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Question for the web designers out there
12-19-2013, 08:37 PM
I have an idea for a site that on the surface would function something like a Tripadvisor (without the bells and whistles to start off). But it's dealing with a niche within a niche business and it's something no one is doing and I believe there's a market for.
Anyways, I want people to be able to search and rate businesses around the country. So essentially you could go to New York ---> New York City and there would be a list of different businesses with a rating out of 5 and maybe some stuff like their address with a Google maps link or something like that. Then you can click on it and read reviews or write your own.
But I'm not sure how to implement it. I'm just looking to get the basic infrastructure going myself to make sure there's a market, if the shit ends up looking like Craigslist in the beginning that's fine. If it does well, I'll pay someone to design something better in the future.
I don't mind doing the work and research, I'm just looking for someone to point me in the right direction and help me avoid spinning my tires. Can I pull this off with Wordpress? I've found a review plugin but I don't know how many businesses, cities, etc. I should add from the beginning. Am I better off creating bigger categories (state) to start off and then creating more subcategories (big cities -> small cities, etc.) as there are more reviews? Should I just manually create a listing for each business off the rip? I'm almost thinking I should just focus on my city and state first and then expand to other areas as it grows.
Thanks in advance.
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Question for the web designers out there
12-20-2013, 12:43 AM
^Nice, that does sound like it would work. I'll have to play around with it a little. Thanks.
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Question for the web designers out there
12-21-2013, 02:37 PM
@JohnQ: Good insight. It'd be great if the site got big but it will never be Yelp, Facebook, etc. It will serve a more focused demographic and it wouldn't be something you used every day. I'll still be targeting millions of people but it won't be something everyone and their mom is using.
Right now, this is mostly just a side project. What I planned on doing is just reinvesting any money it did make in the beginning. Or I can just divert money from somewhere else as needed. Couldn't I just have a completely new site made in the background and then redirect the url there when the time came? I don't see this as something that's just going to explode over night.
I like Yelp's layout and that would actually be more complicated then anything I'd ever need. I literally just want people to click on their city, see a list of businesses, and read or post a review. That's it. A little map in the corner showing the street location is about as much Google integration as I really need.
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Question for the web designers out there
12-21-2013, 02:42 PM
I might actually post a job on Elance on Monday though just to get an idea of what it'd cost me and then I can go from there.
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Question for the web designers out there
12-21-2013, 03:40 PM
Nice. I'm going to check out their forum and see where it leads me.
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Question for the web designers out there
12-21-2013, 03:58 PM
Are you doing this in order to make money?
My advice: go to local web development company.
A website is a lot like a house. If you build it with a fucked up foundation its not going to last long. If its a pretty simply build that doesnt require much customization and can use some pre-built back end software the price will be reasonable.
Go in for a consult, they are free. Its a face to face sitdown with a project manager and one or two other team members. That will last a half to an hour based on the complexity of the site. They will identify what your needs are and how to get it done. Approach multiple companies, at least three, as each different company may come up with a different solution. Have them work up proposals.
Now you have at least three written proposals. Read them through each and determine what the timeline, price, and finished product will be. Also make sure you review the terms of the contract. If you like the solution offered to you by company X but the price from company Y, you can ask X if they will do it for the lower price. Or you ask Y if they can do what X offered for the same price. As long as the prices aren't too far off, they will most likely agree unless they are loaded with too many projects at the time.
I've wasted thousands on dollars on trying pay a penny for a dollars worth of work.
Having face to face interaction with your development team is worth every extra penny you will spend. Trust me.
edit - even if you don't decide to go with any of the proposals, you now have a much better idea of the functionality you will need and how you can do it. Take very good notes and then hire a freelancer if you really really want to.
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Question for the web designers out there
12-22-2013, 04:28 AM
I'm a web developer. My worry is that you don't have a clear idea of what you want the site to do. So sit down and make some walkthroughs and mockups of the pages. i.e. like the Simpsons animators do when they're planning an episode.
Business review sites are common. My friend has one but he needs a massive marketing campaign to get it off the ground.