Any feedback on a website idea please ?

[yumpy]

No idea where to post this ! but hope its OK here.

Just trying to get some comments on an idea we’ve had for adding a free buy and sell section to our own site.

Over the years, we've bought and sold through forums, but it can get a bit frustrating sorting through everyone’s comments and questions. Plus its easy to miss something good if you don't visit other forums regularly.

So we thought cyclists might like something that's custom-made, but we’d like a bit of feedback. Basically we’re thinking:

* No login to see adverts
* Not limited to a particular forum
* Covering MTB, Road, Touring etc – the whole lot.
* No chat / posts to clutter up the sale
* Has a proper search
* Is divided into categories ie. Brakes, Wheels, Drivetrain etc.
* Has direct contact with advertisers, not question and answer posts
* Is free and straightforward ( no bids/auctions )

( We've set up a whole test area, but not public yet as it might get redesigned a bit )

It will run within wheelhub.co.uk; our cyclists price-comparison site. We think a Used buy and sell area might be a useful addition for people who are buying new parts or bikes, and want to get some money for anything that's only lightly used / bought in error and so on.

Do you reckon it would be something that's got a future ?
... or any other comments ?

Thanks for any help,

 

[ASC1951]

No idea where to post this ! but hope its OK here.

I'm not sure it is. Maybe I have got hold of the wrong end of the stick, but Shaun puts a huge amount of his own time and energy into C+ to give us a free site, and here you are asking us all to help you set up a rival website.

I think you should buzz off back to WheelHub, that's what I think.

 

[yumpy]

Its no way intended to be a rival site - its not a forum and never will be, so it wouldn't pinch visitors.
Been around since 2008 and the adverts would be just another section in the site for anyone who wanted to use it.

It would just be a way of cyclists being able to post ads that are seen by folks who would normally be on other forums and vice-versa, if you get my drift. Just making the process of finding used parts a bit easier.

Obviously some people only visit and use one forum and they would never use it.
Perhaps we could do some sort of cross-forum search.

It was suggested to us a while ago by someone who just said "you should allow adverts on your site, so I could sell my garage full" (it was someone buying new parts). So we thought we'd ask the question.

PS
If and when we set it up, we won't be coming here trying to get visitors, but this did seem a sensible place to ask the question.

 

[soulful dog]

The plus point to buying/selling via forums that you visit regularly is that there is a bit more trust involved. You wouldn't have that, so not sure what the attraction would be for people to use it?

 

[yumpy]

Thats a good point - been raised a fair bit. I guess it might be used by people who dont have a favourte forum they visit. Wondering if some sort of cross-forum search thing would be better.

 

[ColinJ]

Shaun puts a huge amount of his own time and energy into C+ to give us a free site ...

Or even into CC (CycleChat) as an alternative to BikeRadar which is where we former members of the C+ forum were dumped when BR took over!

 

[ColinJ]

I think you might be an offering an answer in search of a problem!

I have bought, sold and exchanged bike bits here on CycleChat and have never found the need to go elsewhere. People can always go to eBay or Gumtree if they want a wider audience.

 

[Shaun]

Or even into CC (CycleChat) as an alternative to BikeRadar which is where we former members of the C+ forum were dumped when BR took over!

We knew what he meant ...

To the OP - have you thought about asking visitors on your own site - you can easily setup an online poll to canvas opinion.

 

[yumpy]

We mailed the registered users - can almost divide them into those that would use their favourite forum and another group who don't really have one. almost 50/50

Now if we could figure out a way to link people to adverts on multiple forums...
I think I feel a coding headache coming on

 

[Milemuncher]

I think the point made about trust is a good one. In the past I have bought and sold items on Ebay and on member forums. I am new around here and am just finding my feet. I am happy to use Ebay for general items as trust is built into the rules and procedures. But if the item is say a cycling related one I'd prefer to give 'first dibs' to members of a group like this one. In such a case trust comes from a fellow feeling with the other members built up over many visits and exchanges on all sorts of topic and good will as members try to help each other out. I think a site of the sort you are proposing would fall between the two stools. I for one would much prefer to come to a forum like this than go to a site like the one you suggest where its all about buying and selling to and from 'strangers'. I hope this helps.

 

[jay clock]

Why not just use the classifieds on here? The point about trust is well made. I have bought and sold here with no problems. I have never heard of wheelhub, so what are the chances of it becoming the Ebay/Gumtree of the 2nd hand cycle bits world?

 

[yumpy]

My original post is a bit confusing.

Wheelhub isn't new and its not going to be a classifieds site. Its price comparison and we're looking at adding an extra section for users who might have stuff to sell, when they are looking for new parts.

No doubt many people have favourite forums and will just use them - we're looking at something a bit wider, if some people don't want to use a forum, or don't visit forums much.

Perhaps we could create some sort of forum index, so that people could see at a glance what's on sale on different forums. (Seeing as Google finds something today and then seems to have moved it in the morning )

 

[Shaun]

Perhaps we could create some sort of forum index, so that people could see at a glance what's on sale on different forums. (Seeing as Google finds something today and then seems to have moved it in the morning )

Just use an iframe to load the classifieds forum ...

 

[yumpy]

Having a think now. Could probably do something with an iframe for each forum, so people can see latest ads. easily; combined with any ads. that are directly placed on our site. Might somehow be able to do what search engines do and index the headings - then we could categorise the bits for sale and put links through to the forums. Then people could do one search and uncover all the latest drivetrain parts for sale. Starting to sound like a bigger project though ...

 

[Milemuncher]

If this was Dragon's Den, this is the point where I'd be saying, "I'm Out!". But best of luck with it.