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Bit.ly offers this functionality, for free. I think bit.ly are the only ones that have a chance of making real money. Their model is: 1. Build a very good URL
by nir 17y ago
Bit.ly offers this functionality, for free.
I think bit.ly are the only ones that have a chance of making real money. Their model is:
1. Build a very good URL shortening service
2. Have a close relationship with Twitter, get them to choose you as their URL shortener
3. Hope Twitter will get bought and then buy you, like they bought Summize for search.
- briansmith 17y agoIIRC, the same investors that own Twitter also own bit.ly.
- cookiecaper 17y agoModels that are based on "hope I get bought out" are not viable imo. All business plans are obviously dependent on certain favorable conditions (like finding customers), but it's a lot easier to find some customers than it is to convince one of the very few potential acquirers to first acquire a business that provides your functions and then second to acquire you instead of a competitor.
- nir 17y agoAbsolutely. I was being at least partly sarcastic here ;) The funny thing about bit.ly is that they take this model to the next level - they are actually building to be bought by a specific company which has yet to make any income itself. On the other hand, bit.ly's investors have a lot of pull in Twitter, so it's a unique situation. I don't know enough about VC investments to tell, but the situation where investors in X create Y in order for it to be bought by X - obviously with some profit - is pretty interesting.