Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   humble_quests
   Member

   One thing I'm good at is recognizing trends, and I just discovered a way to tap into one of the latest and biggest SEO trends (which I can't divulge, sorry) that is just starting, and will be around for a while.

   Problem is, I don't know how to build websites--although I've looked into it, and I'm sure I could build a simple one. But my idea requires a complex one.

   My idea is for a service, not to sell, but where 2 parties exchange services...they're looking for each other, and my site would help them find each other.

   I'm sure my idea would make tons of money, and I don't want to give my idea to someone who will run with it and leave me in the dust.

   So is there a place one can go to find competent web programmers that might be interested in a legal partnership of some sort? Or how would you suggest I go about doing this? Any ideas are appreciated.

   My local startup weekend isn't until Nov! Even then, it seems one must have their idea up and running before they request VC and angel investments.

   P.S. I'm broke, but have a brilliant idea, and an eye for design and functionality...and for trends and what the site users would want and need. I could also supply site content, and do legwork, like PR work, getting the word out, and driving traffic. Would a partner find that useful?

   Posted 12 years ago #
2. 

   Buckleysmom
   Member

   So is there a place one can go to find competent web programmers that might be interested in a legal partnership

   Go to Google and type in "web programmers interested in a legal partnership". Or just start with "web programmers".

   Posted 12 years ago #
3. 

   ChrisS
   Administrator

   Why do you need a "complex" website?

   Your idea boils down to a consulting company. You identify emerging trends and you then identify companies best poised to profit from those trends. The "value added" from your expertise arises from knowing the trends and the various companies' strengths and weaknesses, in knowing their business better than they do. A "complex" website adds no substantial value because the companies still have to do all of the work themselves.

   Besides, it sounds like you're trying to take proprietary information (your intellectual property) and put it into the public domain, thus destroying the proprietary nature of your information. You're describing becoming a classic "middleman" but then allowing businesses to pair themselves, and removing yourself from the equation, which minimizes your profit potential.

   If your idea truly is brilliant then don't give it away.

   Posted 12 years ago #
4. 

   humble_quests
   Member

   @Chris, thanks...but no, it's not consulting.

   As I said, "they're looking for each other, and my site would help them find each other."

   My apologies if I wasn't clear...maybe I should clarify: it's like eBay, which brings buyers and sellers together...only my buyers and sellers aren't selling tangible items, but rather, services.

   I see them all over the web, looking for each other...my site would bring them together. I haven't found any other site doing this.

   It's complex because it would involve feedback, and this is a service that "buyers" and "sellers" would gladly pay (eventually, after initial free offerings maybe?) to be a part of...because there's no other place like it for them to find each other right now. Also, there would be a free option, and then a "members only" area with more advanced features. And different levels and categories of service...some for free, or exchange/trade, and some for sale.

   It's gonna be hot, whether I can get it rolling, or someone else does before me. I just wish it was me that made it happen.

   We'll see, I guess.

   And nope, don't plan to give it away...just thought I'd bring it to general, off-topic "talks" section here, and see if anyone had any ideas which way to go.

   Posted 12 years ago #
5. 

   Lester (Chip)
   English Mod

   idk I mean as a graphic/web designer myself I know of sites already where people look for designs and such they want done and what they want to pay and other members post their own needs and also respond to posted needs offering their services. SO this concept already exists but as for any service stretching beyond design I guess it is possible. It is also possible that it already exists but never took off and is lost in the world wide web unable to be found. Oh and also posting your idea in public like this where search engines will come and pick it up is not a good idea as someone is bound to steal it lol

   Posted 12 years ago #
6. 

   Deserthead47
   Member

   For a free website design program,have a look at

   http://www.serif.com/web-design-software/

   I've never tried it myself,but use some of their other softwares.

   Posted 12 years ago #
7. 

   humble_quests
   Member

   @Lester lol, ok, but I haven't revealed what service I'm bringing together, but good looking out. Btw, what sites do you know of that you mentioned where folks look for and offer design services? (besides oD*sk)

   @Deserthead47, thanks for the tip...looks cool!

   Maybe I can build the site myself...then I'd just need a team to brainstorm how to make it the best...and about $3k for a patent. lol

   Posted 12 years ago #
8. 

   watcher13
   Member

   I agree a lot with Chris. What you think is complicated in theory isn't as complicated in practice. It's not too much different than a blog or a forum, unless you're trying to facilitate true one on one communication between small businesses (or startups); and there's no particular reason that they can't contact each other directly after finding the "lead" from you. Even if you do more to facilitate that communication, what you're talking about is something like a business services version of the jobseeker networking site LinkedIn. You might want to check that out for implementation ideas. I haven't checked in a while, but I believe they probably mention what platform they use at the bottom - and you could use too (don't know if it's free or might be prohibitively expensive) - or at least what web design company they use, if they use one. It's basically social networking for business people, so any social network site can provide you with design ideas that might be relevant for your site.
   What we're trying to say is that website design itself isn't prohibitively hard. You just have to decide if you have the temperment for learning, more than the knowledge. For a simple website, you don't have to learn coding anymore. There are plenty of softwares and online programming sites that do the coding for you - such as DesertHead recommends(or the bbPress online service for forums that you can see at the bottom that GOTD uses), you just select the look. It's called WYSIWYG software (or service) - What You See Is What You Get - no coding necessary. In fact, nowadays, most Windows computers are going to come with one of the versions of Microsoft's frequently used webpage building software, Frontpage, or at least the cutdown Frontpage Express, so you likely already have one alternative on your machine.
   I particularly agree with Chris in that most experts recommend you keep your design as simple as possible. Bells and whistles tend to distract, make finding stuff more difficult, and sometimes create download speed issues (although less and less with faster services) and, more importantly, browser compatibility issues. IMHO, many tech companies simple have a lot of gimmicks on their websites because they believe they'd be ridiculed if their staff full of techheads didn't produce the last word in flashy websites.
   The main reason you would want to hook up with a web designer is if you have tech problems after the website is designed, such as compatibility with your ISP (the right one will help you design an excellent website for often only a small fee), or bandwidth issues, or if something doesn't display right.
   So it's really up to you if you want to try it. You might find it a useful skill even if it doesn't pan out helping you with this project. To reiterate, the point is: it's not as complicated to get up and running as you may think. I think I'd start out with my ISP. They might have free webpage building software that they recommend, and you might find that having them build you a site if you decide not try it yourself to be a good deal. Or at least a consult after you designed a site - probably for a modest fee - as to whether or not it's the best. In other words, they often have the webpro(s) you're looking for.

   Posted 12 years ago #

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