Windows Live in Public Beta

MS Consolidates Local Search, Services and Community

[trillianjedi]

Windows Live Expo is an online classified service Microsoft plans to launch in the United States, the company said. In addition to traditional classified ads--such as listings of items for sale or apartments for rent--the service also will provide social networking and community features.

[pcworld.com...]

[trinorthlighting]

Yes, I am busy posting items for sale on this forum this morning. Very easy to do, list a product title, short description and include a website link right to the product I am selling, and add a picture. This may be a great way to get some deep links to my websites. This may be MSN's competition to Ebay.....

[trillianjedi]

This may be MSN's competition to Ebay.....

And Google.

I don't really see anyone knocking eBay off their perch just yet though.

[bostonBeans]

Yeah, it is going to be a while until anyone challenges Ebay - and even longer until they can turn a meaningful profit on these models. Ebay has critical mass, and that means higher prices for sellers and better selection for buyers. Google and MSN literally have to give away listings with the hope that the growing inventory will drive buyers to the site - moving them towards a critical mass where they could then actually start to monetize the listings.

MSN's Expo service does have a few interesting twists. One is the 'wanted' tab - so they are creating a potential market of both buyers and sellers. The second is the inclusion of 'Services' category. Google Base also supports this, and I think this is a very interesting part of the market. Why can't local plumbers auction off their spare capacity? Seems like an underserved part of the market.

-bB

[stef25]

"We're glad you want to try it" - sounds so google

[trinorthlighting]

I posted about 30 products on the site today with links to products. I am getting some hits to my website from it.

[trinorthlighting]

Well, I posted items on there and the traffic fell off. I noticed that in the general merchandise for sale I have 90% of the products. Looks like there is not much traffic coming from or going to this site. May be a microsoft flop.