Bitcoin Forum

Bitcoin => Project Development => Topic started by: evandersmart on March 17, 2015, 11:12:30 PM



Title: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: evandersmart on March 17, 2015, 11:12:30 PM

Thousands of vendors, from all over the world, even different languages, selling their wares in digital currency ONLY! No PayPal, no fiat currency, no debit cards. Just Bitcoin. What do you think?

Looking to have it up by June. Working with coders, programmers, investors, compliance officers, etc. It's not cheap or easy, but with the Bitcoin/Bitcoin forum community's help, we can do it! The Bitcoin community deserves a place of our own, not be a charity case of the current establishment. Let's build the community we want, and forget the relics of yesteryear!

How should it work?

The basic premise is buy and sell downloadable, digital goods and services (No physical goods. Webcams, videos, eBooks, affiliate offers, etc.) ONLY IN digital currency (Bitcoin, or altcoins as an option), for The Digital Age consumer.  OpenBazaar doesn't seem to be able to get off the ground, so my team is going to build it right from the start. The best way to build it right from the start is to get feedback and input from the Bitcoin community!

So here are some questions that will influence the future of our Bitcoin business:

1.  Is it even a good idea? Do you want an exclusive Amazon.com-style marketplace for Bitcoin/altcoin owners? Great for starting an information business where you get paid in Bitcoin. Anything from a Clickbank offer to your girlfriend's webcam.

2.  Should altcoins be included? Keep in mind this is a business that needs to show a profit, and 98% of altcoins have no real value. Ideas on how to integrate them in a way that is useful to vendors, users and site management.

3.  What should the fees per sale be? Keep in mind this is a business and it needs to make money, but it needs to be low cost to attract new business. We were thinking 5% of the sale (Amazon goes up to 15%), but the first 30 days are free. Amazon charges almost $40 for a monthly program where you sell as much as you want. Should we do that? How much for that?

4.  What would get you to sell your digital goods there? What incentives would work on you? What would you want to see as a consumer?

5.  Should it include physical goods like Amazon.com, or keep everything digital and downloadable. Trying to avoid shipping, extra costs, customer service/international commerce issues.

6.  Want eBay style auctions included? We think we can do that. We can make it eBay style or Amazon for a straight sale. Maybe eBay is better for consumer engagement? Amazon is simpler to run and manage. Send feedback or advice.

7.  What would be a good promotion? We're thinking top 3 stores get their Bitcoin fees back at the end of the month. And first 30 days are free for everybody.

8.  Would a lightbox with a free site newsletter be ok when you come to the site? Add you email to get the latest vendors, products and deals? Maybe it appears after a few seconds, not right when the page loads.


If you have a question, comment or suggestion, let me know.
Thanks. ;)

Evander


Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: TheButterZone on March 17, 2015, 11:16:08 PM
There's already been 2 sites claiming to be the Bitcoin Amazon already. And they were so successful, I forgot what they were called. Amazon Amazon needs to accept and hold BTC before they are the last business on NASDAQ, or Planet Earth, that does.


Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: evandersmart on March 17, 2015, 11:18:50 PM
Probably didn't stop here first to find out how to do it right!
Sound like stillborn projects.

OpenBazaar isn't going anywhere. has been in "beta-testing" for months.
We're building something sustainable.


Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: hgerson on March 17, 2015, 11:57:32 PM

I use Cryptothrift (https://cryptothrift.com/).

You need to make it better if you want to succeed.




7.  What would be a good promotion? We're thinking top 3 stores get their Bitcoin fees back at the end of the month. And first 30 days are free for everybody.


You should avoid any fees at least until it skyrockets IMO.


Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: evandersmart on March 18, 2015, 12:03:57 AM
They seem to only sell physical items, and can only ship within the U.S., so it's not global or apples-to-apples.
Seems like a nice place, and seems well-sorted, but not where we're going.

Good to see the market leader and build on what they do well and what they lack.
Thanks for the tip.


Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: hgerson on March 18, 2015, 12:59:49 AM
They seem to only sell physical items.
 

No. You can sell anything.


and can only ship within the U.S., so it's not global or apples-to-apples.



No. I'm not in the US.

It's worldwide.


Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: evandersmart on March 18, 2015, 02:39:39 AM
I tried to buy something from outside the U.S. and it said no.
Maybe it was just that merchant?

With downloadable products, problem solved, and it hits a different market.
Looks like they do physical items and it works for them. Didn't see anything but physical items there.
Site crashed when I was there anyway, and is still down.

Maybe the market needs digital marketplace? We'll see.....



Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: evandersmart on March 18, 2015, 01:31:52 PM
Maybe take the loss up front, and make all transactions free for 2015?


Title: Re: Feedback: Building world's first Amazon.com-style online marketplace for Bitcoin
Post by: Nowi on March 18, 2015, 07:10:23 PM
Ebay style would be really good, btw if it will be amazon style you thing it can in future have warehaus minimal at Europe ?