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New to Online Business - please assist

arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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Dear all,

Just finished reading The Millionaire Fastlane .

Had a revelation towards the end of the book, and that is for a Website which I believe would potentially serve the needs of millions by saving them thousands of pounds, making their process more efficient, giving them peace of mind and control over their sales.

If you have come across Auto Trader UK website (which is predominant in UK's auto commerce online), you'll see that it allows both (the dealers and private sellers) to advertise on it. They charge a fix lump sum for few different Ad types (large, average, small, plain, colourful), and one would pay different amounts for different types of ads. If one wants to advertise more than 2 weeks, they pay more. If one wants to ALSO appear on smartphone Apps, they pay more. If they want to appear on the printed monthly magazine nationwide, they pay more. And they cover used/new cars, vans, motobikes. They also provide insurance packages (as an affiliate). Their site also advertises other related professional services (relevant in geographical regions).

I want to apply the exact concept to an entirely DIFFERENT INDUSTRY.
Similar websites are in power (one with over 12million hits a month! the other with 6mill visits per month, etc) but they are NOT as thorough as I plan to design mine to cover all types of products. My concept is much bigger, even though my competitors are PLC companies!!!

So IF EXECUTED PROPERLY, my concept has a much higher potential in my view.

But since I am a COMPLETE NOVICE in internet business, and have no idea about websites, can I kindly ask for your advise on how to go on about this?

I gave the AutoTrader example so you would know what type a website I want to build.
And since I am serious about maintaining CONTROL, I want to learn every aspect necessary so I can easily manage my technicians and not depend on them...

So my No.1 Qs is: What do I need to learn to be able to build such website (with huge data on it)?

p.s. I am so excited, I've already purchased the DOMAIN of my choice for it :coolgleamA:

Thank you all for reading
 
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FrankSmith

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Oct 13, 2011
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Hi arman.london,

Don't worry too much on the data side and programming. This can be outsourced.

AutoTrader have market share and invested millions over the years on marketing and building there brand.

You need to focus on marketing, if you done market research and know there is a need. Get online as quickly as possible even if nothing is perfect and test the market place.

Take action right away.
 

arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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Hi arman.london,
Don't worry too much on the data side and programming. This can be outsourced.
AutoTrader have market share and invested millions over the years on marketing and building there brand.
You need to focus on marketing, if you done market research and know there is a need. Get online as quickly as possible even if nothing is perfect and test the market place.
Take action right away.

FrankSmith,

Thank you very much for your reply.

Yes, I have carried out Market Research - there is great need - in fact my concept could change the face of the industry entirely! Many high street slowlane-businesses will hate me for it!

But I don't know how to set up a website like AutoTrader, for example.
Any recommendations on where to begin the construction?

Thank you again.
 

FrankSmith

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Oct 13, 2011
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Do you have a budget in mind in setting up the website?

Check out Elance, Odesk, Guru for freelancers. Make sure to check feedback and never pay upfront. Do you have a spec designed, can you get a mock up with you explaining on video. Give your self targets to reach for example go to Elance, website draft online and get your first customer end of the week.
 
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arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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Do you have a budget in mind in setting up the website?
Check out Elance, Odesk, Guru for freelancers. Make sure to check feedback and never pay upfront. Do you have a spec designed, can you get a mock up with you explaining on video. Give your self targets to reach for example go to Elance, website draft online and get your first customer end of the week.

FrankSmith,

I think you have too much faith in my level of knowledge. I don't even know how much budget I need to be looking at. And as I mentioned earlier, I'm a complete novice, and reluctant to hire someone to design it for me without a prior knowledge of the nuts and bolts.

Would it be reasonable to spend a week studying the structure and the method of designing a website, and perhaps hire a trainer to learn how to lay the foundation myself, and then get an expert if I encountered problems?
 

Strive

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Aug 17, 2012
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I recommend you purchase an INSIDERS's subscription and listen to HealthStatus' INSIDERS conference call "Outsourcing with Elance". He covers what you need to know when outsourcing and how not to get burnt. This may ease your nerves when hiring someone and can help you with what needs to get done. The subscription would be worth it for that alone, but aside from that call there is a wealth of knowledge available on the inside that will definitely make your journey much easier.
 
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arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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FrankSmith
Do you have a plan in place to get your first customer?
Yes:
Get the website up and running > work on SEO > give 6 months FREE subscription to "dealers" with option to cancel at the end (if not pleased) > this will drive heavy traffic to my site & people will start to experience "THE BRAND" I create, and it may suffice at Tempting "Private Sellers" to Pay to advertise on the site too!

Strive
"Outsourcing with Elance"
Thank you for your recommendation.
I have highly skilled web designers amongst my friends (one of whom actually runs the Benz' UK's website)!
They will most definitely assist with my website design,
But as I kindly mentioned before, I want to be educated and have the nuts & bolts of website development before approaching them.

Any recommendations?
 

arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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Hi everyone...

Was there really no recommendations for me? :(

MJ DeMarco studied everything for himself - the programming, the SEO, the graphics, etc...
I need to do the same! I don't want to give control to a freelancer from scratch!
I don't have the financial resources nor the desire to let someone else build my reality for me.

I just need to know what to study...
a site like that of AutoTrader.co.uk is quite complicated.
I am willing to spend 3-6 months learning the nuts & bolts, and THEN bring an expert to help me to build it.
I'll borrow money to finance the expert once I have the full picture in place, no worries.

Please, tell me what the process is.

Thank you everyone
 

Talisman

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The process is doing. If you're willing to spend 3-6 months learning the nuts & bolts - then start today, you'll be finished sooner.

Start with "I need to know how to do X", and then learn about X. The site is complicated, so break it down into pieces that you want to know about. Once you research one of those pieces, you'll be able to add more detail to that piece, and decide if you need to learn more, or move onto the next piece.

It's the proverbial mountain - daunting in its entirety, so break it down into stages, and work on those until you conquer it.
 
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arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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I'm happy you've said it - it is much of an echo of my inner voice...

I will now begin, without hesitation, to self-teach myself. I presume everything is available online and I'd know what I'm lacking.

Thanks Talisman
 

arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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Dear Fastlaners,

I really need and would very much appreciate your feedbacks:

Please think of Gumtree for a second. It has multiple fields of activity (it is Not branded as a Specialist in any of those sectors).

For its REAL-ESTATE sector, it accommodates listings from (private owners, estate agents, and even those “looking” for specific properties), and it covers all branches of real-estate, be it residential, commercial, industrial, etc.

Then, in terms of pricing in the property section, it’s free for the first 2 ads you post within 12 months, and if you are an agent, you can post multiple properties if you buy a monthly subscription of only £49/m. then if you want to “bump-up” your ad, or make it “featured” you will pay extra £4 or £5 for either of those.

The problem with Gumtree, in my view, is its “average search engine” and an image that is just doesn’t convey specialism or professionalism.

Now let’s briefly compare its real-estate sector, with its Automotive sector:
Again the exact same concept applies… all sellers, all types of cars, all very cheap fees… but with an average engine, and a not so specialised site…
Hence why a brand like AUTO-TRADER is thriving in the market over Gumtree…and it’s charging quite a lot for its well-known website!

Would YOU advise me to make a brand in Real-Estate sector, just as AutoTrader does in automotive sector?

If you think “well, if AutoTrader does it for autos, then you should be able to do it for properties too” let me add a few complications:
- AutoTrader was already well-established before Gumtree in the UK…but I’m a little-budget new-comer! How am I going to go Optimise myself on Searches?!
- Then there is another HUGE PLC competitor in the market called RightMove.co.uk - but it Only works with “estate agents” and not Private dudes. Again, what am I going to do about this big brand with 12.5million searchers on it every 30days!!!

All in all, maybe I’m not adding much of a value with my idea… and I’m going against brands who are separately doing what I want to do in 1 package!

I am in need of advice BIG TIME!

Thank you so much for reading. Look forward to hearing back.
 

JasonR

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Was there really no recommendations for me?

If you want someone to tell you what to do, get a job. Work for someone. No one is going to tell you how to build your dreams.

The knowledge is out there. Grab it if you want it bad enough.
 
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arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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If you want someone to tell you what to do, get a job. Work for someone.
With all respect, you seem to have misunderstood:
I was only asking for advise on the best "resource" to learn the "website development"!!!
After all, that's what this forum is about ...
 

MJ DeMarco

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I was only asking for advise on the best "resource" to learn the "website development"!!!

Google.

Seriously.

I love it when people ask me "what books did I read?" Seriously? You want to know what books I read in 1999 to program a website? Those books are out of print and the languages are antiquated. You learn a language on a problem-by-problem basis. As solved problems increase, so does your aptitude and your application.

You can't build a website until you first learn how to build a page. Likewise, you can't write a book until you first learn how to write a paragraph.
 

Tom.V

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You don't need advice on the process. You need some down and dirty research to get to the point where you can actually ask questions that will help you. Right now it seems as if you are looking for a "process handout". There is just too much involved to properly explain to a novice. My suggestion would be put in the due diligence, THEN come back and let us know what problems you are having, and what you have learned.
 
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arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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MJ DeMarco,
Thank you. I will pursue learning website development step by step.

May I ask for your kind input on my 2nd question, regarding the idea of a Real Estate Listing site?
I've re-posted this question on another forum for clarity - I shouldn't have sent it here in the first place - sorry.


You don't need advice on the process.
Ungodly,
Thank you for your response.
Are you referring to my 1st question, RE website development?
if so, I understand your point and I will put in the research to get in on.
As mentioned to MJ, I would appreciate your answer to the question on the other forum.
 

LamboMP

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arman.london

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Jun 17, 2013
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Read MJ's article How to Accomplish Anything “Big†In Life Without Getting Swallowed.
LamboMP
I've just read it - sounds like he's talking about me :p
Thanks a bunch for the link mate...

AND thanks to everyone sharing their thoughts so far...

I'm no longer concerned, and have already taken the 1st step of my website development this afternoon :cool:
 
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