

I would definately drop the idea of offering a 30 day free trial. Like HypeText said, if you are set on this idea, make sure you already have them setup for recurring billing at the end of the trial period.

Most people you will deal with will not (and are to busy) to pay attention to what is happening with their new mobile website in the first 30 days. They are trying to run their business. Many would not give it another thought until they hear from you 30 days later. So, there will not be a perceived value and they will usually not continue service.

Mobileico · 7th Jan 2012, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Magnum1

I would definately drop the idea of offering a 30 day free trial. Like HypeText said, if you are set on this idea, make sure you already have them setup for recurring billing at the end of the trial period.

Most people you will deal with will not (and are to busy) to pay attention to what is happening with their new mobile website in the first 30 days. They are trying to run their business. Many would not give it another thought until they hear from you 30 days later. So, there will not be a perceived value and they will usually not continue service.

I wholehearted and heavily disagree. I offer a $10 for 30 day test drive. It works. They get weekly analytics and I work my ass of so that they stay involved. We have fun. I can actually say this because I do this and it works. You have probably never had tried it and just giving a thought. That's not a good way to give advice, and if you are doing it and it's not working, then you're not doing something right.

Furthermore, the first 30 days is the most important period. You have to seal the deal, get involved and getting them involved. If you don't work your butt off in the first 30 days, you've lost. Mobile websites are like toys for businesses. They're exciting and inviting. Why wouldn't they want to get involved? Here's a secret: Once you get it in their hands, it's smooth sailing from there. They won't let it go.

Magnum1 · 7th Jan 2012, 03:37 AM

Originally Posted by Mobileico

I wholehearted and heavily disagree. I offer a $10 for 30 day test drive. It works. They get weekly analytics and I work my ass of so that they stay involved. We have fun. I can actually say this because I do this and it works. You have probably never had tried it and just giving a thought. That's not a good way to give advice, and if you are doing it and it's not working, then you're not doing something right.

Furthermore, the first 30 days is the most important period. You have to seal the deal, get involved and getting them involved. If you don't work your butt off in the first 30 days, you've lost. Mobile websites are like toys for businesses. They're exciting and inviting. Why wouldn't they want to get involved? Here's a secret: Once you get it in their hands, it's smooth sailing from there. They won't let it go.

Mobileico: I'm not saying there is no way this can work. Everyone has to find what works for them. The key is you "work your butt off in the first 30 days, get involved and getting them involved. They get weekly analytics and I work my ass of so that they stay involved." I agree that's necessary to succeed with this approach and with any approach.

I'm not here to start a bickering match. This fourm is supposed to be a place to share experiences and ideas. Like I said, Everyone has to find what works for them. I am sharing my experience and those of many other offliners that I converse with daily on our own forum. It doesn't mean I'm right....It means that is what works for me.

I get payment at my first meeting AND also work my butt off and have fun getting involved and getting them involved. That's just the business model I have found works the best for me.

"Once you get it in their hands, it's smooth sailing from there. They won't let it go" EXACTLY!...that's another reason you don't have to give them 30 days.

wuping · 7th Jan 2012, 11:04 AM

The only thing I'm worried about is attracting a business if they have to pay a setup fee. In my country, mobile website is SO new and completely untapped, hence the business owners may have a hard time realizing how valuable it can be to have a mobile website.

For example I emailed 10 different restaurants and received absolutely no response. Even two of the websites were flash-based, meaning iPhone users can't even see their website. I took a screenshot and attached it, however no one responded.
The restaurant business in my country, is however not doing too well overall at the moment, and investing like 500 dollars in a mobile website, where the benefit (more customers) is hard to track, prove and a completely NEW way of advertising/using their website.

Therefore I thought that this doubt could be eliminated by offering to set it up for free (until the business is satisfied with the design, setup etc) and then give them something like 30 days to test it out, and then charge them.

mwoolerymedia · 7th Jan 2012, 11:14 AM

Im not so sure on the whole mobile marketing thing. Quite honestly when i see an ad come through on my phone I delete it. Irratates me actually. But this is where its going supposedly but I have my doubts.

wuping · 7th Jan 2012, 11:24 AM

It isn't mobile marketing, like sms-advertising etc.

It's a mobile website. Basically a replica of the "normal" website, just optimized for mobile viewing.

HypeText · 7th Jan 2012, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by wuping

The only thing I'm worried about is attracting a business if they have to pay a setup fee. In my country, mobile website is SO new and completely untapped, hence the business owners may have a hard time realizing how valuable it can be to have a mobile website.

For example I emailed 10 different restaurants and received absolutely no response. Even two of the websites were flash-based, meaning iPhone users can't even see their website. I took a screenshot and attached it, however no one responded.
The restaurant business in my country, is however not doing too well overall at the moment, and investing like 500 dollars in a mobile website, where the benefit (more customers) is hard to track, prove and a completely NEW way of advertising/using their website.

Therefore I thought that this doubt could be eliminated by offering to set it up for free (until the business is satisfied with the design, setup etc) and then give them something like 30 days to test it out, and then charge them.

10 Emails is NOT going to give you a valid response rate when using email (or any other marketing method). This is why Spammers send out Thousands, if not Millions of emails to get a response.

Email marketing will generally only garner a 1% to 3% response rate. Even at 3%....10 emails isnt going to be effective.

bloggerd · 7th Jan 2012, 12:33 PM

I agree with HyperText and the other fellow warriors here -drop the idea of offering a 30 day free trial.if you are set on this idea, Get them signed up for recurring billing to start at the end of the trial period, If they are not happy they will contact you or cancel it them self..

wuping · 7th Jan 2012, 01:32 PM

The other thing I'm wondering about too, is creating the residual income.

I'm worried that, most business owners will say "hey, I wan't to pay you 250 dollars and OWN the mobile website" because they don't feel like paying an additional fee for hosting the mobile website.

As already explained, I'm much more into residual income than a one-time-fee. I'm about worried about this, as I would much rather like to host it and get the residual income.

I believe the solution to this, could be to charge like 1000 dollars for the mobile website if they would like to buy it, OR offer the hosting solution for 20-30 dollars per month (also includes updates as long as they're subscribing to the hosting).

HypeText · 7th Jan 2012, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by wuping

The other thing I'm wondering about too, is creating the residual income.

I'm worried that, most business owners will say "hey, I wan't to pay you 250 dollars and OWN the mobile website" because they don't feel like paying an additional fee for hosting the mobile website.

As already explained, I'm much more into residual income than a one-time-fee. I'm about worried about this, as I would much rather like to host it and get the residual income.

I believe the solution to this, could be to charge like 1000 dollars for the mobile website if they would like to buy it, OR offer the hosting solution for 20-30 dollars per month (also includes updates as long as they're subscribing to the hosting).

Quite frankly, I have never heard a merchant complain about hosting fees.

They pay for hosting for their main website and most of them don't even know they can "Add On" a domain.

DanielMilstein · 7th Jan 2012, 06:35 PM

Sounds like you have a great start, Wuping. Definitely the future is in mobile technology and in micropayments. You're going to hear a lot about that in the next couple of years. People are going to be making a killing from selling products and services for next to nothing for pennies a month and then turning those customers into larger sales after they've built a relationship with them.

HypeText and Bloggerd are spot on.

I found a great article on micropayments that might be helpful to you: Micropayments « Barefoot Creative

One of the things I did before I became a bestselling author and long before Inc Magazine voted us one of the fastest growing companies is we weren't afraid to experiment and try new things. Sounds like you have the same mindset Wupling. Anyway, keep going. You're off to a great start.

6th Jan 2012, 03:47 PM	#1
wuping Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 21 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: Hi warriors! So I've been geeking around with the creation of some basic html mobile websites. However Im all for residual income and have been thinking about how to make residual income via mobile websites. I'm thinking about doing it the following way: Offer a FREE customized mobile website including 3-6 pages (like adress, about, opening hours etc). I will design the site AND host it for FREE 1 month. When the month is up, I call the business and ask them if they would like to continue having a mobile website. If 'yes' I will charge them something like 20-30 dollars per month including free updates (if they need their opening hours changed or something). If 'no' it would be absolutely no problem (nor hard feelings) and I would simply just remove their mobile site and ask them to call me if they change their mind. I know 20-30 dollars per month for a client isn't a lot of money, however I think it would be very easy to get clients with such an offer, because of a) It's absolutely risk-free b) The client will have a hard time letting go of something he's already had. Share your thoughts!

6th Jan 2012, 05:43 PM	#3
wuping Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 21 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: HypeText you really have some great points! Especially about having them to sign up for the service right away and making it automatically bill when the free 30 days are up. Yes I've been thinking about the downsides of offering a free mobile website. I guess the perceived value is lessened when offered for free, but do you think the free offer could be justified because i'm just starting and need references or something? How would you tackle it?

6th Jan 2012, 06:01 PM	#5
wuping Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 21 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: Would you then charge for the design too? Or just make sure they're happy with the design, give them 30 days free hosting and then charge them? And thanks once again HypeText - Really seems like you've got this mobile thing down

7th Jan 2012, 12:27 AM	#8
Magnum1 Active Warrior Join Date: 2011 Posts: 61 Thanks: 17 Thanked 15 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: I would definately drop the idea of offering a 30 day free trial. Like HypeText said, if you are set on this idea, make sure you already have them setup for recurring billing at the end of the trial period. Most people you will deal with will not (and are to busy) to pay attention to what is happening with their new mobile website in the first 30 days. They are trying to run their business. Many would not give it another thought until they hear from you 30 days later. So, there will not be a perceived value and they will usually not continue service.

7th Jan 2012, 11:04 AM	#11
wuping Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 21 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: The only thing I'm worried about is attracting a business if they have to pay a setup fee. In my country, mobile website is SO new and completely untapped, hence the business owners may have a hard time realizing how valuable it can be to have a mobile website. For example I emailed 10 different restaurants and received absolutely no response. Even two of the websites were flash-based, meaning iPhone users can't even see their website. I took a screenshot and attached it, however no one responded. The restaurant business in my country, is however not doing too well overall at the moment, and investing like 500 dollars in a mobile website, where the benefit (more customers) is hard to track, prove and a completely NEW way of advertising/using their website. Therefore I thought that this doubt could be eliminated by offering to set it up for free (until the business is satisfied with the design, setup etc) and then give them something like 30 days to test it out, and then charge them.

7th Jan 2012, 11:14 AM	#12
mwoolerymedia Active Warrior Join Date: 2010 Location: Washington State Posts: 56 Thanks: 31 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: Im not so sure on the whole mobile marketing thing. Quite honestly when i see an ad come through on my phone I delete it. Irratates me actually. But this is where its going supposedly but I have my doubts.

7th Jan 2012, 11:24 AM	#13
wuping Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 21 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: It isn't mobile marketing, like sms-advertising etc. It's a mobile website. Basically a replica of the "normal" website, just optimized for mobile viewing.

7th Jan 2012, 12:33 PM	#15
bloggerd Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 678 Thanks: 96 Thanked 171 Times in 141 Posts Blog Entries: 14	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: I agree with HyperText and the other fellow warriors here -drop the idea of offering a 30 day free trial.if you are set on this idea, Get them signed up for recurring billing to start at the end of the trial period, If they are not happy they will contact you or cancel it them self..
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7th Jan 2012, 01:32 PM	#16
wuping Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Posts: 21 Thanks: 10 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: The other thing I'm wondering about too, is creating the residual income. I'm worried that, most business owners will say "hey, I wan't to pay you 250 dollars and OWN the mobile website" because they don't feel like paying an additional fee for hosting the mobile website. As already explained, I'm much more into residual income than a one-time-fee. I'm about worried about this, as I would much rather like to host it and get the residual income. I believe the solution to this, could be to charge like 1000 dollars for the mobile website if they would like to buy it, OR offer the hosting solution for 20-30 dollars per month (also includes updates as long as they're subscribing to the hosting).

7th Jan 2012, 06:35 PM	#18
DanielMilstein Active Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 64 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Mobile website idea - tell me your thoughts! Share on: Sounds like you have a great start, Wuping. Definitely the future is in mobile technology and in micropayments. You're going to hear a lot about that in the next couple of years. People are going to be making a killing from selling products and services for next to nothing for pennies a month and then turning those customers into larger sales after they've built a relationship with them. HypeText and Bloggerd are spot on. I found a great article on micropayments that might be helpful to you: Micropayments « Barefoot Creative One of the things I did before I became a bestselling author and long before Inc Magazine voted us one of the fastest growing companies is we weren't afraid to experiment and try new things. Sounds like you have the same mindset Wupling. Anyway, keep going. You're off to a great start.
	I am the bestselling author of THE ABC OF SALES - find out why your sales are slipping