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- Irieman (0%)
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ReallyCoolEmail.com - $7,000 in Annual Revenue
Automatically Creates Custom HTML Email Templates for Realtors
- URL: http://www.ReallyCoolEmail.com/
- Established: Sat, 24 May 2003 14:00:00 GMT
- Monthly Revenue: 580
- Listed: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:19:08 GMT
Description:
This site automates the creation and sale of custom-designed HTML email templates. Realtors then download the templates, and install them in Outlook or Outlook Express.
The site is VIRAL in nature, because every template it creates contains a link back to the site. So every email our template users send contains this link, driving traffic to the site as email recipients create new templates of their own.
In 2003, I hired a local programming house to create the 2nd version of this website. That's what you see now if you follow the URL. This interactive agency designs, produces and maintains online solutions for top-notch national brands. Their client list includes Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, TGI Fridays, Toni & Guy, and Williams Sonoma. They even produced a 3-D video sequence for NBC'S Law & Order SVU.
ReallyCoolEmail.com has a bright, cheerful, retro look-and-feel, which is a direct contrast to the heavy, fact-laden websites real estate agents visit on a daily basis. We also included a graphic of a person at each stage of the process, meant to “humanize” the experience for the customer, and to give them the subtle impression that they weren't “alone” while stepping through the process of creating their custom email template.
The programmers tell me that since the programming was done in 2003, it's become a bit “creaky” with age, and could use a thorough update. And these templates were designed before the newest version of Outlook for Vista, so whoever buys the site would probably want to update the templates for that. But of course the overwhelming, vast majority of Outlook and Outlook Express installations are not for Vista.
The one thing not offered for sale with the site is my personal toll-free number, which is listed only once on the site, and in a very inconspicuous way.
Tech support has been rather minimal over the years. Occasionally someone buys a template not realizing that it's an add-on for Outlook or OE. Occasionally someone wants to update their template, and so far, I've just emailed a Gift Certificate for that.
I don't do the “moola” referral program any more, so you can decide its fate.
I am not a programmer, and have no hosting resources of my own. For that reason, it seems clear to me that this site is a great fit for someone with strong programming skills, and the ability to host the site and the completed templates within their existing infrastructure.
I am personally moving in a very different direction with my life, creating a new kind of B2B staffing agency, (www.TheVolunteerWorkforce.com) and would like this website to find a “good home” where it will be tended to properly. I always believed it could be radically expanded, especially because of the viral nature of the website/product which we built in from the very beginning. Offering custom HTML email templates, particularly to a tight-knit affinity group, always made sense to me. And this experiment proved my hunch -- that even without advertising, when members of a group use a viral product as it was meant to be used (in this case, simply emailing each other) revenue would be generated almost automatically.
I have requested traffic statistics from the programmers, and will add them here as soon as possible.
The annual revenue information below was supplied by the programmers and by Authorize.net/Wells Fargo. Paper versions of the Authorize.net reports for 2006, 2007 and 2008 are available by fax.
YEAR GROSS REVENUE
2003 $ 700.00
2004 $5,950.00
2005 $7,995.00
2006 $6,978.00
2007 $7,503.00
It would certainly be possible to expand the site by creating more templates for additional companies, and/or offering other digital products, thus broadening the depth and reach of the site. Currently the site automatically produces custom templates for agents from two companies. Over the years, I've referred countless people not associated with those two companies to another site (www.StationeryCentral.com) which creates completely custom templates. This would be an obvious area to expand the service, and a perfect fit for someone with design/programming/hosting resources.
Overall, creating and operating the website has been an enjoyable experience.
It's been my "baby" for a few years now, and I'd really like to see it find a great home with someone who can grow it from "adolescence" into a thriving, highly-profitable "adulthood."
Revenue Details:
Currently the site charges a one-time fee of $35 per template. Of course, various other options and up-sell opportunities are possible.
Traffic Details:
Every template includes a link at the bottom back to the site, so every email our users send contains this viral link. All visitors are real estate agents, currently for two companies, RE/MAX and KW.
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2006 Gross Revenue
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2007 Gross Revenue
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2008 Partial Revenue
What are the server requirements to run this site?