I created a content marketplace
A while back ago, I created a platform where website owners could buy content. like putting a quarter in a candy machine. I named it "ContentRound"
How it works is: you sign up, login to the dashboard. Give instructions on how you want your content written. Pay for the content. Wait a couple hours while me or one of my partners finish the research and write process... et' voila! content delivered right in your dashboard.
Then you take this content and post it on your website, re-purpose it for a video or a podcast. My idea was: "Content Is King" let's make it easy.
Unfortunately, it never took off :C
Either because I suck at marketing my products, or there are things Im missing. Now since I hardly ever give up. I'm planning some new exciting features. Features like the concept of "Content As A Service". But before dropping a single line of code I wanted to reach the indie hackers community.
Everyone I talk to in this community seems very nice. I was hoping that if you read this, maybe could pay a visit to the site, sign up and explore. Im not asking for you to buy anything, just tell me what do you think?
I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism. Give me advice on how can I make it take off, look better, improve the UX, etc...
Thanks a lot folks!
Hi Ricardo,
The concept of ContentRound seems pretty interesting. I think it could transform into a good product overall.
I'm Junaid Ansari, co-founder at draftss.com which an unlimited graphic design service. Here are some of my thoughts on the appearance of the website:
The size of the logo on the website should be slightly increased
The grey background should be changed to white instead
The text of 'sign in' should be changed to 'sign up'
The empty space below the header image and 'List your article request' should be reduced
The size of 'get unique quality content' should be slightly increased
The 'Purchase content now' button should be vertically center aligned to the blue box
The other 'Purchase now' hyperlink can be removed
All the icons should be of same size
The size of all icons should increase (Unique content, fast turn around, seo ready, easy to use)
The logo in to footer must be altered
The title on the pricing page can be changed from 'Pricing' to 'Pricing per word" and center aligned to the page
The sub-title on the pricing should be removed
The pricing page should have distinctive features or sample write-ups for each category
Integrate live chat on the website
If you ever revise the changes and are looking for more detailed feedback you can reach me at jd@draftss.com
Thanks for your valuable suggestions, I will work on it and reach out to you. :)
Hi Ricardo!
I think there is nothing wrong with the idea, I think it's great! But I think the main factor that I wouldn't sign up for the service is that there is no portfolio or cases section.
In short, I want to read a couple of those "high quality and custom" content pieces.
So create a page where you place some of your best posts in different categories. Maybe even create a link in each category tab, like;
"Engage readers with a press release"
View some examples here
I do think your site can benefit from a new design, but right now the only thing stopping me from signing up is not being able to read any material that will let me think "Holy shit these people know how to write a great article".
Also some other minor things;
I think you mean "sign up" instead of "sign in".
The price table tiers seem all the same, if I look at ELITE + writers I still read "basic quality writers" as a perk. Write some different perks or make it obvious that you are only getting more experienced and talented writers.
Yes, everything can be a little bit more exciting visually. But for me, it's currently sufficient enough to make me curious about some material.
Hope any of this helps! Looking forward to seeing the examples on the site.
If you need anything, let me know 🤘
This is something that was actually on my roadmap! except that I don't have any clients yet. So I will make my partners write some pieces in public spaces like medium or hubpages. And build that demo page. Great idea! will let you know so you can take a look.
Thanks.
"So I will make my partners write some pieces in public spaces like medium or hubpages"
Great idea, looking forward to it!
Wow! lots of nice feedback here!
Thanks guys I will work through the weekend.
Many businesses are looking for content writers, so I think this idea has potential.
Instead of having them come to your site, have you considered going to them directly?
Maybe I am naive, but I don't even think you need a website with "features" to get this idea off the ground and start making $.
Just start finding customers on Upwork et al., pitch them via chat messaging, and deliver on it. You will probably also learn way more about your market this way.
I get your point, in fact I've done this that way. The problem is that in marketplaces like upwork, the competition is fierce! and sometimes you need to lower your price a lot in order to get gigs. Building a reputation as a content agency is, I think, a good solution for this.
There is more to content as just words.
@JeroenvanGils and me run fullservice.co, and a lot of the time our team spends with clients is spent doing things which are not necessarily the creation of the content itself.
Also, where did you market this website?
I know there is more than content :)
but content is still something that needs to be sorted out, the idea is to focus on a single problem.
I marketed this with google adWords, and A LOT of "solo ads"... got 48 sign ups, but no sales (in part because I got dragged out of this by work and didn't had time to follow up with leads).