Need advise on my business idea

[steldes]

Hi all, please comment on my recent setup website garageexpo.
it has been up for a few months but seems not much response for my site. Will appreciate if anyone can view and comment on my site, and how to increase traffic to it.
urgent and thanks!

[cyber_m0nkey]

What have you done for marketing - online/offline?

I had a very quick look at the site and I think the idea is good. I also think that it would require a lot of marketing (placing this post here is a good start), but you need to do more, firstly make sure your meta-data is broad enough - this is the 'hook' that search engines index by. e.g. I did a search for garage sales on google (singapore site only) and your site wasn't anywhere on the first three pages - this is an easy fix and a powerful one (there will be an associated cost). Secondly target your market with print ads.

Did you get finance to setup the business? If so then you most likely created a business plan, this would normally conatin information your target market and marketing plans - re-read your plan.

[steldes]

Hi cyber_m0nkey, thanks for the prompt reply, really appreciated.

Ok, i created this site all by myself, without receiving any financial helps from the bank sector. For marketing, i only spread it around to my friends and those that advertise their garage sales on local newspapers, i sent them a sms telling them about my site.

Also, i have tried to post my site at some search engine provider except google as they come free. If im not wrong, google charge a minimal fee.
The reason why i want to cut down to zero cost startup is because im not too sure if my garage business plan will work in singapore. Please advise further.

[cyber_m0nkey]

I think you have answered your own question. You have limited response because there only very few people that know of the site.

For any web business to be succesfull you will need a huge number of hits/visitors to get a) people putting their items up for sale and b) people looking to buy. To get people to post/visit you will need to spend some money on marketing.

Good luck!

BTW. Nice website.

[faixal84]

hi,
to increase traffic, avoid making the mistake of using google adwords or overture for search engine marketing. it is not only costly but your competitor can sabotage you by falsely clicking on your url and you end up spending a lot of money. A LOT! in short, don't bother about search engine optimisation programs. just do basic submission to google,yahoo and msn.

The best way to increase traffic is through links. request the webmasters of major and popular local website operators like hardwarezone and some other popular local forum websites to exchange links with them. this means that you will have a link on their website which will direct visitors to your website and similarly, you will have a link on your website that will bring visitors to their website.

for offline marketing, advertising on radio is one of the more affordable mode of advertisement. you could also advertise on magazines or through popular forums. good luck!

[steldes]

Hi faixal84

Thanks for all your advise, especially on marketing strategies online/offline. really learn alot from your vast experience. ok, i will keep all your advise in mind. Btw, do you think hardwarezone will allow my link on their site?

[faixal84]

Hi faixal84

Thanks for all your advise, especially on marketing strategies online/offline. really learn alot from your vast experience. ok, i will keep all your advise in mind. Btw, do you think hardwarezone will allow my link on their site?

well i guess you got to send an email to them and discuss what kind of co-operation you both can work out together that will benefit each other. you could also try to spread the word around in hardwarezone forums. trust me, whatever that is circulated around in forums get around to people fast as people will spread it ard like fire if you have something interesting to offer.alternatively if you are really serious, try looking for investors.

[steldes]

thanks alot pal

[Close Encounter]

You should be able to add your website URL to Google free of charge, not sure how long it takes for them to index new websites nowadays.

I wish I could be more optimistic, unfortunately our website has been badly hit by the latest Google update and we lost about 80% of our product listings on their organic search engine. To survive, you need to be able to adapt to the new search engine algorithms which is constantly changing.

Or think of new ways to market your website outside Google and Pay per clicks like Google Adwords and Overture.

Good luck anyway, its a jungle out there...

[steldes]

Hi Close Encounter,

Thank you for sharing with me your real encounter, looks like its getting tougher nowadays to submit link to other site. have to update constantly.
btw, would like to know more about your website, care to share?