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Local website idea feedback?

by psionicmarketing
6 replies
Hey guys. I've been trying to think of a website that I could start locally that could provide value for visitors, as well as make me some money.

There is a website that is here that has a pretty good site as far as local job search goes... but I think I could do it just as well or better.

Are there any Wordpress themes you would recommend?

If anyone can provide any feedback that would be MUCH appreciated! Thanks!
#feedback #idea #local #website
  • Profile picture of the author psionicmarketing
    I thought this thread disappeared! Is it in the right forum?
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  • Profile picture of the author scottuga44
    it is thread about providing a service for brick and mortar businesses, so i vote "yes"
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  • Profile picture of the author sitefurnace
    I've often wondered how a local forum would do. You could build traffic via the forum andnthen charge local businesses for a directory listing.

    There's a forum called french entree that deals with english expats in france. I worked out the other day that they were charging something like 100 euros a month for business listings and they had hundreds of them.

    Interesting concept that I would like to explore further
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  • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
    A few quick thoughts for you.

    Why is this site able to sell the listings for $275 each when there are good free sites and cheaper job sites? What is their USP? You need to figure this out to combat them.

    I wouldn't be surprised if they also release a free promotion in response to you. What will you do in that case?

    You must find a way to build value other than the free angle. Your job listings will be your long term customers, most companies are continually looking for good employees, if you can demonstrate your value in the free 3-month period, you might snag them for good.

    Your other big questions to answer:
    How will you attract loads of job seekers and job poster simultaneously? You need to roll-out your campaign quickly.

    It may be easy to attract the free posters, but what will your process be to convert them to paid listings? Get your funnel laid out clearly, this is your business model.

    Wordpress might not work IMHO. You need someone working with you to get things sorted. You are going to have to sell to the companies, advertise to the seekers and run the site all at the same time. This is a lot of activity but you can do it...you just need to plan accordingly and find the right people to help.
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    • Profile picture of the author psionicmarketing
      Great reply Daniel! That really got me thinking.

      Is there any methods for advertising to local businesses that you suggest? Would going in to individual businesses with a business card be too much?
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      • Profile picture of the author DaniMc
        Originally Posted by psionicmarketing View Post

        Great reply Daniel! That really got me thinking.

        Is there any methods for advertising to local businesses that you suggest? Would going in to individual businesses with a business card be too much?
        I am traveling so no time for a proper reply.

        A business card is not nearly enough. Here is what I would do, if it were me.

        Join your local chamber of commerce. Use the list of their members.

        Create a simple advertisement, maybe a nicely done flier. Make it professional. Try to find all the advertising the other site is doing and copy it exactly. Copy what you know is working.

        I would write down ALL of the businesses that currently advertise on the other site. These are the ones I would see first.

        Take your advertisement with your business card on it to all the businesses who are advertising with your competitor. Make SURE you talk to the person who make the choice where to advertise for jobs. Anyone else is a waste of your time.

        Follow up that same day by mailing a handwritten note thanking them for their time and asking them to sign up for free to list their jobs.

        A week later call the businesses who have not signed up yet and ask them if all is OK and if they have visited the site. If they never visited, invite them to do so again.

        Some businesses will have signed up but will not have listed their jobs. Email and call them inviting them to list their jobs again.

        Every few weeks, contact them all again...tell them how many people have looked at their listings and other stats. If they haven't listed a job, invite them to do so again. Visit them regularly and form a relationship. These are local businesses, a relationship is essential. Ask the people who have not signed up why and if there is anything you can improve to get them to try it out.

        Getting job seekers to your site is another issue altogether.
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        Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
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