Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 11 to 18 of 18

Thread: Newbie here

  1. #11
    Post Impressionist
    Array
    vangogh's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Boulder, Colorado
    Posts
    15,059
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    If that's what your customers are saying then it makes sense to go with it. My comments are more a general one. Historically small businesses haven't been able to sustain competition on price and usually the better strategy is to compete on value. The problem with competing on price is someone else can always offer a lower price (or in your case a better commission). Companies that attract customers through price have to then continue to lower prices or their customers leave. Only large companies have the resources to continue to get into a price war and survive.

    You know your business better than I do and I won't pretend to know more about it. If you think you're on the right track you should definitely follow that track and not listen to me. I wanted to point out about competing on price in general, but I'm definitely not trying to tell you what to do. More getting you to think about your strategy so you can make it as sound as possible.
    l Join me as I share my creative process and journey as a writer | StevenBradley.me
    l Design, Development, Marketing, and SEO Tutorials | Steven Bradley's Notebook
    l Get my book about Design Fundamentals

  2. #12
    Registered User
    Array
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    353

    Default

    Welcome - look forward to watch your company grow. Don't be affraid to try new things and see what works and what doesn't. Also, regarding price or diversity of products/offerings - ask your potential customers what they want - what they can't get from groupon - then do that and do it well. Know that you have two sets of customers - the businesses that list (you need to offer them services they can't get elsewhere) and those that come for the deals (you need to provide them services they cannot get elsewhere). Welcome.
    Capital LookUp - Business Information At Your Finger Tips!

  3. #13
    Registered User
    Array
    Steve B's Avatar

    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Louisville Kentucky
    Posts
    2,024

    Default

    Which market are you going to be in first? How are you gathering your e-mail addresses?
    Steve B

  4. #14
    Registered User
    Array
    grabbd's Avatar

    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    columbus, ohio
    Posts
    16

    Default

    Right now we are concentrating on the Columbus market since that is where we all live and it is easier for us to meet with the businesses. We have other cities listed. We can add any city as long as we get enough interest in it. We are using Facebook, Fiverr, Twitter and some ads on craigslist to get subscribers. It's working so far. I just added your facebook page to my likes. If you ever plan on expanding the pet food delivery into Columbus let me know and I'll help get it started for you.
    Have you grabbd your deal today?

  5. #15

    Default

    Best of luck in your new venture. There seem to be over 200 "groupon clones" in the market, though many of them are private-labeled daily deal sites sponsored by publishers. Differentiation will be key and finding a vertical or niche market would seem to be key.

  6. #16
    Registered User
    Array
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    wichita, kansas
    Posts
    30

    Default

    I think you should target the business that groupon leaves on the table. There are several businesses that they dont want to deal with because they are services and they dont have a cut and dried product. Take my business for example, if you offer a one time service at a below average price, you get the benefit of half the profits but I get the benefit of getting paid to make a sales call because that is half of what my one time visit is. It is a sales call for me to sell you a full years service. I would definately sign up for something like that. The customer still gets more than their money worth but I now have a new contact that would not have signed up had they not been interested in my service in the first place. Just something to think about.

  7. #17
    Registered User
    Array
    ruth's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    North Florida, USA
    Posts
    23

    Default

    Vangogh, I needed to hear this: "Historically small businesses haven't been able to sustain competition on price and usually the better strategy is to compete on value." THANKS!

  8. #18
    Registered User
    Array
    ruth's Avatar

    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    North Florida, USA
    Posts
    23

    Default

    Dan, I love the maintenance service that you offer! What a good idea!

    Is your business doing well - did it "catch on"?

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •