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The only way to reach these small businesses is with large sales forces. The process just can't scale. "Local" is an absolutely horrible business to be in and I
by stevenj 15y ago
The only way to reach these small businesses is with large sales forces. The process just can't scale. "Local" is an absolutely horrible business to be in and I doubt anyone will ever crack it (hasn't worked for the past 15 years...).
What about Craigslist? It seems to have scaled some local small business needs (e.g. jobs and housing).
I think local is tough because there just isn't a big market for many of the things small businesses are trying to sell.
But as we've seen, if you heavily discount them, that changes things.
- true_religion 15y agoJobs and housing are different because people actively search for them. People need shelter, and need income. They need food too, but they don't necessary need to go to a restaurant---much less a particular one of many in the same flavor variety. If you're trying to sell something people don't have a stake in taking up, you need a sales team because they won't search for you.
- sedachv 15y agoThat's a good explanation. Note how craigslist works for apartments and jobs postings, but not events (nothing works for events, the other favorite "local" startup idea). The quintessential small business owner we had was the plumber. People need plumbers and search for them, but how do you get them into your directory? I don't know how well craigslist works for plumbers, and I don't think we ever considered craigslist as competition.