Marketplace for Help

rimalala on 08/02/2021 - 13:58
Last edited 08/02/2021 - 20:47 by 1 other user

Hi humans, I have a business/project idea, let me know if u guys think it will work or not.

In essence, it's a social/community platform (website and app) similar to Facebook marketplace and Gumtree, however instead of selling items from other people, people in the community help others with their requests.

Anyone can post a request for help, for example..
• help with clogged pipe
• help with mowing
• help with switching light bulbs
• help with pool maintenance
• help with moving house
• help with cleaning
• help with simple repairs.

Or maybe remote assistance?
• Homework/assessments
• Piece of software or technology
• Design and development
• Artworks and craft?
• Recommandation and advice (e.g. legal advice)
• Phone repairs

Everyone can post requests and services. Registered users can choose to receive notifications for new requests that meet their skills.

Why would I use this instead of professional services.
Say for example u need help with pool maintenance, u can call a professional services, but you will most likely have to make an appointment and pay a higher price. (Slower and more expensive). With this platform, u might be able to reach out other people with a pool who can help out today for a cheaper price.

Difference between this and other similar services (Airtasker, ServiceSeeking, etc)
If we go back selling items as example, Airtasker is like Cash Converters (The physical store) where this platform is like Gumtree. Airtasker control the businesses and users, user pay airtasker commisions and in turn, airtasker act as the middle man that control the transactions. This platform on the other hand is simply a free, open platform, allow users to talk to each other without the middle man and control.
Another distinction between Airtasker and the platform is the people who provide help is individual not business. this also make it different to other serives such as ServiceSeeking, Yellowpages, etc.

Tell me what u think, thanks in advance.

EDIT: After talking to people here and elsewhere, i decided to change this a bit.

This platform will mainly for LOCAL COMMUNITIES( for example a suburb) where people donate their time to help others in their local area for free as way of restoring community spirit, connecting and looking after each other since theres a massive social disconnect in society today and people recognise that. (quote @Meho2026, Thanks). Since all request within the community is free, there will be a credit and trustworth-ness system/meter to track user's helpfulness and their trustworthiness.

We will roll out this platform suburb by surburb so that everyone within the community can join at similar time to avoid no-user problem. furthermore when we roll out the platform to a new surburb we will arrange a mass meetup (for example free outdoor bbq?) (assume covid is no longer an issue) to have higher awareness.

With that been said, User can still choose to post their request to the public (not limited to their local community) for a small fee to get the job done ASAP.

Education & Work

Comments

Hybroid on 08/02/2021 - 13:58

+12

Airtasker.com and others already exist.
- rimalala on 08/02/2021 - 15:29
  
  cyber space is saturated, which is normal and expected. (same as offline)
  u want social netwook? there are more than 50+ services.
  u want super markets? there is coles, woolworth, aldi, etc
  
  I dont think similar services/platform means it will fail. however i agree that it needs to stand out to be successful.
  
  If we go back selling items as example, Airtasker is like Cash Converters (The physical store) where this platform is like Gumtree. Airtasker control the businesses and users, user pay airtasker commisions and in turn, airtasker act as the middle man that control the transactions. This platform on the other hand is simply a free, open platform, allow users to talk to each other without the middle man and control.
  
  Another distinction between Airtasker and the platform is the people who provide help is individual not business. this also make it different to other serives such as ServiceSeeking, Yellowpages, etc.
  - Hybroid on 08/02/2021 - 15:41
    
    +1
    
    This platform on the other hand is simply a free, open platform, allow users to talk to each other without the middle man and control.
    
    This proves you haven't thought it through. No chance this would work. Good luck to you all the same. I'm sure people told Bill, Elon, Steve and Jeff the same thing.
  - Bargain80 on 09/02/2021 - 12:12
    
    +1
    
    I've seen/heard many website trying to do similar things but they never take off.
    
    Could it work?
    Possibly.
    But you need to burn a lot of cash to maintain the website and advertisement.
MSG on 08/02/2021 - 13:59

+5

Basically another Airtasker?

pharkurnell on 08/02/2021 - 14:20

https://www.serviceseeking.com.au/blog/airtasker-similar-sit…

List of Alternatives to Airtasker

ServiceSeeking.com.au for handymen, cleaners, tradies and removalists
Yellowpages
Trulocal
Gumtree
Taskrabbit
Service Central

Jimothy Wongingtons on 08/02/2021 - 14:22

+1

Or maybe remote assistance?
• Homework/assessments
• Piece of software or technology
• Design and development
• Artworks and craft?
-> so basically FIVRR?

• Recommandation and advice (e.g. legal advice)
Mate we already have ozbargain forums for this (especially the legal advice)
Muzeeb on 08/02/2021 - 15:21

+1

let me know if u guys think it will work or not.

If you came up with this idea about 9 years ago it would have been awesome.
- rimalala on 08/02/2021 - 15:31
  
  i agree
Meho2026 on 08/02/2021 - 15:57

Do you mean, its like a community service where people donate their time to help others in their local area for free as way of restoring community spirit, connecting and looking after each other?
If you do that could work. Theres a massive social disconnect in society today and people recognise that.
If you are talking about advertising local services that can be carried out by unlicensed neighbours for a nominal fee, then forget it, thats dodgy.
- Cheaplikethebird on 08/02/2021 - 16:29
  
  No they mean Airtasker just without fee per job. Basically a premium community forum for shitty DIYers.
- rimalala on 08/02/2021 - 20:48
  
  Thanks for the feedback, i believe u have a very good point, i have updated the concept a bit.. please check the edit
ihbh on 08/02/2021 - 16:35
Issues:

(Lack of) Network effects. You're a bit late.

Assurance.
- rimalala on 08/02/2021 - 20:48
  
  Thanks for the feedback, i believe u have a very good point, i have updated the concept a bit.. please check the edit
skinner on 08/02/2021 - 16:45

Maybe it'd have better luck if it was some sort of "swap time for time" system and you could earn credits. Eg. mow a couple lawns, you can get someone to fix your dodgy gate.

Obviously there is already a decent credit system that does the same but this could have more of a community help feel.
- rimalala on 08/02/2021 - 20:48
  
  Thanks for the feedback, i believe u have a very good point, i have updated the concept a bit.. please check the edit
TheBird on 08/02/2021 - 17:06

I have a business/project idea, let me know if u guys think it will work or not.

I think you have the first part of an idea for a concept. While not an exhanstive list, here are a few questions to help you determine whether it has potential as a business or not.

What is your competitive advantage over your well financed and cashed up competition?

How do you make enough money for it to be a business?

How do you acquire customers? How much will it cost to acquire customers?

How do you build scalable awareness?

How much will it cost to start?

How will it scale and how much will it cost to scale?

I've seen a few models where your idea works well, but never one this broad.

I've seen a few models where this kind of thing can work well, so there is potential.

Is there an exit strategy?
- rimalala on 08/02/2021 - 20:25
  
  I m still working on the first part; the idea/concept. Havent really start thinking about the business side of this.i will get to this after i fig out how this project should work
  - TheBird on 09/02/2021 - 15:32
    
    In business, that's putting the cart before the horse.
    
    Doing all the work before you figure out it's a viable business is often a waste of time and resources.
    
    That being said, some of the largest companies currently in the world didn't have this figured out at the start either, so it can work both ways. This though is a me too business which usually means the business model should come first.
Ughhh on 09/02/2021 - 12:25

One problem I can see is insurance and legal liability. If a dodgy handyman who wants to use your house/equipment as a lab rat or a handyman stuffs up something bad, who pays?

How would you found your website and insure it won't be a scam haven?
- rimalala on 09/02/2021 - 14:30
  
  Term and condition will make it clear that this is a platform and will not take any legal liability. Since this platform is not the middle man in transaction.
  
  Facebook marketplace and Gumtree tree work similar, they don't have insurance and garentee and rely on individuals user to not be stupid. And ofc are some scammers and (profanity) around.
  
  It's user's responsibility to make sure the guy isn't dodgy. (Honestly if it's it's major work with significant difficulties and cost, I don't think people will use this platform), with that being said, the platform will have a truthworty and skill set meter for all users.
BargainShopaholic on 11/02/2021 - 01:11

Nextdoor-Neighbourhood already exists

Marketplace for Help

EDIT: After talking to people here and elsewhere, i decided to change this a bit.

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