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Ask PG: Will you post an update to "Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund"?

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Re: Ask PG: Will you post an update to "Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund"?

#71
post #50

I haven't read the 2008 list but just went there based on some of the comments here. This #29 stood out: "What's the best way to make a web site if you're a real estate agent, or a restaurant, or a lawyer? There still don't seem to be canonical answers. " There is a huge opportunity here not for a site builder so much as a way for those types of businesses (and other businesses) to keep their site current and fresh o…

A restaurant get's more hits on their Yelp page than their actual website. When shit get's super fragmented it helps everyone involved to have an aggregator. It's why the App Store works so well.

Re: Ask PG: Will you post an update to "Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund"?

#72
post #50

I haven't read the 2008 list but just went there based on some of the comments here. This #29 stood out: "What's the best way to make a web site if you're a real estate agent, or a restaurant, or a lawyer? There still don't seem to be canonical answers. " There is a huge opportunity here not for a site builder so much as a way for those types of businesses (and other businesses) to keep their site current and fresh o…

The thing with these types of people (realtors, restaurant mangers, etc.) is that you can make something extremely easy to use but there will always be effort in producing new content; effort they are not willing to expend. Time and time again I've worked with people who couldn't be bothered to enter the data for their new listing or upload photos. They always feel like it is busy work and better farmed out to an ass…

"Maybe the problem is that most of these people are technically inept "

First let me say that your comments are dead on from my experience (and I'm even talking outside and before the internet dealing with small business in general as well as the people you mention.)

I don't think it's inept I think small business people are "shiny ball" driven and they react to things (deadlines, fines, customers, tax filings, supplies running out) they are used to going at their own pace and as a result have a hard time having the discipline to do things like this on any type of regular basis.

Perhaps the way to handle this is more or less some kind of mechanical turk.

If you tell the realtor "guy from India will be calling every 10am Tuesday" that creates the shiny ball that forces him (like taxes that are due) to get his house in order. Just a thought. I know when I was in a different business we did something similar and had decent results. We also did everything we could to make it easy for someone.

Obv. your time is worth more. But perhaps there is someone who could do the "teeth pulling" at a lower rate.

After all with video chat and all of that it's not a non-starter.

Re: Ask PG: Will you post an update to "Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund"?

#73
post #69
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Well when I type on a on a 10 inch tab - two thoughts cross my head A) This is not working B) This could work given a bit more size and refinement. A bit more size and refinement, a nice keyboard, and a stand gets you a 11-12" laptop.

>gets you a 11-12" laptop. No it doesn't. No hinge & typing space is also display space under some conditions e.g. browsing.

I'd classify those under "refinements" ;)

Re: Ask PG: Will you post an update to "Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund"?

#74
post #50

I haven't read the 2008 list but just went there based on some of the comments here. This #29 stood out: "What's the best way to make a web site if you're a real estate agent, or a restaurant, or a lawyer? There still don't seem to be canonical answers. " There is a huge opportunity here not for a site builder so much as a way for those types of businesses (and other businesses) to keep their site current and fresh o…

I think the canonical answer to this for restaurants is Facebook page + Google Maps listing + Yelp listing.

Re: Ask PG: Will you post an update to "Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund"?

#75
post #73
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>gets you a 11-12" laptop. No it doesn't. No hinge & typing space is also display space under some conditions e.g. browsing.

I'd classify those under "refinements" ;)

Its a different form factor...especially the no hinge part.

Re: Ask PG: Will you post an update to "Startup Ideas We'd Like to Fund"?

#76
post #50

I haven't read the 2008 list but just went there based on some of the comments here. This #29 stood out: "What's the best way to make a web site if you're a real estate agent, or a restaurant, or a lawyer? There still don't seem to be canonical answers. " There is a huge opportunity here not for a site builder so much as a way for those types of businesses (and other businesses) to keep their site current and fresh o…

The thing with these types of people (realtors, restaurant mangers, etc.) is that you can make something extremely easy to use but there will always be effort in producing new content; effort they are not willing to expend. Time and time again I've worked with people who couldn't be bothered to enter the data for their new listing or upload photos. They always feel like it is busy work and better farmed out to an ass…

To tackle just this problem, we created this: http://wigwamm.co.uk - would appreciate feedback.
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