Why not just start the business rather than do SEO?

[gentzalli]

lets say you can rank for painters chicago, instead of selling the leads or renting the site, why not just partner up with qualified painters to start your own business?

Do any of you own local businesses but only do the technical/administration stuff?

I know there are a lot of factors when it comes to business, but they are worth overcoming I imagine if the rewards are high.

Edit- this is assuming you live in the city and can deal with these people face to face.

 

[ToughSeoX]

do what, which makes you happy. And believe me the person which are doing SEO is not only Doing SEO. Just like offline there are thousands of online opportunities.
You do Hardwork you'll be getting Rewards. Offline or Online. Doesn't matter

 

[Stavro]

I handle the administrative side of a family business, as well as some long-term contracts for websites/SEO, and some side projects.

The family business easily takes up 80% of my work time, but it only accounts for a third of my income at best. We're already at a 3 month backlog and charging above standard rates, so it's not a lack of work causing the discrepancy, it's just the 'herding cats' nature of dealing with suppliers who don't believe in electricity and require all orders to be in-person, and clients who change their mind one day before delivery but won't accept any delay.

If you have experience running a service-based business and want to get back into it again, then by all means go for it. But if you're currently doing contract work and think you'll get a bigger piece of the pie by selling the services directly, forget it.

 

[gentzalli]

I handle the administrative side of a family business, as well as some long-term contracts for websites/SEO, and some side projects.

The family business easily takes up 80% of my work time, but it only accounts for a third of my income at best. We're already at a 3 month backlog and charging above standard rates, so it's not a lack of work causing the discrepancy, it's just the 'herding cats' nature of dealing with suppliers who don't believe in electricity and require all orders to be in-person, and clients who change their mind one day before delivery but won't accept any delay.

If you have experience running a service-based business and want to get back into it again, then by all means go for it. But if you're currently doing contract work and think you'll get a bigger piece of the pie by selling the services directly, forget it.

I don't have experience running the business, but the way I see it is two options: 1 - Find someone who is already in the business and just send them the leads directly (or rent the website) or 2 - partner and start it up on your own.

Now, I understand why it may sound like a bad idea. I don't understand the industry or have any experience in the business at all. But if we were to assume that I have a trusted partner to go 50/50 with who is reliable and knows the industry inside and out, what is the reason for not just starting the business? This is assuming I have a guy who knows exactly what he's doing and is great at his trade, but is missing the leads/customers/website/online presence. This person would also have the desire to start the business, and I am willing to learn the industry as well. Why is it a bad idea?

 

[BeastMoney]

Brings about more paperwork. Starting a business, getting the required licence, and certification for the service being provided etc.

 

[MunnyMachine]

Allows you to promote many different businesses at once without all the extra headache, but I see what you mean.

 

[Stavro]

But if we were to assume that I have a trusted partner to go 50/50 with who is reliable and knows the industry inside and out, what is the reason for not just starting the business?

Is your partner going to still agree to 50/50 if he has to handle all the permits, licenses, insurance, bonds, quotes, and suppliers? If you know nothing at all about the trade, would you have any idea where to start?

You're vastly underestimating the amount of paperwork that goes into an in-home service-based business. Stick with what you know, charge a flat fee, and let someone else handle all the legal headaches.

 

[mickyfu]

lets say you can rank for painters chicago, instead of selling the leads or renting the site, why not just partner up with qualified painters to start your own business?

Because you can rank for many more areas and take the money?

 

[gentzalli]

Is your partner going to still agree to 50/50 if he has to handle all the permits, licenses, insurance, bonds, quotes, and suppliers? If you know nothing at all about the trade, would you have any idea where to start?

You're vastly underestimating the amount of paperwork that goes into an in-home service-based business. Stick with what you know, charge a flat fee, and let someone else handle all the legal headaches.

I run a local food business so I know the pains of initial paperwork, licenses, insurance, etc. and as far as I'm concerned, those are things you only have to deal with in the beginning. It is a headache but IMO, it's a weak reason to not start a business - once you get the ball rolling things become more about the actual business rather than the paperwork. I would not do it all alone, I would do it with my partner as he's the one in the industry.

Because you can rank for many more areas and take the money?

True, but whose to say you can't do both? Hypothetically, if I have a close friend in Chicago who is a great painter and knows other great painters, and I have the opportunity to be a part of one of the biggest painting companies in the city, why wouldn't I take that deal? Of course, you can still focus just on leadgen on the side for other businesses/cities, but I feel like there's much more money to be made when you're actually part of the business, even if it's not 50/50.

 

[Word Wizard]

Because you can rank for many more areas and take the money?

Exactly this. Get paid by 10 businesses instead of dealing with the BS of starting a painting operation.

Also, SEO is a business in its own right. Offline businesses carry more risk.

 

[Stavro]

I run a local food business so I know the pains of initial paperwork, licenses, insurance, etc. and as far as I'm concerned, those are things you only have to deal with in the beginning.

So you only have to deal with clients, suppliers, marketing, accounting, and other administrative tasks once per business?

I would not do it all alone, I would do it with my partner as he's the one in the industry.

In other words, your partner handles 100% of the skilled labor and 50% of the administrative tasks, you handle the other half of the administrative tasks, and your partner gives you 50% of the total profits?

If your proposed business partner is really agreeing to such a deal, I would be asking some serious questions about his mental health...

 

[mickyfu]

I run a local food business so I know the pains of initial paperwork, licenses, insurance, etc. and as far as I'm concerned, those are things you only have to deal with in the beginning. It is a headache but IMO, it's a weak reason to not start a business - once you get the ball rolling things become more about the actual business rather than the paperwork. I would not do it all alone, I would do it with my partner as he's the one in the industry.



True, but whose to say you can't do both? Hypothetically, if I have a close friend in Chicago who is a great painter and knows other great painters, and I have the opportunity to be a part of one of the biggest painting companies in the city, why wouldn't I take that deal? Of course, you can still focus just on leadgen on the side for other businesses/cities, but I feel like there's much more money to be made when you're actually part of the business, even if it's not 50/50.

Well for one I didn't say you couldn't. However let's not get into the fact of my best friend is my best friend. (For arguments sake). If you sold to someone else, you don't have your best friend hanging over your business.

 

[grimonz]

i think you should do what is best and easier to do