Website Idea: Crowd Service, Power of Crowds in the Offline world.

in Website Ideas by Francis Simisim — January 18, 2009 at 9:47 PM | 3 comments

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With the recent economic downturn, I started to think of ways how people can save more money using the internet in the “offline” world. I came across some social shopping or Crowd ‘buying’ websites, where in, buyers cluster themselves together and bargain with the manufacturer / distributor / wholesaler / retailer. Certain websites go as far as going with the “crowd” of bargain hunters to a shop or warehouse and be able to buy items at good discounted rates. So this got me thinking, where else could we apply this concept? Everything… Here’s how it works:

Like products, we could also apply this in services (to Service providers like restaurants, Spa, Bars etc.). Like, if 20 people or more were to book at a restaurant there might be a more special offer the restaurant can offer (30% off …). For the Crowd, they’re still getting the same quality of service, yet they get it at a lower market price. For the Service providers, they get volume. Profit might be lower, but with the volume of people they could easily profit. Another benefit for the Service Providers are be able to have people during their non peak times.

The website will look like a semi-directory type, where a companies who allow this type of deals will be listed. Yet their will be a online community, like a forum or discussion boards for members to interact and discuss about their experiences going to a place (Review of places). Companies will be given ranking and feedback, and be able to respond to positive / negative comments.

One of the revenue streams here could be thru advertising on their website. This could be thru banner ads, skyscraper ads etc. Another possible revenue is that upon joining of a Service Provider, if the website was to send customers to their place, certain percentage of sales will be remitted to website owner.

Some unclear thoughts:
Would negotiations with Service Providers be made by the website owner? Or would it be better if it was one of the crowd who has more knowledge of the said service?

What do you guys think?

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