Local business directory monetization

is this possible?

[54321go]

I'm looking for ideas on how to develop/monetize a small town real estate .com domain. (I'm not a realtor.) I hope this discussion will help others with other local service domains, plumbing, remodeling etc.

Does anyone think local realtors would advertise on the site and maybe pay a small premium for a featured listing? Maybe home centers, builders, plumbers, carpenters, paint and landscaping contractors, etc. would be interested in buying an ad as well.

For that matter, would this be considered a directory?

[LifeinAsia]

They might, IF you make them understand how your site is different from the hundreds/thousands of other sites doing the exact same thing. Chances are, they are already advertising on several and are either A) happy with the ROI they're getting (so not likely to try something different), or B) unhappy with their ROI (so not likely to risk money on what they see is essentially the same thing).

To land the sales, you will have to show them at least 2 things:
1) high amount of quality traffic to the site
2) how you are different from everyone else (and how that difference is an advantage)

[pageoneresults]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld 54321go!

Does anyone think local realtors would advertise on the site and maybe pay a small premium for a featured listing?

Based on what I'm hearing, the local realtors industry may be going through some radical restructuring over the next year or two and not one that I would be targeting at the moment. On 2007 August 03, Friday (what some are calling Black Friday for Independent Realtors), the market took a severe hit. Fannie Mae announced changes in loan policy, which I believe is what started it all. This is something that has been brewing for quite a few months.

Yes, it is very possible to build a directory that serves a local audience well. The thing is, it is going to take a fairly large budget to promote it. At the local level, you're going to want to take advantage of traditional advertising methods such as print, radio, tv, etc. You cannot rely on the slow process of "free search engine traffic" to build your directory, it won't happen.

If you plan on setting the benchmark, be prepared to dig deep into those pockets. You are going to need to spend money to make money, bottom line. Its not going to come for free unless you are pounding at it 16-20 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. ;) And even then, you probably won't reach as many consumers as you could by using traditional marketing methods.

[54321go]

It would seem that a way to start would be to set the site up as a sort of mini-directory with content and just see what happens.

Are there directory scripts or templates that also allow content to be added?

This is an experiment and a learning experience so any thoughts or suggestions welcomed.

[piatkow]

>>Are there directory scripts or templates that also allow content to be added?

If you mean getting advertisers to insert their own copy I am sure there are. BUT, if you are starting out as a free directory, (and who will pay to go in one without a track record?) then you are going to get a lot of off topic copy and outright spam to moderate.

Don't start me on getting advertisers to keep their listings up to date.