I built a Yelp-like site for my local area several years ago (before Yelp existed). I never really pursued it, but it was nice to see the idea validated by Yelp's success.
That being said, it stinks if they've really resorted to this. I understand they need to answer to investors, but their choice of business models is fairly un-creative.
If I were to build a better Yelp, it would look like this (off the top of my head):
- Reviews in two columns: positive reviews on the left, negative reviews on the right.
- Bad/good reviews cannot be deleted (unless it can be verified false or shills), but the business owner/manager can reply to the review (tripadvisor does this)
- Business model: allow businesses to sell printable gift cards or discounted vouchers (ala restaurant.com) and take a %
- Business model: for a monthly fee a business can add videos, images, and additional tools (similar to yelp's current sponsorship program but better)
- Business model: build a flexible reservation/appointment SaaS that can be used by any business that needs it. Anything from restaurants to salons to mechanics could use something like this. If a customer could find a good business AND make an appointment on the same site, that's gold right there.
That being said, it stinks if they've really resorted to this. I understand they need to answer to investors, but their choice of business models is fairly un-creative.
If I were to build a better Yelp, it would look like this (off the top of my head):
- Reviews in two columns: positive reviews on the left, negative reviews on the right.
- Bad/good reviews cannot be deleted (unless it can be verified false or shills), but the business owner/manager can reply to the review (tripadvisor does this)
- Business model: allow businesses to sell printable gift cards or discounted vouchers (ala restaurant.com) and take a %
- Business model: for a monthly fee a business can add videos, images, and additional tools (similar to yelp's current sponsorship program but better)
- Business model: build a flexible reservation/appointment SaaS that can be used by any business that needs it. Anything from restaurants to salons to mechanics could use something like this. If a customer could find a good business AND make an appointment on the same site, that's gold right there.
Think out of the box, Yelp ... c'mon