I need help in deciding if this business will work

[siggy1969]

Hello all! I just found this forum and I am kind of giddy to be with you all.

We have developed a business that will be launching in November and would like your input.

A little background:
Right after Sept. 11th with a new born daughter I asked God what was happening. I was tired of working for snakes and getting beaten down.

The seed of this vision came. Of course I didn't follow through.

2 years ago I was in a car accident. Deeply depressed again the words and vision came to me.... no follow through again on my part.

Well, I have been hit with the board enough times and I am going to listen.

As I am sure many of you can relate not everyone wants you to succeed so I am asking you all what you think. If it is not feasable that is ok but I am going to try!!

So please your honest opinion -

Our vision is to put Christian Businesses and Christians together to bless one another. I have asked many people and they said "of course we would love to do business with other christians" but they didn't know how. We know there are things like the Sheperds guide in some places but nothing on a grand national scale.

So we built our site doveslist.com. Yes a take off of craigslist and angies list but built for Christians. On the site you can look for businesses who want to give you a discount for their services in your area and all across the US and Canada. The site is not complete yet but the premise is there if you want to look.

It costs the members or browsers NOTHING! A business we are going to charge $100 per year to advertise.

Our interest is to save people money while blessing the business with more business.

Especially in this economy we know that people want to save and businesses NEED more businesses.

Why aren't we as Christians blessing each other more? We would like to help!

Our members will also have opportunities to save even more with additional features to be launched.

We are also not keeping any business away (other than smutty/immoral things). We feel that if a business blesses one of our members this is still a win/win situation.

So the question: Would you sign up for FREE to be a member to save money and what do you like or dislike about it.

Also if you were a business is $100/per year reasonable to advertise to your brothers and sisters as well as anyone else who finds this site!

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

God bless you all and I look forward to being here!

 

[TFM_John]

I have heard a number of times from Christian business owners that sometimes the most difficult people to do business with are Christians. I don't know myself, but I've been told that a few times by very successful business owners.

 

[siggy1969]

Thanks for the response!

That shouldn't be should it.

All we can do is try and change that.

 

[heron]

I think it's a great idea. Be careful of laws like EOE... look into implications before you go to far.

Locally we've had a few databases like this -- a Christian phone book, a megachurch's member business listing, and a Christian newspaper with ads. All of them seemed to work well and survive. None of them made extra money, to my knowledge.

Since it has been on your mind a long time, you've had a chance to let the idea simmer.

Don't feel guilty that you didn't jump right on it -- most callings I've heard of were drawn out like this, even if the person tried to jump into it. God wants you ready to do it well, and He can work around timing. Knowing so far in advance gave you time to decide, to plan, to train for what you needed, and prepare.

I've seen some creative ways of advertising lately -- organizations (like yours) asking for donations that they can give away or auction off for charity, provides advertising for the donor and more traffic for the organizer.

 

[siggy1969]

thanks Heron!

I appreciate the input!!!

 

[GeorgeWW]

Hi, siggy1969 and all!

I think most people look for the best quality for the best price.
Getting them to focus on blessing other believers is worth try, if you have the time and energy.
I doubt that businesses will pay to list until you have a big enough audience to make it worth their money.

 

[bsd13]

To be honest I like the concept, but I think $100.00 per year is a little steep to start with coming out of the gate. You've not proven your ability to deliver on the "goods" and direct business to them. I'd break it into more appealing bite sized chunks. Like maybe $5.00 per month for 12 months paid up front ($60.00), or $8 per month for 6 months paid up front ($48.00), $10.00 per month for 3 months ($30.00).

 

[pgp_protector]

Looking at site.
Not a business owner, though I've been tempted to start my own software development company for quick & dirty applications.

 

[pgp_protector]

One other thing.
Get rid of the default skin for your PHPBB install and customize it to your site.

EDIT.
and on the page http://www.doveslist.com/dovesads/
The home doesn't take you back to home (doveslist.com) but just takes you to the home of the dovesads.

 

[MaxP]

Make sure the site is simple and effective, with a good organization and search system.

I can't tell you how quickly people will be turned off if your site doesn't look and perform well.

EDIT: Saw the site, I would just say a little redesign would not be bad. Maybe arrange a little so the different types of businesses to browse are clearly available?
Like:
Automotive
Medical
(etc., etc.)

Are on the side, and maybe make a system where you can search for businesses by area code?
So not all the browsing is done by searching, but people can just bump around if they wish.