I have an idea for an online service which seems pretty unique and also seems pretty dam useful at least in my mind, the idea does not require much capital or physical inventory of any goods. All it needs is a website. I don?t have any capital nor the ability to do any web development. Can an idea for a service be patented?
how to go about starting a .com business?
- Thread starter DarkManX
- Start date
business method patent.
you want money? you need to pitch to VCs, or bum it off your friends, family.
you want money? you need to pitch to VCs, or bum it off your friends, family.
If all you need is a website, why not do it yourself? Or hire somebody to create the site.
What's the idea anyways? I doubt it's anything special. I remember years ago some guy here was being all secretive because he thought he scored the best internet job in the world, and wouldn't reveal it. After enough pressuring, he did... and it was stuffing envelopes LOL
What's the idea anyways? I doubt it's anything special. I remember years ago some guy here was being all secretive because he thought he scored the best internet job in the world, and wouldn't reveal it. After enough pressuring, he did... and it was stuffing envelopes LOL
this type of website would prolly cost alot of money.... and it would need to be marketed and made known to the public to become succusessful.
why would i reveal my idea? I didnt say this was going to be the next google or youtube, but i think it would be a pretty cool service.
flexy
Diamond Member
- Sep 28, 2001
- 8,464
- 155
- 106
i put up countless websites with literally ZERO money. I even got .com domains free. You can sell as amazon affiliate or any other affililiate-program and get commision. Google Adsense etc..etc..
In THEORY its possible to make thousands/month just by having good websites.
Whats your problem...where do you think you need help ?
NEVERMIND....i think you target a different area
it would be hard to explain without revealing the actual service... but it would be a pretty extensive database. it would be a type of service where people can put up a classified ad and other people/companies would look at them (potentially pay to have access to them?) thats the best i can describe it without giving details.
ultimatebob
Lifer
- Jul 1, 2001
- 25,134
- 2,450
- 126
Man... I have the same problem.
I have an great idea for an electronics discount sale site, but I have no idea how to build and promote one.
Who do you go to for help with something like that?
I have an great idea for an electronics discount sale site, but I have no idea how to build and promote one.
Who do you go to for help with something like that?
I think I remember that thread. Didn't he start out by claiming he had already become a millionaire?
Do you have a link by chance? That thread was hilarious, if it's the one I'm thinking of.
I've talked with lots of biz/MBA people, as well as serious VC and angel investors. In fact, I used to work for a VC firm in silicon valley.
I know you think your idea is original. You can feel it.
It's not.
(reread those last two sentences until you get it into your head)
Here's the common sentiment about "not telling people about your idea": If your idea is SO EFFIN' SIMPLE that upon hearing it, I can go do it myself with success, your idea is worthless, because if really was that simple, someone would have done it already.
You may think "yeah, but in this case..."
No. Stop. Trust me.
The reality is, your idea might very well be a "good idea". I bet it really is. Would totally be handy. Would work. Would be popular. That does NOT mean it would be a good business. So, yeah, by keeping the cat in the bag, you're making sure no one else does it, and if you ever do it, you'll get the notoriety, but the reality is, you could post the idea in every forum on the planet and you likely wouldn't be costing yourself a cent.
So, if you want to do it, do it. If you need some help to do it, get help. But for the love of christ, don't sweat telling people about it (ESPECIALLY when it's something as trivial as a website. You think crap like Myspace was a "secret"?)
We're all waiting for the link!
I know you think your idea is original. You can feel it.
It's not.
(reread those last two sentences until you get it into your head)
Here's the common sentiment about "not telling people about your idea": If your idea is SO EFFIN' SIMPLE that upon hearing it, I can go do it myself with success, your idea is worthless, because if really was that simple, someone would have done it already.
You may think "yeah, but in this case..."
No. Stop. Trust me.
The reality is, your idea might very well be a "good idea". I bet it really is. Would totally be handy. Would work. Would be popular. That does NOT mean it would be a good business. So, yeah, by keeping the cat in the bag, you're making sure no one else does it, and if you ever do it, you'll get the notoriety, but the reality is, you could post the idea in every forum on the planet and you likely wouldn't be costing yourself a cent.
So, if you want to do it, do it. If you need some help to do it, get help. But for the love of christ, don't sweat telling people about it (ESPECIALLY when it's something as trivial as a website. You think crap like Myspace was a "secret"?)
We're all waiting for the link!
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
- Feb 16, 2003
- 26,108
- 5
- 81
If the resources are what you need, a VC could be the way to go. Look for contests that you can enter that award money for the top X entries or something. I don't know the proper terms, but they exist.
Also, NETWORK and TALK. If you bottle up an idea and don't let it grow, it won't get anywhere.
Get 5 people and sit down with them for drinks. Tell them a little about it or toss some numbers at them to excite them, do whatever it takes. Before you get to specifics, toss an NDA down, and then tell that to go any further, you need a signed NDA from each of them. At that point, bring out documents you've prepared in advance and get them involved. I did this for an idea recently with people in the hosting industry near where I live and hope my idea goes further. While you don't want to give up your idea to others if it really is that good, you don't want to hinder the success because you weren't willing to get others involved. If you don't know how to do this, then find someone who does and partner up with them.
Write down your top 5 strengths and have them write their down, and then again for weaknesses. Find someone who complements your opposites.
Also, sometimes it's not the idea, but rather execution that is horrid. There have been examples where companies had a great idea, but it failed, then someone came up, and made a new business succeed on the same idea. This happens in every industry and you should be prepared for that. If you don't do it right, someone else will.
Edit: The reason I mentioned the partnership was that it's just an idea of how to get this idea going somewhere. There are hundreds of ways to form a new business, just have to see what works best for you.
Also, NETWORK and TALK. If you bottle up an idea and don't let it grow, it won't get anywhere.
Get 5 people and sit down with them for drinks. Tell them a little about it or toss some numbers at them to excite them, do whatever it takes. Before you get to specifics, toss an NDA down, and then tell that to go any further, you need a signed NDA from each of them. At that point, bring out documents you've prepared in advance and get them involved. I did this for an idea recently with people in the hosting industry near where I live and hope my idea goes further. While you don't want to give up your idea to others if it really is that good, you don't want to hinder the success because you weren't willing to get others involved. If you don't know how to do this, then find someone who does and partner up with them.
Write down your top 5 strengths and have them write their down, and then again for weaknesses. Find someone who complements your opposites.
Also, sometimes it's not the idea, but rather execution that is horrid. There have been examples where companies had a great idea, but it failed, then someone came up, and made a new business succeed on the same idea. This happens in every industry and you should be prepared for that. If you don't do it right, someone else will.
Edit: The reason I mentioned the partnership was that it's just an idea of how to get this idea going somewhere. There are hundreds of ways to form a new business, just have to see what works best for you.
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
- Feb 16, 2003
- 26,108
- 5
- 81
Then do something about it. Find someone you trust, and *discuss* the idea - it won't get anywhere if you don't discuss it. Like I said in the last post, toss some NDA's around, and get discussions going. If the people you talk to know others that would be potentially an asset to this idea, bring them in.
AgaBoogaBoo
Lifer
- Feb 16, 2003
- 26,108
- 5
- 81
QFT
/thread
FTW
QFT
Generate interest from others and get some talk going, that's the only way it'll move forward. If there was another way and you knew it, you wouldn't have posted here
I was about to post something similar. Why are people so terrified of posting their business ideas on a public forum or telling people about them? Do you really think the readers are going to suddenly drop everything else that is going on in their life and try to compete against you?
ultimatebob
Lifer
- Jul 1, 2001
- 25,134
- 2,450
- 126
I help do this for a living, I've literally been on the purchase side of billions in deals (responsible for the evaluation and technical due dilligence), and Scootermaster couldn't have posted what I was going to say better...
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