NeighborRing.org has been around for at least 3 years for social networking among local communities, and is I think the first to offer an intermediary for P2P item loans, among other things.. before that they were around as handypals...
Joe
· 2 years ago
The key is to find a niche within the niche. villageloop community websites focus on lifestyle and assisting the clubhouse and recreation directors. While it does support HOA community and Association functions what sets villageloop apart are the tools for assisting the activities coordinator or club managers. (www.villageloop.com) There are quite a few direct competitors in this particular niche market. But the reality is that you are actually competing against much bigger players, such as yahoo groups for example and then all of the individual web designers who either live in or around the community and will maintain the sites for little or no money. Facebook already has some local community building apps but you would have to be quite desperate to base your business model on eyeballs and not dollar figures. I would be curious to know how many "active" facebook users are homeowners, or live in a structured community (homeowners association, condo, etc...)
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There are quite a few direct competitors in this particular niche market. But the reality is that you are actually competing against much bigger players, such as yahoo groups for example and then all of the individual web designers who either live in or around the community and will maintain the sites for little or no money.
Facebook already has some local community building apps but you would have to be quite desperate to base your business model on eyeballs and not dollar figures.
I would be curious to know how many "active" facebook users are homeowners, or live in a structured community (homeowners association, condo, etc...)