Million Dollar Homepage

January 5, 2009 7:12 AM

What are some alternative business models on the internet besides selling antiques and books? I have been tasked at school with brainstorming ideas for alternative business models including revenue generating websites and internet based services. That revenue could come from advertising, AdWords, Software as Subscription, or any other alternative model. Things that quickly come to mind are: 1) Subscription based software for take-out restaurants, 2) Residential helpdesk service using GoToMyPC type software, or 3) iTunes for call centers ( Jukebox while your on hold ). If you ran a startup, what would it be? Are there a finite amount of ways to generate revenue?
posted by kaizen to Work & Money (3 answers total)

I would try to search for what customers want. If this is just for school I think you'd get some interesting ideas by googling for "I wish someone made" or "I wish there was a website that", etc (with the quotes shown so you use the exact phrase). You may get a lot of "I wish there were flying ponies" but you'll also get a lot of useful leads, too.
posted by crapmatic at 7:23 AM on January 5, 2009

There's a similar sort of website to your subscription based take out suggestion, called Hungry House in the UK.. It got it's funding through a TV show called Dragons Den..

Basically, takeaways subscribe to the service, their entire menu is uploaded, and the end user can select restaurants that deliver in their area, and rate them accordingly.

Very good idea, and one that I use regularly.
posted by the_epicurean at 7:40 AM on January 5, 2009

Not to be trite, but the potential is limitless, so long as you can generate something other people want or need. Of course, a lot of the low-hanging fruit have already been plucked and implemented, successfully or otherwise.

In terms of new ideas, I'd think of services/subscriptions more than products, unless you're distributing physical goods (a la eBay businesses). This lets you sidestep the DRM/piracy/lack of scarcity mess. Also, bear in mind what resources you'll need -- keep in mind that something like "iTunes for call centers" could quickly run afoul of licensing fees from music rights-holders.

A few things I've seen implemented successfully:
- Selling reconditioned goods bundled with long-term service/consumable contracts to companies. The work here is physical, but the sales can be internet/phone-based.
- Providing person-to-person services that aren't tied to location (tutoring via videoconference, etc)
- Creating and marketing custom or semi-custom web services for companies with specific sets of needs, like the restaraunt idea. Look at 37Signals for a good example of doing this well for a large customer-base.
posted by Alterscape at 11:03 AM on January 5, 2009