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So, I have some more thoughts on how to improve your classifieds.
(FYI, before I start, I should state that I have, (finally), gotten off my butt and sent you some money for running this site. And don't bother to thank me, as I should thank you for giving us an alternative to that other audiophile website's forum.)
In fact I will say it: Thank You!!! :-)
Now, on to the suggestions:
This might be somewhat controversial, but you need to charge for the ads. I say this not because you need to become a greedy SOB like the operators of that other audiophile website. (Not that I'm naming names mind you!) I suggest that you make the ads cost $2 per ad, but if you buy $10 worth, you get 10 ads, so they're only a buck each. This is cheap enough that no one will care, and most everyone will probably gladly pay it. (And perhaps it will encourage some of the scam artists to stay away.)
This income will allow you to do two things:
A) Upgrade your software so you can setup your classified ads so we can do searches and watch items, similar to Ebay, (and yes, like that other "website that must not be named!". (Personally, I could care less about the Auctions, let Ebay and "you know who" run all the auctions they want. I never use them, and most people I know don't.)
B) And, this is probably the most important use for your newly found funds: Advertising! You should advertise Audio Asylum's classifieds on other websites, particularly stereo review sites. And if you can afford it, advertise in the print magazines. (Perhaps you could even work a deal with TAS/HiFi+, much as Stereophile has worked a deal with, well you know who!) Once more people find out about your classifieds, the more people will use them, both for buying and selling.
Those are my thoughts so far.
I'm sure you've gotten a bunch so far.
I encourage you to "strike while the iron is hot", as they say!
Follow Ups:
How does the watch items work? Do you have multiple saved search terms or what?
Thanks for the suggestions.
-Rod
Ebay has an actual button you press that says "Watch Item", at which point it goes into your queue called "Items I'm Watching", which is found in "My Ebay".
Audiogon's system is not nearly as clearly marked (FYI: it took me a year or so to even find out about this!), but if you bring up an item's ad to look at it, and if you look up near the top of the page, you'll see a bar across the top that has a bunch of tabs, the last one of which is the word "help". Underneath that word "help", you'll notice an asterisk ( * ), which is underlined. If you press that asterisk, it will take you to a section of your personal audiogon page (assuming you're signed in) that says "My Bookmarks", and this is where you add this bookmark. From then on, you can go to your page, and in the bottom righthand corner, you'll see a section of tabs that say "Tools", under that heading is a tab that says "My bookmarks". Press that tab, and all the items you're watching pop up. Simple, yet remarkably well hidden.
Glad to help Rod!
:-)
...although AA has already advertise in Audio Express (DIY print mag). Haven't seen AX in while, so I can't say if they still do...
I use the classifieds, and am amazed by how little use they seem to get. Charge a couple of bucks for their use, and use the revenue to maintain/improve the site however you see fit. I sure don't care about losing a couple of bucks on a significant sale, particularly when it goes for a good cause.
If you don't want to demand payment, make it optional. Or make it optional when someone removes their ad (might be due to a sale) or the auto-bug relist option appears.
Yes, I think the opportunity is ripe to become a serious alternative to Audiogon, and the path is to improve the UI and options; make it as good as you can, and then keep improving it until it exceeds what Audiogon offers. Charge for the service, but keep the prices reasonable. Invest the revenue in improving the classified part of the site. Photos are an absolute necessity. Make it easy!
A nominal annual membership fee of say $20-25, should simplify the whole thing for non-dealers. Dealers something like $200/6 months, though I would rather NOT see them here
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