::Conversation with a mainstream site owner:: Advice needed.

[xenigo]

Originally Posted by PornoDoggy

If the sales are done online then what you say is true.

If somebody else is closing the deal, then it's not.

I still say there just isn't enough information here to make an informed judgement.

I didn't think there would be so much confusion surrounding this request for advice. Basically what I'm going to be doing is creating the Amazon.com of truck parts. That means the customer can buy tires, shocks, superchargers, and a lift kit, nerf bars, online... pay for it... and we ship it to him.

I'm going to be creating the site from scratch, and starting with zero traffic. This includes building the product database, and entering all the product codes and product descriptions. Also, maintaining the product database - adding new product, deleting old product, and editing product.

I'm going to be managing the entire traffic campaign (Google, Overture, Froogle, and all the product indexes on the net that will list us...)

I'm going to be writing reviews, articles, and product installation tutorials (photo, and video) for some of the hot products. I'm also going to be doing product reviews on video.

I'm going to maintaining a blog, and exchanging blog traffic. I'm going to be working the forums to generate interest in the site and articles.

Basically I'm going to be doing everything it takes to move product.

Honestly I think he's getting a great deal for giving me only 40%... I don't know why you guys think otherwise. I hadn't said anything about "only generating traffic to the brick and mortar location".

[Grump]

Originally Posted by xenigo

I didn't think there would be so much confusion surrounding this request for advice.

Worthwhile advise comes from informed advisors, thats why all the questions. The profit participation sounds reasonable to me, provided you know what his markup and true costs are. Have you figured out the cost of order fulfillment and who bears that? If the margins are too tight on this type of product line then the 40% might not be worth it for one or even both of you.

[PornoDoggy]

Originally Posted by xenigo

Honestly I think he's getting a great deal for giving me only 40%... I don't know why you guys think otherwise. I hadn't said anything about "only generating traffic to the brick and mortar location".

Were you asking for alternate opinions, or an endorsement of yours?

You didn't say anything that indicated your involvement was more than generating traffic to the brick and mortar location, either.

As far as the deal goes - I'd take it if I were in your shoes, and turn it down if I was in his.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by xenigo

Honestly I think he's getting a great deal for giving me only 40%... I don't know why you guys think otherwise. I hadn't said anything about "only generating traffic to the brick and mortar location".

I made the same mistake in reading your earlier post as we discussed on ICQ. I wish you luck...let us know how it works out for you. As I told you earlier managing adwords campaigns is a full time job and then some.

Dont think just because you have some keywords that the traffic will flow to your site. I think you will discover the entire process is an art. Which could be expensive in the begining.

[Bishop]

Your best traffic source to start is simple and its not a search engine. Buy ad space on hobby message boards. If you own a Z71 truck and your serious about your truck then your going to seek out a Z71 owners forum. Buy ad space that is targeted to the owners of those trucks. I assume your going to cater to a heck of alot of different makes and models.. the first thing I would do is find the center of the internet universe for each of the models you seriously support. That is targeted advertising.

Leave the engines for later.. the best thing you can do is become a standard place for people to buy upgrades. Support the forums that support your potential customers. It builds a trust factor and name recognition.

Give away a product to annouce your new sponsored relationship with the forum. Make it a very desirable product. When the winner has been selected, ship the product quickly and do everything you can to build a relationship with that customer. If they speak kindly of you then others will do business with you. Get into their community and show your support to pick up customers for life.

[xenigo]

Originally Posted by Bishop

Your best traffic source to start is simple and its not a search engine. Buy ad space on hobby message boards. If you own a Z71 truck and your serious about your truck then your going to seek out a Z71 owners forum. Buy ad space that is targeted to the owners of those trucks. I assume your going to cater to a heck of alot of different makes and models.. the first thing I would do is find the center of the internet universe for each of the models you seriously support. That is targeted advertising.

Leave the engines for later.. the best thing you can do is become a standard place for people to buy upgrades. Support the forums that support your potential customers. It builds a trust factor and name recognition.

Give away a product to annouce your new sponsored relationship with the forum. Make it a very desirable product. When the winner has been selected, ship the product quickly and do everything you can to build a relationship with that customer. If they speak kindly of you then others will do business with you. Get into their community and show your support to pick up customers for life.

Some very good suggestions. Thanks Bishop