Advice on business model

[Greig Whitton]

I also did a rework of the look and feel of the site. Let me know what you guys think.

I visited your website and your value proposition is not immediately obvious. If I wasn't already aware of your offering based on this thread, I would have to do a lot of navigation and discovery. I recommend presenting your value proposition and offering right at the top in plain English.

 

[WebNexus]

I visited your website and your value proposition is not immediately obvious. If I wasn't already aware of your offering based on this thread, I would have to do a lot of navigation and discovery. I recommend presenting your value proposition and offering right at the top in plain English.

A short sentance like."we offer a beautiful website for your wedding were you can manage RSVPs, share info with your guests and keep a photo album online all in one place"

I dont want to make it to long.

I hope the look and content of the site is enough to keep brides reading so the can understand the full offering.

 

[creeper]

Ok so I had another look at the pricing model and based off of our discussions I have decided to switch to a once off pricing model.

I also did a rework of the look and feel of the site. Let me know what you guys think. Saweddingwebsites.co.zasaweddingwebsites.co.za

This might sound a bit.....devious....but I would go for a subscription based that debits the user's credit card monthly. Why? Because people don't pay and try to cut corners at the non-essential wedding items. And, sometimes they forget that they subscribed.

 

[Greig Whitton]

This might sound a bit.....devious....but I would go for a subscription based that debits the user's credit card monthly. Why? Because people don't pay and try to cut corners at the non-essential wedding items. And, sometimes they forget that they subscribed.

Why on earth would you want your customer to forget about your offering? Creating incredible value that delights people and drives word of mouth will trump underhanded exploitation every day of the week.

 

[MorryJ]

This might come across as tacky but I think if executed properly could add another level of monetizing for you. You could list the wedding "Sponsors" on each couple's website. This could be the caterers, venue, BnB/lodges, where the bride got her dress made, entertainment, photography etc and all these link to the respective websites.

The subtlety and design factor would be key here, but it could afford you to offer the couple the website at a way reduced fee or even free, and then earn money from advertising the sponsors. Its quite a leap from your current business model but it could pay off.

 

[Greig Whitton]

This might come across as tacky but I think if executed properly could add another level of monetizing for you. You could list the wedding "Sponsors" on each couple's website. This could be the caterers, venue, BnB/lodges, where the bride got her dress made, entertainment, photography etc and all these link to the respective websites.

The subtlety and design factor would be key here, but it could afford you to offer the couple the website at a way reduced fee or even free, and then earn money from advertising the sponsors. Its quite a leap from your current business model but it could pay off.

This option crossed my mind as well, but I think that it introduces more hassles than it's worth. Instead of selling a website to a single client (the bride and groom) you're now selling advertising to multiple clients (the various wedding suppliers). That's a lot more work for what is unlikely to be a lot more money. What happens if some suppliers take up the option but others don't? Will the bride and groom be expected to make up the difference? The potential for misunderstandings, conflict, and stress is high.

 

[WebNexus]

I agree with Greig regarding using the client to handle the advertising. With a wedding as hectic as it is I told want the bride to manage selling advertising and in the end have it come back to bite me in the butt.

That being said, there is no reason I cant approach the various suppliers and point out to them that they can have their work showcase on an actual brides wedding website.

This creates two potential problems thou. One, I need the brides permission to do so and secondly I need to get the contact details, probably from the bride, of the suppliers at her wedding.

This come to think about it might be a excellent idea thou. As part of the package she can have her website updated for free with the photos of the actual wedding, etc, in exchange for the info I need in the previous paragraph.

What do you guys think?

 

[Greig Whitton]

I think that you should begin with a simple, sensible business model first before diversifying and introducing more potential complications. Whether you go the advertising route or not, your core offering will still be wedding websites for newlyweds. So focus on your core offering and try to make that commercially viable before pivoting and using your core offering as a bridge to alternative revenue streams.