Just launched a new online company!

[theokieza]

Hi guys!

I started my first online company. I just need a little advice!
It's lookitup.co.za.
It's an easy way to share your company's info!

But how do you go about promoting an online business? I tried google adwords but only get bounce traffic. They leave on the home page
Any ideas?

Thanks!

Theo

[daveob]

They leave on the home page
Any ideas?

Hi Theo

Welcome to the forum.

Looked at the site. Apart from the signup page, I don't see any others, so chances are a visitor would leave from the home page.

Personally, if I need a phone number or address, I just google. Usually faster than me trying to focus on the fine print in the phone book.

You might want to think about running it as a free service until you have a client / listing base and regular referrals, then start charging for the service.

I just don't see anyone paying R500 for a "new on the web" service.

[defZA]

Hi,

The site is very simple and clean which is nice.
But remember, users don't know what they want on that site, so they will just leave, because you give them no options or things to click on or narrow down or figure out what they want.

Good luck!


David

[theokieza]

Thanks for the ideas and honest critique guys!
I think my whole purpose of the site is not coming across clearly, like defZA said. Maybe add a bit more information as to what the site is actually used for and what problem it is trying to solve?

Hmmm need a bit more inspiration

[Sebzon]

I agree with daveob. I think as a marketing strategy you need some promotional registrations and when the business is up and running you can then start charging people.

I also went to your website. I didnt find any link(or page) so I think that is why everybody just go to the homepage and then leave.

[eitai2001]

I'm not quite sure what the little thought boxes at the bottom are supposed to mean ... "I'm here", "I'm bored" and especially "Yeah!!, I have..." ... I think they are a bit redundant ... I don't understand the message they are giving, and they just seem like empty space fillers.

I definitely say, let the first say 1000 companies register for 1 year for free, if you can get that many ... you are on the right track and can start charging.

Personally I can't justify R500 for a site that doesn't have a google rate as yet and I personally wouldn't pay to advertise. To give you an idea ... I pay R1000 a year to advertise on Oneshop premium listing ... for the first 2 years though, it was free ... now that they are massive, they started charging.

[theokieza]

Thanks for the thoughts! I'm still a noob in the marketing side of things and how to approach online business. A real noob actually!

But got quite good programming skills

There's so many aspects and doing it on my own in my spare time.

I've found awesome resources on this forum and you guys really help!

Thanks!

[theokieza]

Also the message about what problem the site solves is not being communicated clearly to the visitors. Something I need to fix

This site is not a business directory or advertising space. It's a web app that is trying to solve a problem

[eitai2001]

Also the message about what problem the site solves is not being communicated clearly to the visitors. Something I need to fix

This site is not a business directory or advertising space. It's a web app that is trying to solve a problem

Explain? I thought it was a business directory where you can search for a company using any detail ... have I got it wrong?

[theokieza]

Yep

You see when a customer phones you for your email address or BEE certificate, you always have to spell your email out to them and fax the certificate or email it to them, which means they then have to spell their email to you. And where I work I spell it almost 20 times a day! That's super frustrating!

I'm solving that with lookitup

[Sebzon]

So how are you solving the problem of not spelling the e-mail address? Does one has to use the number he phoned to search for the e-mail address on the web? What if the person who wants the e-mail address is the recipient of the phonecall.

Also we have to admit most/some of the companies have limited internet access if they have one. So how are you going to target those people?

[theokieza]

Yes, but if you need their e-mail, and they are not on lookitup then they have to spell theirs obviously, and that would encourage them to join. Then they can simply send you a blank email and you then get their e-mail or you can get their tel number if they are on lookitup.

And this is an online service so there is no way around that Also I think if they ask for your E-Mail address they should have access to internet?

Honestly, most businesses have internet already, if they don't you are out of luck. At my work place, only 2% do not have access to internet out of 494 companies!

Regards

[Chatmaster]

Hi theokieza

Welcome TFSA, and congrats on your online business, it is a very good idea you have there.

I would like to point out a few things that will help you.

1. Open up your directory service for free listings and then make an upsale for businesses to solve their problem that your site is actually intended to solve. This way you get more businesses to list and increase your pages in the Google index at the same time.
2. Open your business directory from the frontpage for SEO purposes. Natural rankings is your most important marketing tool and it will increase your chances to rank for the variety of business name searches on Google and other SE's.
3. Perceived value. One of the big problems your site has is explaining the value that your website offers. It gives a problem which I cannot really understand and a solution that offers no value to me. Express the value in terms of a offer I can not refuse. There is no squeeze so I will not care much closing your site...

[theokieza]

Thanks for the tips!

The site is now FREE and will monetize it at a later stage!

[adam@imagin8.co.za]

Hi, Theo. Take a look at Imagin8 (www.imagin8.co.za) - we provide coaching, mentoring and advice for small businesses and startups. Your problem may lie in more than just your advertizing strategy. Come chat to us - we have successfully cornered a section of the market in one of our own businesses by making a few simple product decisions which opened up the market for us.

Adam