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23 Replies Last post: Mar 3, 2008 9:23 PM by davidglenn33

Social networking site just for Small Businesses!

Feb 24, 2008 10:26 AM

SmallBizLink 6 posts since
Feb 24, 2008

It seems that there is a large group of small business owners that are looking for a way to utilize the internet to there advantage. I'm curious if any small business owners would be interested in a site that is designed specifically for small business networking. My thought would be to post information that can help small business go digital and use the internet to grow their business. What do you think? I'm looking for ideas on making the site better. Currently the site is under construction and is just in the beginning faze so any input would help to develop the site better.

Tags: facebook, online_networking, ecommerce, startup, question Report as inappropriate

DomainDiva 1,732 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

1. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 10:36 AM

A social networking site for small businesses is a great idea. Facebook & MySpace are so juvenile. I am in.

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LUCKIEST 7,938 posts since
Aug 6, 2007

2. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 12:37 PM

Welcome to this web site.
As DD said "
A social networking site for small businesses is a great idea"
You said that "currently your site is under construction"
Keep us up to date and let us know if we can help.
LUCKIEST

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Lighthouse24 2,396 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

3. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 12:38 PM

I consider this to be a social networking site for small business. There are many, many others out there that allow more advertising and promotion, and that make it easier for businesses to communicate directly -- but they seem to lack (a) useful content, (b) adequate member/visitor volume, and (c) a major sponsor to drive huge numbers of new members to the site (who return daily/repeatedly) as BoA does for this one. To keep from joining that crowd, I think your site would have to have unique and desirable content, offer member features that this site doesn't, and have some type of sponsorship or marketing that draws high volumes of repeat visitors very quickly (this community gets about 40 new members a day, and no telling how many new/unique visitors who don't sign up).

Security is another concern. Every feature that makes it easier for legitimate businesses to interact via the Internet also makes it easier for an illegitimate business to scam an unsuspecting owner -- or to just be a pest (like the MLMer in this community who is now pitching his sixth different business here, with multiple posts, and has used the e-mail addresses and phone numbers in our profile info each time to try to build his downline for gift sales, business information, legal plans, travel, you name it. So some form of member screening, verification, monitoring, and reporting would be another feature to consider if your site is really going to ramp up the benefits of (and participation in) a web-based business network.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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NickiLaycoax 7 posts since
Feb 24, 2008

4. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 1:15 PM

I am a member of an online community for businesses in the State of Indiana. It is called <a href="http://www.smallerindiana.com/profile/NickiLaycoax">Smaller Indiana</a> The community was created by Pat Coyle from the Indianapolis Colt's using <a href="http://www.ning.com">Ning</a>. If you plan to start the community for Small Businesses, check out Smaller Indiana to see how we are doing it to get some pointers. It has been a great resource for me!

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NickiLaycoax 7 posts since
Feb 24, 2008

5. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 1:18 PM

in response to: NickiLaycoax

Ha! Apparently HTML is not allowed in these comments.

My Smaller Indiana profile:
http://smallerindiana.com/profile/NickiLaycoax

Smaller Indiana Home Page:
http://www.smallerindiana.com

To create a new social networking platform of any type:
http://www.ning.com

Sorry about that!

Nicki

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Lighthouse24 2,396 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

6. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 2:00 PM

in response to: NickiLaycoax

Excellent example, Nicki -- I've actually stumbled across that site in the past when looking for something else, so there was obviously some relevant content there -- plus it has a regional tie and theme to help create and build a loyal membership, and a high profile sponsor (in your locale, at least) to help drive awareness and interest. How long has that community been up and running?

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NatOnline 670 posts since
Oct 10, 2007

7. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 2:28 PM

SmallBizLink it is a great idea, perhaps a small business owners sites with a general description on the business, but not only that. I have not seen many small business sites with interviews with the owners

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SmallBizLink 6 posts since
Feb 24, 2008

8. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 6:42 PM

Thank you all for your advice! I'll be looking into your suggestions, the feedback is all benefitial.

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NickiLaycoax 7 posts since
Feb 24, 2008

9. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 24, 2008 7:59 PM

in response to: Lighthouse24

SI has been up for about 4 months I think... I was member 400 and they just hit 1,000 members last week. It's pretty exciting to watch and be part of the growth. Let me know if you have questions!

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meek10 8 posts since
Feb 25, 2008

10. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 25, 2008 6:32 PM

Hi, the idea is great specially to me that needs support in my networkingf business. The system will contribute a lot in easy managing the flow. Thank you

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NickiLaycoax 7 posts since
Feb 24, 2008

11. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 25, 2008 7:30 PM

in response to: meek10

No problem!

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print28 32 posts since
Feb 21, 2008

12. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 25, 2008 10:32 PM

To SmallBizLink : I am in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is exactly what I have been going without sleep, and my mind is always going on, how can our business grow through the internet!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I know that there are many, many companies, that say that they are printers, designers, copiers, and promotional products, but I want everyone to know about our company, and this is exactly what I have been dreaming of but did not know, what to do next! I would love to hear more from you and to see the response you get, and I want in on this deal also!!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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intechspecial 1,457 posts since
Jan 6, 2008

13. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 26, 2008 1:21 AM

I like the idea of a social networking site for business.

Please do keep us updated as to its status.

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ModernGorilla 24 posts since
Feb 22, 2008

14. Re: Social networking site just for Small Businesses! Feb 26, 2008 11:10 AM

Why go through the hassle of starting your own? Just start one on Ning.com..

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Social networking site just for Small Businesses!

Feb 24, 2008 10:26 AM

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