Ryanair model for web development?

[easycheapweb]

Driving along one day recently thinking about the RECESSION word, I wondered whether there would be a market for really cheap web development. Did some research and found there are very cheap and sometimes free web development options. However, all of them depended on the user having some understanding of html tags and the like.

I've met many people for whom the sight of something 'complex' like tags sends them running. So I wondered about a very simple forms based means of creating a site. Limited options of course, but I was thinking of small businesses who need a simple brochure site, one picture per page, plus a map showing where they are located.

Easy and cheap, I thought. Pitched to businesses with no website and very limited computer skills. So now I'm testing it and would like volunteers to test it. In return they get a free website for 2 years.

Is there a market for this? Comments appreciated.

[OldWelshGuy]

This facility exists all over the web in many places, template based, many with css control over colours fonts etc (point and click to the user though).

[easycheapweb]

Quite correct. However, there are many who find these even too difficult. Think about local plumbers, hairdressers etc. I'm working on forms only, just type in words. Plus I plan to respond to users input with suggestions for improvement.

[OldWelshGuy]

Sorry, I wasn't being critical of your proposal, but this already exists is all that I am saying. your main text here, etc in form format already exists on a server level. which is just point and click, select a layout, add a logo etc.

I agree thoguh that marketed well it is a good idea, the thing is that it has to be search engine friendly as well as browser friendly, so as to make it worthwhile them using it. Also depends on the setup and monthly costs to make it viable.

I have considered it a few times, but always decided it might be a PITA to service. We have a similar thing on one of your large sites where members have a subdomain, and build a micro site.

[NikkiPilkington]

But as OWG says, it could be a PITA to service - I often find that the PITA customers are the ones paying the least

You'd also have to consider the marketing costs vs the income it would bring - you'd be competing with the likes of City Local, and local type directories, who target the hairdressers, plumbers etc and charge about a tenner a month.

It could be a good 'entry sell' whereby once you have shown the plumber what he/she can achieve, you could upsell to a better site / more services etc.

[easycheapweb]

Indeed, your points are all valid Nikki. As for PITA, that's a risk, but I doubt my plumbers and hairdressers are concerned about making frequent changes. Directory charges of a tenner a month will look high compared to my £60 per annum.

[OldWelshGuy]

Don't underestimate how much grief you will get from clients paying pennies. it is a FACT in business, that those that pay the least expect the most, it is their nature and has been proven time and time again.

We had a system like this that offered FREE space to people, so they were not paying a penny. We only offered email support with a 24 hour turnaround (as it was free). I had people track me down via the web (as there were links on the site to our main business which needed to be there by law), and telephone me anyhow DEMANDING i help them there and then!

We scrapped it within months of it going live. I was using an out of the box system that was so simple to use my 9 yr old could use it.

It isn't the case of frequent changes, it is a case of some people wanting to make changes and breaking it, then getting in touch.

I wish you luck with this though, I hope you make a good go of it

[easycheapweb]

Interesting points. How to offer something cheap enough to be attractive yet ensure it's not PITA. Michael O'Leary does this very well in Ryanair. He's downright rude to customers, tells that if they want high level service pay high level fares. Also Ryanair manage not to have any contact numbers on their website except premium ones. Hmmm..

[OldWelshGuy]

Originally Posted by easycheapweb

Interesting points. How to offer something cheap enough to be attractive yet ensure it's not PITA. Michael O'Leary does this very well in Ryanair. He's downright rude to customers, tells that if they want high level service pay high level fares. Also Ryanair manage not to have any contact numbers on their website except premium ones. Hmmm..

The first was the line I took, I told them that if they were not happy they could have a full refund They immediately said "how can I have a refund on a free service?" My reply was EXACTLY.

As for contact numbers. the law states you must have certain information on a website, and they can track you down from that info (what happened to us).

If you go down the premium rate numbers, then set it at £1.50 a minute or the likes, to make sure you get a decent return.

I truly believe there is a place for low cost stuff like this, but as I said, companies liek 123 reg are already doing this sort of thing, so it could well be an uphill struggle.

Are you teleselling it, or are you looking for reactive selling?

[easycheapweb]

Wondering if I might find young unemployed people to sell it direct. Pay them £30 for each one. Then incentivise customers to pass on referrals. Add features to their site if they refer people? Maybe, not sure. Currently testing google adwords for response.

[OldWelshGuy]

My advice would be to target small trade groups/communities, and the unemployed aspect is good, but they need to be trained, so the 'pitch' is crucial, as is the method of operation. I went down this route many years back using the new deal option which allowed unemployed to work for a month without risking benefits. Worked a treat and I trained some people to become pro sales people.

[Mat]

I offer the Plesk sitebuilder through my site - Durham Productions - Sitebuilder - Having tested a lot of the systems about, this one is certainly one of the simplest and (in my opinion) produces the best results. It's very simple, and difficult to screw up, even if very technophobic.

Have you thought about reselling a system like this instead?

[easycheapweb]

Mat,

I'm familiar with plesk and other similar offerings. Nothing wrong with them, suitable for people who are reasonably computer literate and not intimidated by unfamiliar interfaces. However, we've all met people for whom booking a flight online is a daunting task. That's who I'm aiming at. Simpler than other offerings, less flexible of course, but pitched at those whose business needs are simple also.

[NikkiPilkington]

is to JFDI - bite the bullet and see how it goes. Good luck!!

[Emma]

Welcome aboard!