Hello,

I just joined and think that this site is fabulous!

I just started a matchmaking business in which I'm quite excited about. One of the reasons why I started this business is because singles in my city complain that they just aren't meeting interesting and exciting people.

I have completed the business plan,incorporation,ordered the business cards,made up my forms.
I will start blogging soon for a well known magazine.

Right now I'm at the beginning point of trying to figure out to get people to come visit my site.(Marketing)

Take a look at my site www.hotlantamatchmakers.com
and tell me what you think.

Thanks In Advanced,
Coy

It's great that you've found something you want to do, and
that you've pursued all the right avenues for start up.
Is the website finished? I had a quick look and my only
concern is that the page is very long. There is a lot of
information on the first page. Look at some other matchmaking
websites. Usually they have a few pictures and a little search
box that can get you started straight away.
Maybe leave the rest of the information for another page on
your site that people can navigate to, such as successful
match-up stories, and even the commitment to privacy. If you
give people a little "free" search they can get a
feel for your site and then sign up to it.
Other things to include down the track might be organised
speed dating nights, other competitions etc.

Thanks for the Feedback!

Your on point. I'm trying to figure out what to do with all of the space at the bottom!

At first I attempted to enlarge some of my images to take up more space but in the end the site didn't look attractive.

Another possibility I have is to list some of my partners in this space: like restaraunts, hotels,and spas.

Everyday different ideas pop up that may not be on my business plan but in my head and so I'm open to trying different things and seeing what works.

Congratulations on taking the step in business ownership. You have a great start so far. Some things need to be tweeked but I think if you can find a niche (specific income group,demographic,etc) you can target and make a USP (unique selling proposition) you can be successfull. There are thousands of matchmaking sites so you have to find something to seperate you from the pack a little (nothing these days is totally unique, which is why you just take an idea and hit a specific mark with it)

If you need more resources feel free to visit us at www.buildabusinessworkshop.com

>Hello,
>
>I just joined and think that this site is fabulous!
>
>I just started a matchmaking business in which I'm quite
>excited about. One of the reasons why I started this business
>is because singles in my city complain that they just aren't
>meeting interesting and exciting people.
>
>I have completed the business plan,incorporation,ordered the
>business cards,made up my forms.
>I will start blogging soon for a well known magazine.
>
>Right now I'm at the beginning point of trying to figure out
>to get people to come visit my site.(Marketing)
>
>Take a look at my site www.hotlantamatchmakers.com
>and tell me what you think.
>
>Thanks In Advanced,
>Coy

You are off to a great start with your web site, however as was already mentioned, you have to break up that home page. Scrolling is a huge issue with web site visitors so you need to split up your information into additional pages.

Also, try to get someone to help you with the spelling and grammar. There are lots of grammatical errors that can become a real irritation to the reader.

And while the overall look of the site is pleasing, the photo of the eyeball is kind of creepy. I would take that out.

Also, $125 per year is very low for a matchmaking service. Underpricing can go either of two ways. You might attract more clients because it is more affordable or you might lose the type of clientelle you are after because they might percieve it be indicative of cheap service.

Hope some of this helps and good luck with your new business!

Thanks Sylvia,
You just made me look back at my business plan and my price is not in agreement with my marketing or the type of service and clients that I'm trying to reach. ( No need to watch the Big Idea tonight just logon to IDEA CAFE).

This the prime reason why IDEA CAFE is such a great site.

Way to go! Looks fab. I notices a few things:

1. Your site has a bit too much information to be all on one page without some sort of floating menu (check out www.weddingsingermn.com for example of a floating menu)

2. Love that you have a picture of people on the top. That is awesome.

3. You should have the option to your browsers to turn off the music at the top if they so desire. It can be obnoxious to some folk.

I highly recommend www.DylanDesignLab.com if you are going to clean up the site. They are wonderful at making a design sheek and user friendly.

It sounds like you are off to a good start. But do you have a Marketing Plan. How do you plan to promote your business etc?


Joanna Swank
Marketable Concepts
www.jswank.com
info@jswank.com
Joanna Swank

Thanks for responding,

My marketing plan includes utilizing magazines,newspapers,radio,internet search engines,some night club spots, hotels & spas,communities...etc



So far I have been reaching out to restaraunts,theatre, hotels,fitness facilities,etc.. with sponsorship opprotunities.
Some of the businesses have sponsored tickets and dinner reservations.

I just started blogging to a local magazine that reaches some of the clients that I'm targeting. It will be interesting to see what kind of feeback I will generate.

I also have started writing some articles for a relationship site that publishes my articles.


I have recieved alot of inqueries and signups from individuals.

Coy, as someone who lives (now) in Atlanta because I met my spouse on an Atlanta dating site (7 yrs. this Sept.!), I might suggest some articles from success stories either from your site or articles on internet dating in general. People come to these sites not only to find others but to understand and be motivated by the process and the service.
Offer tips and have them optin for something like a free guide to hot spots around ATL or tips on meetup situations. Seek out MeetUp groups for not only dating but individual interests groups. Check out the Atlanta Wine Club and see if they will let you sponsor a singles wine tasting or hook up with an upscale wine store for the same (I have one opening up next month right in front of my store.)
By offering interaction with the visitor who leaves an email address, you have a list to do email promotions for.
Good luck and let us know how you are doing.
And if anyone gets married, my store is dedicated to brides and babies :-)
Julia
http://www.StorkandVeil.com

I agree with the above posters that you NEED to break up that front page(you should have multiple different pages (e.g., about us, faq, privacy policy, terms and conditions, about our service, etc.),the eye is CREEPY and you need to get someone to proofread the page for grammar and spelling mistakes (even your name is misspelled in some places). Also, you have a button to sign up for membership and a form on the page to sign up for membership. You should pick one or make the link jump from the button to the form on the page.

That being said, I'm going to focus on the legal aspect, which is my "thing". LOL!

I don't think your privacy policy and TOS are offering you enough protection. You're missing some key elements, such as an age disclaimer, liability protection from matches, etc. I also think that they contradict each other as to what information you're willing to share with third parties...

Also, you need to make sure that you have copyright disclaimers on each page. If you want to protect your page, you need to make sure you provide adequate notice of its copyright status.

I am assuming that the images are in the public domain or that you have a license to use them.

Let me know if you have other questions...

Deena Burgess, Esq.
www.ebusinesslawgroup.com
Offering Affordable Legal Solutions for the Small Business
_____________________________________________________________________

Any opinions are offered without knowledge of the specific law of your jurisdiction and with only the limited information provided in your post. No advice given here should be reasonably relied upon by you or any third party without consulting an attorney who is aware of all of the facts and law surrounding your situation. Any advice given here is not intended to creat an attorney-client relationship in any way.