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NONE: Re: A money-making web site (was: Cost/Audience Comparisons)
Re: A money-making web site (was: Cost/Audience Comparisons)
Jack Jordan (jtjordan_at_nafta.net)
Tue, 23 Jul 1996 11:08:30 -0500
>Date: Mon, 22 Jul 1996 10:08:20 -0600
>From: cliff.kurtzman_at_tenagra.com (Cliff Kurtzman)
>Subject: Re: A money-making web site (was: Cost/Audience Comparisons)
>
>erik kraft <erik_at_ensuing.com> writes:
>
>>I have not been able to find a single web site that is making money. Sure
>>there are a lot of programmers, consultants, script writers, artists, web
>>designers, et al that are making money faster than they can stuff it in their
>>jeans. But I haven't been able to find a serious web site that even breaks
>>even with advertising or direct consumer charges.
>>><snip>
>>>>I seriously doubt that any, *any* professional site is making money. Almost
>>everyone seems to be trying to capture mindshare for some later event which
>>will let them make money, a lot of money.
>
>It is probably true that it is the exception rather than the rule for sites
>that base their revenues on direct sales, subscription, or web site
>advertising are making a profit, but it is hardly the case that there are
>not any good examples or success stories.
>
I will second Cliff's comments, and add the perspective of the cost of
alternative media, i.e., what does it cost to generate an inquiry from a
prospective client via other media?
For example, we developed and host 2 real estate sites,
http://www.AustinRealty.com and http://www.HillCountryProperty.com, that,
although relatively new to the'Net as yet (less than 3 months, still not in
some search/links sites, although submitted some time ago), are already
considered successful by our clients. Nobody believes anybody will buy a
house over the 'Net (certainly neither I nor my clients believe so), but
that is not the point. They are generating leads and inquiries.
Realtors spend lots of $$$ on advertising, but they don't really put a
picture of *your* house in the newspaper and the community "throw-aways" to
sell *your* house. They advertise *your* house to show *you* they're trying
to sell *your* house, but what they're really trying to do is get someone to
call looking to buy some house, ANY house. If someone wants to buy your
house, Great! If they don't, "Fine, we have plenty of other homes we can
show you."
One client has generated 2 strong leads in 2 months; he is "very
enthusiastic." Why? A single sale pays for development and hosting of his
site for a year. The other client has received 6 inquiries in the last 9
weeks; they are ecstatic. Why? Their featured listings are $1 million plus
Texas ranches with commissions of $50 - 100K!!!
Beyond the ROI, consider the accountability. Most realtors have NO idea what
newspaper ads generate in the way of leads. Most of them who do advertise
(some don't, relying instead on flyer, mailers, word of mouth, etc.) suspect
that if they stopped, their leads would gradually dwindle away and they
would ultimately go out of business, but they don't know. However, when they
get an Email inquiry, they KNOW where that can from...
Sorry for the long post, but generating several inquiries a month for
$million+ deals on an annual investment of $5K? "Nobody believes anybody
will buy a house over the 'Net (certainly neither I nor my clients believe so)!"
--
Jack T. Jordan , Webmaster/EVP mailto:jtjordan_at_nafta.net 512-472-8680
http://www.nafta.net NAFTAnet Inc. PointCom Top 5%! Magellan 4Star!
Electronic Commerce, International Trade, Advanced Telecommunications.
http://www.nafta.net/nnw3/ NAFTAnet Web Consulting Services
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