Friday, February 17, 2012
How Companies Learn Your Secrets - NYTimes.com
How Companies Learn Your Secrets - NYTimes.com: Andrew Pole was hired by Target to use the same kinds of insights into consumers’ habits to expand Target’s sales. H
Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News
Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News: IsaacSchlueter 1275 days ago | link
Whenever there is something free and useful, it's only a matter of time before a not-quite-as-free and even-more-useful alternative comes along.
Craigslist is the ultimate "free and useful" site. But it does a lot.
Dating sites, in particular, outdo Craigslist for personals pretty routinely. OKCupid and PlentyOfFish are almost as free (they have ads), but are much less spammy. (CL's w4m boards are pretty much 100% spam. The others aren't much better. Actually, I'm not sure why they even continue to keep them up.)
The last time I sold a car, and the last time I bought one, I did use CL pretty aggressively, but the actual deal I ended up making was through Autotrader both times.
So, it's possible to compete with Craigslist in specific areas, but it's a bit foolish to try to be the "all forms of classified", since they do THAT pretty damn well. They've stripped down the feature set to the point where it's just what is necessary, and nothing else. Not a bad strategy. (Arguably, the only one that really works.)
The trick is to find something where CL is the best of breed, and figure out the pain points. If the answer is "there aren't any pain points", then move on to the next idea.
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Whenever there is something free and useful, it's only a matter of time before a not-quite-as-free and even-more-useful alternative comes along.
Craigslist is the ultimate "free and useful" site. But it does a lot.
Dating sites, in particular, outdo Craigslist for personals pretty routinely. OKCupid and PlentyOfFish are almost as free (they have ads), but are much less spammy. (CL's w4m boards are pretty much 100% spam. The others aren't much better. Actually, I'm not sure why they even continue to keep them up.)
The last time I sold a car, and the last time I bought one, I did use CL pretty aggressively, but the actual deal I ended up making was through Autotrader both times.
So, it's possible to compete with Craigslist in specific areas, but it's a bit foolish to try to be the "all forms of classified", since they do THAT pretty damn well. They've stripped down the feature set to the point where it's just what is necessary, and nothing else. Not a bad strategy. (Arguably, the only one that really works.)
The trick is to find something where CL is the best of breed, and figure out the pain points. If the answer is "there aren't any pain points", then move on to the next idea.
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Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News
Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News: To beat Craigslist, you need to find something about Craiglist that can not only be done better -- but that users actually want more than Craigslist's reach. Both those requirements need to be there for a competitor to have a chance.
In other words, it's not sufficient enough to say, "Somebody could easily build a better-looking Craiglist". Users aren't willing to post or browse classifieds on a site that may look nicer by doesn't have the same reach.
Likewise, it's not sufficient to offer a site that has "modern" (Web 2.0) tools. Again, that doesn't help users with their primary objective: getting their ad in front of as many people as possible.
So does Craiglist even have an Achilles' Heel then? In my opinion, the one thing that absolutely sucks about posting an ad to Craiglist is getting a ton of flakey or illegible responses from people who are just wasting your time. I don't bother to post small items there anymore because it's just not worth the trouble. If someone could develop a site that filters out all the flakes, I bet you'd have a compelling reason for people to start using it.
In other words, it's not sufficient enough to say, "Somebody could easily build a better-looking Craiglist". Users aren't willing to post or browse classifieds on a site that may look nicer by doesn't have the same reach.
Likewise, it's not sufficient to offer a site that has "modern" (Web 2.0) tools. Again, that doesn't help users with their primary objective: getting their ad in front of as many people as possible.
So does Craiglist even have an Achilles' Heel then? In my opinion, the one thing that absolutely sucks about posting an ad to Craiglist is getting a ton of flakey or illegible responses from people who are just wasting your time. I don't bother to post small items there anymore because it's just not worth the trouble. If someone could develop a site that filters out all the flakes, I bet you'd have a compelling reason for people to start using it.
Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News
Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News: I guess a way of asking is why are we so married to the concept of classifieds. Maybe you should look at innovation in finding jobs, finding houses, etc.
Ebay is an innovation in buying selling stuff (once classifieds territory).
Personally, I think maps/real-estate, very possibly from Google could be a major point of attack. just makes sense to find real estate on a map. Also makes sense to book hotels. 2 money areas online.
Ebay is an innovation in buying selling stuff (once classifieds territory).
Personally, I think maps/real-estate, very possibly from Google could be a major point of attack. just makes sense to find real estate on a map. Also makes sense to book hotels. 2 money areas online.
Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News
Ask YC: Why can't anyone compete with craigslist? | Hacker News: Kaizyn 1275 days ago | link
Then don't try to tackle Craigslist head on. Attack them with an indirect strategy. Focus on what Craigslist doesn't get right and aim for the identified weaknesses. Better yet start by building up a position of strength for your own competing site and once your position is unassailable, then go into competition with them for classified ads. Finally, if you prefer neither indirect approach, then compel Craigslist to try and compete with your company in an area closely related to classified ads but different enough that it will be hard for Craigslist to adapt adequately to compete with you in this new space.
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Then don't try to tackle Craigslist head on. Attack them with an indirect strategy. Focus on what Craigslist doesn't get right and aim for the identified weaknesses. Better yet start by building up a position of strength for your own competing site and once your position is unassailable, then go into competition with them for classified ads. Finally, if you prefer neither indirect approach, then compel Craigslist to try and compete with your company in an area closely related to classified ads but different enough that it will be hard for Craigslist to adapt adequately to compete with you in this new space.
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