Question about How to get started with Business Idea

[GarretB]

Hey guys,

So I want to start some kind of business and i'm curious how to actually get started though. Right now I am considering starting a Tour Singapore website because i have a good domain for it and all. I've seen many others online such as ToursInSingapore()com which is similar to what I would want to do but i'm wondering how to get started.

Would I go through and contact each tour location (such as Universal Singapore, etc) to set up a patneship with for them or something? Or would I be able to find a major company or something that already has connections with many places and set up a deal with them to offer their Singapore tours on my website?

Also, Do you think my main costs would mostly be just website design, maintenance, etc.. and time mostly? since I will be selling the services of other companies I'm hoping start-up costs could be fairly low.

Also anyone have any links on good information to look into for a business like this? I have a University Business degree but didn't learn enough about how to actually create a business haha.

Thanks for your time

 

[nielsencl]

In general I think the costs can be quite low, but it really depends on what kind of business you want to have. Because this is all new to you, I recommend learning a lot more about what other people have done so you can avoid their mistakes. On the other hand if you just do something and make mistakes you may learn more than you are at school.

I would start with deciding what your long term goals are and how you are going make money from a site. Here are some of the many options:

- Start a blog. This is best if you know about the topic or want to learn about it. And it requires the interest and ability to write about it at least 2-3 times a week. Posting about events happening at the location would be good as would posting about any travel deals or specials you hear about. Let people post comments about the hotels and attractions and it will boost your content with little work.

The site can make money using Google AdSense or by direct advertisers, but they may not be easy to get. You can also have a form for people that want to be contacted about travel and sell those leads to a web site or travel broker.

- A travel affiliate site. You can create a site and get money when people book travel and hotels via your site.

- A portal or directory site. This may be the most easy. You decide on the site format and start collecting information about travel options. You start adding listings for free and monetize via AdSense. Later when you have traffic coming in you can try to find direct advertisers.

- A photo gallery site. Collect photos about the location and present them in a way that entertains and informs people about the location. Use one or more monetization methods.


It might be a good idea to contact some of your potential advertisers and ask them for suggestions. If you can find something that people want but is not being offered, like a "Traveller's lost and found", "Tourist message board", and "Coupon share board". Are things that could set you apart from other sites and help people to remember you.

Good Luck!

 

[enlytend]

Right now I am considering starting a Tour Singapore website because i have a good domain for it and all.

What do you know about tourism and the tourism industry? If all you have is a domain you have a big learning curve ahead of you. Travel/tourism is VERY competitive.

Go one of the routes nielsond suggested, like a blog, directory or affiliate site. You will need to add a lot of value to an affiliate site or directory - search engines are very sensitive to spam in that niche. Once your site is big enough to be taken seriously, then approach potential advertising partners (if they don't contact you first.)

Good luck!