Small Business Start-Up Idea - Website Reviews

There is such a wealth of information on the Internet that it can often be hard to find what you are looking for or to know whether the webpage that you eventually find is actually any good. A website which reviews other websites is useful for people who are navigating the Internet in search of information. You will find that once you reach a certain level of success then you will have corporate clients prepared to pay you for a professional review of their website. This will involve a formal report featuring recommendations about things which need to be changed.  

Skills needed: You will need to have a good understanding of the way in which search engine optimisation (SEO) and online marketing operates. A background in website design will be important for establishing your credentials as someone with enough experience to criticise the work of others.  You will need excellent communication skills and the ability to explain your recommendation to clients without using confusing technical jargon.  

Business environment and set-up cost:  The main barrier to having international clients will be the language differences. However, this is a service that is in demand all over the world and therefore you could get work from abroad. If you already own a good computer then this business can be set-up for very little cost. However, if you wish to offer very in-depth reviews complete with statistical analysis then you may have to purchase specialist software. Some money will need to be set aside for a marketing budget. The overall start-up cost will range from £1,500 to £5,000 (2,000 - 6,500 EUR, 3,000-10,000 AUD/USD).  

Marketing Techniques:  

• Make sure your website is easy to find by using search engine optimisation (SEO)
• Participate in the pay-per-click schemes of the popular search engines
• Generate reciprocal links with related websites
• Use viral marketing techniques such as ‘Tell a Friend’ buttons to get clients to inform their colleagues about your services
• Use OnlineOffice to set up web-site, blog and online shop to promote your business online

Complimentary business ideas: You could offer consultation relating to online marketing and other promotional activities.  

Notes: You professional review will be (if you are doing your job correctly!) critical in nature. Due to the subjectiveness of this type of work, the client may not necessarily agree with your verdict. It will be essential that you can back up what you are saying with examples. Also, remember not to give the client any information until you receive the full amount for the work you have completed.  

Online examples & resources:  

• Review Centre
• KillerSites
• Webcredible

For previous SME start-up ideas, look through the archive here  

7 Responses to “Small Business Start-Up Idea - Website Reviews”

1. Arthur Stoller
   http://www.websites-uk.com/general-sales-page.htm
   
   Said on August 8th, 2008 at 10:36 am

   To take this one step further, there is a free online internet marketng seminar every Monday at 7:00 pm and is free to partipciants.
   You can submit your site for immediate analysis to search engine expert Arthur Stoller of Websites UK
   Here is the link

2. Don
   http://www.anchorpointdesignsd.com
   
   Said on August 9th, 2008 at 1:41 am

   Thank you for the resource Arthur! I have been researching this topic for sometime now and any new info sure does help.

3. Animal experiences
   http://www.animal-experiences.co.uk
   
   Said on August 13th, 2008 at 4:48 pm

   You might also be able to get commisssion from web designers and copywriters if you refer the customers to them!

4. kabonfootprint
   http://kabonfootprint-kabon.com
   
   Said on August 17th, 2008 at 8:37 am

   This is an excellent idea. You have also posted few example website which provides nice reviews. indeed an honest review helps a searcher to take decisions.

   nice post.

5. Logo Design Expert
   http://www.logomotto.com
   
   Said on August 22nd, 2008 at 4:58 pm

   Excellent article. I just want to add up the following on the marketing techniques/strategy:

   - professionally designed website
   - unique logo and proper branding (theme, colors, nature of business, target market should be considered. Consistency and conveying the right message should be in the plan) Otherwise, it is useless to have too many visitors that most of them are confused or mislead.

6. Logo Design Expert
   http://www.logomotto.com
   
   Said on August 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm

   Excellent article.

   I just want to add up on the marketing strategy the 2 important things that visitors will see first before reading the content of the site.

   - logo design
   - proper branding
   - professionally designed website, that doesn’t load so slow.

7. San Francisco Lawyer
   http://sfolaw.com
   
   Said on August 29th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

   Starting a Website review business is really great for people that have the necessary skills. It can be very lucrative.

   As far as complimentry services I would include

   1. Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
   2. Search Engine marketing (SEM)
   3. Affiliate Campaign Management

   These are complimenry skill sets that can be very lucrative.

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