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I would assume that Groupon could build something like that tomorrow, if they really wanted to. However, the overhead isn't necessarily in the process of creati
by suresk 14y ago
I would assume that Groupon could build something like that tomorrow, if they really wanted to. However, the overhead isn't necessarily in the process of creating a deal - it is in finding local merchants and convincing them to give you a big cut of already-reduced prices on things in return for more customers.
Sales and customer acquisition are usually a lot harder (and more expensive) than throwing up a website and hoping customers find it.
- leak 14y agoThey don't necessarily have to have a sales team to convince merchants to put up deals. Maybe advertising can do that. Maybe they can outsource the sales people. Since all they're doing is convincing merchants it's a great idea, it doesn't matter where the call comes from as long as it's representing Groupon. Also, they can do things like yelp does with stickers at merchants places. A lot of places have the "Find us on Yelp" stickers and I doubt Yelp went out to find & convince them to do that. I haven't spent too much time thinking how I could make Groupon better but I don't think it's really that far out there to find a better/cheaper way of acquiring customers.
- gtd 14y agoI would assume that Groupon has thought of most of these ideas, probably years ago, but let's not underestimate the power of the hype cycle. If you are literally the hottest startup in Silicon Valley as they were a couple years ago, the last thing you do is anything that could jeopardize growth. Now that they are public it's a very difficult retreat back to a leaner, more innovative mindset.