Forum Moderators: phranque
I'm starting a new site related to a popular hobby that is not amazingly well served on the 'net.
This hobby can involve purchasing the actual hobby item, plus spare parts, etc.
I've got my domain, and have plans to add textual content (articles by myself, other authors, and probably some from RSS feeds), a forum, a link directory and also a classifieds section.
Now my question is, I was thinking about adding an auction site and a classifieds section. Are the 2 mutually exclusive, or is there little point in having both?
My idea was to have the classifieds be location based, such as 'Blue widgets in California' where as the auction would deal with things that sellers are more willing to post/ship.
The plan was to make the classifieds free, with featured items (front page) at a charge. Featured classified listings would also get you a free auction listing (or credit to your account).
Does this sound like a good plan?
Does anyone know a good free/affordable classifieds script that supports location based ads/searching?
The main plan is to make the site the 'authority' for this hobby and hopefully make some good money from AdWords, affiliates, etc.
(and doing it for the fun of it too - obviously :-) )
Sorry for the rambling first post - I've lurked for a long time and thought this would be the place to ask!
Now my question is, I was thinking about adding an auction site and a classifieds section.
On hobby sites my experience is classifieds can work quite well (both for the site and for the buyers/sellers).
Auctions are a tricky animal. First, you're up against the big guns like eBay (unless in your niche nobody uses eBay, although I would be amazed if that was the case). Secondly, what happens when things go wrong? Winning bidder doesn't buy, cheque bounces etc.
The more "involved" your site is, the more likely it is that your visitors will come to seek redress from you when it goes pear-shaped (and it will at some point).
Classifieds on the other hand are easy. Simple TOS, let them put up ads and leave them to it. Other than the initial advertisement appearing on your site, you are somewhat "detached" from the matter.
I would go with classifieds only, but for the above reasons, not for any "mutally exclusive" reasons.
TJ
Actually, a lot of people in my niche use eBay, so I was hoping to undercut the eBay pricing and bring a lot of them over to a widget specific aution site...
But classifieds are looking more promising from your post above.
Out of interest, how would you go about pricing?
Free standard listings, and charge for listings with a photo, and listings with extra exposure (featured in category/homepage)?
My biggest worry is that there is already a classifieds online for my niche, which is free - but poory organised, hard to navigate, has no images, etc.
Thanks,
C
Out of interest, how would you go about pricing?
I've only ever done them completely free as a value add and content builder, so can't answer that other than in general principles.
In order to charge, you need traffic. Undercutting eBay is just no good - people will rather pay a couple of dollars and get the coverage than pay 50 cents and not make a sale.
Given that this is a new site, I would get the thing up and running, servicing a decent level of traffic, and bolt in the classifieds later. At that point, when traffic levels are up, you'll be able to charge for it.
I think at that point, you'll also have a better idea of what to charge.
I would have a look here at the community and forum building forum, as a lot of elements of establishing a "community" or forum are relevant to running classifieds.
An empty and unused classifieds section looks just as bad as an empty and unused forum.
TJ
