Biz Idea, info please

frag420

I have an idea for a small interactive web/txt business. It would incorporate txt service that would provide information upon request and also a website for members to interact and share ideas/info/chat. At this moment in time there is no such service available in Ireland or the Uk so i hoipe you will understand if i keep the details under my hat for the time being.

Now where do i start?? How do i get a business plan written up? Who can i approach for funding or advice? Does anyone know of companies that provide text services?

Any and all help appreciated.


frag

Support4Biz

In the first instance I would recommend contacting your local County/City Enterprise Board. They employ Business Advisors who can give you free advice on starting up.

They also run training courses (usually evenings) on starting a business which would cover business plans, marketing, finance etc.

Hope this helps.

conolan

I had a similar idea some years ago. Because I can program, I was able to prototype it using a mobile phone connected to my serial port (was years ago).
Prototype would be important. You might get funding for the prototype if the idea is seen as export potential.

byrne0f56789

Prototype it first, you have to do this on your own. Find out any online communities, forums or groups in your area and join them. Get people to try your beta and ask them to give feedback. Keep making it better. Use Google and search every conceivable keyword that relates to your business. If you find public companies (most likely on the NASDAQ or London AIM) download their annual report from their website and read it. This will give you a good idea of their business model while also giving a solid industry analysis.

Set up a blog right now and start blogging on your industry like crazy. At least 1 post a day if you can. Also, set up a website asap. Use Google news to find out any acquisitions or IPOs of similar companies.

The most important thing you need in order to get funding is traction. That's sales and hopefully profits. Number of users, key reference sites etc. are also traction. Right now, people will only invest in a business to scale it and not to get it up and running. However, if you can develop the core technology to a reasonable level yourself everything else will follow.

Keep you business plan short and sweet. I recommend doing it in PowerPoint (about 10-15 slides) and presenting it as a PDF or print out.
It's quite difficult to get grants in the current economic climate so don't spend too long on this.

The key is not to get sidetracked and just go for it.

stepbar

frag420 wrote: »

I have an idea for a small interactive web/txt business. It would incorporate txt service that would provide information upon request and also a website for members to interact and share ideas/info/chat. At this moment in time there is no such service available in Ireland or the Uk so i hoipe you will understand if i keep the details under my hat for the time being.

Now where do i start?? How do i get a business plan written up? Who can i approach for funding or advice? Does anyone know of companies that provide text services?

Any and all help appreciated.


frag

Answer me this.... Have you ever wondered why there isn't such a service in Ireland / UK? Think long and hard about it and then post your answer.

frag420

STEPBAR

My bad............There are similar ideas that have been around for a few years in both Ireland and the Uk. However the main difference is that they are very localised wherebye i want to go at a national level. Nearly every county has something similar but there is nothing available to tie all the relevent info on a national level together so as to create a one stop shop for the people who would be interested in this service. It is already a hugely popular service in both Ireland and the UK. Ideally what i am looking for is that when someone googles the service they require then we will be the first on the list. I have looked at search optimisation and from that i have already reg a few web addresses. To be honest i was surprised some of them were available as they would be a goldmine in this particular industry/service.

We are currently researching similar sites around the globe so as to get the design and structure right for the website and the relevent technology we will require. We are working with a web design company who i must say have been very helpfull as we are novices when it comes to business start up. We are going to take it slow however as to make sure it is done correct the first time. We are in the research stage at present and hope to get a business plan done up over the next month to present to local enterprise board.

Thanks for the feedback people, please keep it coming...........

Frag

osurdivol

Check your private messages frag420.

onedmc

stepbar wrote: »

Answer me this.... Have you ever wondered why there isn't such a service in Ireland / UK? Think long and hard about it and then post your answer.

But there are companies doing this sort of thing. There is one sponsored by EI but I cant remember the name. It links communities via text messages