Business idea to help mums out - feedback needed :)

[Suzie767]

Hi all,

Its been a little while since I used this forum. It was a great source of help and advice when my lo was small and for that I am very grateful.

My little baby is now a little bigger and Ive been back to work for some time but I need a new challenge. I have a business idea with my partner and Im exploring how viable it is at the moment so the feedback of fellow forum goers would be very appreciated.

Our business idea is this: a website for domestic service to book and pay online (like just eat is for takeaways) local reputable businesses will post their service from ironing to dog walking, gardening, car valeting and more.

Their customers will then be able to book and pay securely online for a day and time that suits them. The customers will be able to read and leave reviews and book one off or continual service.

Gift vouchers will also be available so if your hubby cant think of anything to get you for mothers day at least you might get a week off the ironing.

Let me know what you think of this idea - good or bad - we welcome all feedback

Thanks in advance

S

[AgentProvocateur]

Why would my husband get me something for Mother's Day? I'm not his mother. And if he got me ironing vouchers, he wouldn't be my husband for long!

That aside, I can't see what the usp would be - I can call and book all these services already and pay by cash or bank transfer. Why would I use a website to book it?

[Suzie767]

Usually if people have small children their husbands get their mothers day presents as the children arent able to themselves. Im sure theres lots of mums on here where thats the case but of course not everyone.

Some people also prefer not to have to have cash on them or arrange things over the telephone, but again of course not everyone which is why we're hoping for contrasting feedback and all is welcome.

When I order a takeaway I now order it online so there less chance of getting it wrong, I know roughly when its coming an I dont have to go out to the cash machine to pay for it (I rarely carry money as I find i spend more this way) This was my logic for the idea and I was wondering if this appealed to more people than just me.

[twentyten]

Do you vet all suppliers? Who is the contract with? Where is your profit made? Sounds a bit like rated people.

[sunbathe]

I think it's a good idea, particularly if you can get the review side working properly - no businesses giving themselves good reviews.

[Suzie767]

Thanks for feedback :-)

All suppliers will sign up to a 'code of conduct' in the terms and conditions. The website will mediate for any issues or complaints and the funds are not released to the business until 24 hours after the service to give the customer an opportunity to raise a dispute.

All reviews will be moderated before acceptance to the website and obviously fraudulent ones will be removed. Rated people is a good service but for tradesman, this is for domestic services and had more functionality and lower cost to register.

The website has 2 revenue streams, businesses pay a small fee to register and then sacrifice a small transaction fee per online booking. It doesn't cost customers anything other than the cost of the service.

[CreepyLittleBat]

Yes to the idea, although I don't use 'domestic services' myself.
Ewwwwwwwwwww to the thought of my husband thinking not doing ironing was a present. If he was that lacking in imagination/basic humanity he wouldn't be my husband for long!

[MrsMargoLeadbetter]

I think there is a market.

You might already be aware of them but I saw the CEO of this org interviewed in Management Today hassle.com - think it is similar to what you are describing.

Maybe the gift vouchers could be for couples who have just had a baby?

[Heels99]

If I want any of those services I can already see them online in my town and pay online. I don't think the idea is quite right unfortunately