I am looking at the idea of setting up an online site selling sports dvds. I would attempt to create the site with a really community feel, with an active forums, newsletter subscription, sports news etc.

I'm from Australia and interestingly I can only find one site at the moment that is similar to this, http://www.sportsdelivered.com/ its a very professional site, and I would assume has a lot of web traffic. I think this is partly good news as it shows there is a demand for this type of website. Additionally sports delivered does not have a forums and community feel that I think would add value.

I have found an attractive supplier that allows me to sell these dvd's at good profit margins. My only problem is wheather or not I can get traffic to my site as there are a number of other big general dvd sites that will stock all these sports title. What do people this of this idea? I would appreciate all feedback and discussion.

Driving visitors to your site is all about web site marketing. There are a wide variety of effective strategies to achieve this. Reading around these forums will turn up several and there is much more detail around, freely available, on the web.

Opinions vary, indeed are widely divided, as to which is the "best" method. My own view is that there is no best method, only the best clutch of methods for your site. Research what type of people would enjoy what you have to offer and try to find out what is most likely to attract them. For instance, if they will only act on recommendation SEO will be a great waste of time and/or money. If, however, they will use search engines like most people will, SEO is an essential part of the strategy. Probably a silly example but it serves to illustrate what I am getting at.

The next thing is keeping them there and encouraging them to re-visit. This is where your ideas, if well implemented, have the potential to score heavily.

Thanks for the reply.

I would appreciate some feedback on the business model idea I proposed.

The idea is to create a new website selling sports dvds, and create a real community feel, emphasised by a strong and vibrant forums. I have found a good Australian supplier of sports DVDs for the site.

The difficulties will be competing against big general sports DVD websites such as ezydvd.com.au, dvdwarehouse.com.au, dvdland.com.au and the sporting specialist website sportsdelivered.com.au

I would attempt to combat these big retailers by seperating myself in creating an authentic community feel with my site that would also create the ability to draw in niche advertisers, that would be attracted to a customer base interested in sports.

I would have just a small budget for advertising and hence rely on free advertising through forums and other communities, and some for google adwords. I have not yet bought a domain.

What do people think of this idea and the difficulties associated with it? I appreciate all response and discussion, thank you.

combat these big retailers by seperating myself in creating an authentic community feel

As I said, that's your potential winner. You have to get it right and you have to get the discussions going very quickly once the site is up and running.

Don't ignore proper search engine registration. Read the Tooter site for how to. I use it for the registration, too, but that's up to you.

It's going to be hard work. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. As you mention I think my success will be dependent on getting users to subscribe to my forums and get involved. Does anyone have any particular ideas on how to create a vibrant active forums?

Plant them. Not just anybody, though. You obviously have an interest in the product, so you probably know others. Get them to come onto the site and discuss topics they are genuinely interested in.

Offer incentives to early adopters.

There's a couple to chew over for starters.

I appreciate the reply. One additional problem I have is that my supplier has a minimum order requirement of 10 units. This of course isn't all that big, however I'm not sure how I would work out which items I would stock to start up with.
Perhaps I would list all the items, without any dvds in stock initially. And only order from my supplier once the stock comes in?

I think it's a great idea!

I'm no SEO guru, but there are plenty of sites that do offer good advice. Actually Google's Webmaster area tells you all you need to know about how to rate with them. You can also check this recent thread here on TWF - SEO Future? The three videos I link to will give you an idea of what can be done.

Plus here's one more in the series - a real case study of a lady who built a great business in a competitive field from scratch - http://www.stompernet.net/julieswatek.htm

It helps to be a fan. If you can talk the talk, join every sports oriented forum you can. Use a signature where you can. Quaff a few with the guys at the sports pubs. Pass out business cards at the pubs and wherever you go.

Offer some incentives. Set up a referral program, give away a dvd for so many new referrals.

Work on a business plan. Write some articles that could be posted on sports blogs. Write a press release and send it everywhere.

The problem is going to be having to time to do it all. It's going to take some effort. But it sounds like a very workable idea. Go for it!

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Thanks for the reply Pete. What do you think of the situation I point out, in regards to a small specialist seller competing against other big general sellers (ezydvd.com.au dvdwarehouse.com.au etc.).

My theory was that a smaller specialist sellers can create a niche community feel to drive traffic and revenue. But maybe I'm wrong and these bigger general sellers will always be preferable because of there strong historical reputation. What do others think of this problem?

Can that MOQ be mixed titles, or is it 10 of each title? If it can be mixed, which they may do for a start-up to help if not forever, there's your answer. Just ask them the question.

Bear in mind, they want sales too. It is in their interests to assist anyone genuinely prepared to give it a go.