commercial directory

Do you think that the existing commercial directory is good and provide all the main information? Is there a need to develop a new concept for this service? What do you think the main important things that we shall take in concern when we start a project like that? What a new feature that you are looking to have in such a service? Is there any good example of this service?

asked Sep 14 '10 at 02:00

ghada alsubih
51●5

Hi Ghada,

Thanks for asking a question. You need a little more detail for folks to help.

Can you please expand on what you mean by commercial directory? Are you listing businesses or products? Are you planning to make it available online or printed? Which locations are you targeting? Which industries are you looking to target?

Answering these questions will help get you better quality answers.

Best, Sami

(Sep 14 '10 at 08:20) Sami Shalabi ♦♦

4 Answers:

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Salam Ghada,

This idea were consumed many times from quick-cashers people who wants to make quick cash by bringing advertisers to place their Ads in directory without good content. This trend was up in Jordan and Egypt markets but as you mentioned no good content at all.

If you want to differentiate your online business directory with valuable content, I advice you with the followings:

Target the Niche. You mentioned a very general coverage for your directory which adds no meaning to whom you are targeting. For example, if you are targeting young moms then build your business directory around them, list meaningful information and businesses that would solve young moms daily suffering like (nursery, schools, babies stuff, kids theaters...etc)
Give Power to the user. Empower your users both the businesses and customers to contribute to your directory, let them to share what they have of offers, comments, complains, reviews, interaction...etc.
Directory for Dummies. Yes, make it very simple and clear directory for both parties businesses & customers, consider the User Interface & User Experience elements carefully, also I recommend to hire a good person with strong understanding of these topics.
Check Others what they are doing with their online business directory but DON'T CopyCat Them, propose your directory differently because you have different demographic input.
Are you solving someone problem? If not, you are doomed. Understand the market you are in and what problem you are trying to solve by offering this directory.

Good luck with your start-up!

Regards, Qais

answered Sep 15 '10 at 04:28

Qais
91●2

Thanks Sami for your response

what I mean by commercial directory is online business directory to list all business and services and products in Jordan as a start, it will be a directory to find anything you looking for in business such as " Restaurant, Doctors, Universities, Schools ... etc”, as a start we will target Amman city and some fields on it till we can collect a good content.

What I am looking for is building a complete application having the search, video advertisement, profile for advertiser ... and other features that I’m still looking for.

In this project I will take in concern two things, the first is building a powerful application and having large content because there is a lot of such application but there is no good content on it.

What I’m talking about is not an ordinary directory to list business and services no we will provide a complete solution for the services owner and the researcher.

This is the general idea of what I am asking for. I am really looking for listing to your views and idea in this field.

answered Sep 14 '10 at 10:49

ghada alsubih
51●5

Thanks a lot Qais for your response.

1."Target the Niche”: we will build this directory step by step, what I mean is that we will target business one by one. It will be a long and slow project. I have some ideas to take every one attention based on what he is looking for.

That what I am thinking about it, give the user and the advertiser the power to feel that he has the choice so they feel that their opinion and exist in the website is making a difference. Any idea in this field to make this point stronger?
Sure, as you said this point it is really the most important thing, when things are simple and clear the idea reaches faster.
No, I didn't solve someone problem. but it just an idea appear in my mind because we have very poor content in Arab area technically and as real content , so if we have the ability to make a difference in people life let us try.

Again Thanks a lot Qais, and if you have any idea that may be helpful in this field I really want to hear it.

answered Sep 15 '10 at 05:13

ghada alsubih
51●5

Targeting the niche means to make your product made for specific people. What I can see no need to build and add new businesses in your directory, just focus on niche that ignored by others.
Yes, I mean here you should not play the role of the content dictator that ruling and controlling everything in your directory. Just play the moderator role to let the users contribute their content according to your content policy. For example: customer wants to review one of the listed businesses offer him/her tools and guidelines how to do it.
Even big companies fail in this point. You need to have solution for certain problem. If it's the case to make directory listing businesses only then you add nothing to the market and offer nothing to the customer. To make these things clear I advice you read this Arabic PDF booklet link text in this booklet you will learn how the entrepreneur made their start-ups by offering solutions to solve certain problems. Also read this book "The Art of the Start" for Guy Kawasaki.

If you need anything else, let me know.

Thanks, Qais

answered Sep 15 '10 at 06:27

Qais
91●2

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question asked: Sep 14 '10 at 02:00

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last updated: Sep 15 '10 at 06:27

commercial directory

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