Best Software For Groupon Style Site

[Chris.C]

I'm doing a bit of research for a friend, who is looking to setup a bit of a niche daily deals style site, but this is outside my core competencies so I thought I'd see if anyone else had some suggestions.

So they need some software that facilitates regular product changes, an e-commerce check out, email marketing, a facility that allows businesses to advertise and take orders etc

Any other general advice would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[aus11]

Was just browsing through ThemeForest and found this WordPress theme which might suit what your friend wants:

http://themeforest.net/item/dealers-daily-deals-wordpress-theme/1500611

 

[johno69]

http://www.customers.agriya.com/products/groupdeal

http://www.agriya.com/groupon-clone2

 

[zhenjie]

Magento + Aheadworks extension is a viable alternative. I'd stay clear of Agriya as getting developers to work on their software would be difficult.

 

[johno69]

I'd stay clear of Agriya as getting developers to work on their software would be difficult.

On deeper look, they seem to encrypt a lot of their source code too.

 

[Ashman]

So they need some software that facilitates regular product changes, an e-commerce check out, email marketing, a facility that allows businesses to advertise and take orders etc

I know that Drupal can do this with the integrated shopping cart module called Ubercart. Drupal also integrates with CiviCRM and will handle all your email marketing. I have set-up sites using both and they work well.

There is also a Drupal module ($60) you can get called "Pay to Publish". It allows users to pay a configurable amount via any of the supported Payment Gateways to publish content (advertising) for a configurable amount of days. The content is then automatically published once payment is received, and automatically unpublished once it expires.

I'm pretty sure there will be a Drupal module that allows 3rd party ordering too.

 

[dave]

I've never used this WordPress theme so I can't vouch for it, but it might do exactly what you need or it least get you started – http://templatic.com/app-themes/daily-deal-premium-wordpress-app-theme/

 

[Chris.C]

Thanks guys, I'll forward the recommendations on.

On a slightly different angle, what's everyone's thoughts on the profitability of these sorts of sites?

My mate is trying to start a niche style site on something that is a thin margin product, so I have some serious reservations, but I don't want to trample his dream given I know nothing about this style of online business.

 

[acheeva]

What's everyone's thoughts on the profitability of these sorts of sites?

I believe that there future is limited in isolation

However if they are used as part of a broader strategy to build the database & to create up-sell opportunities for the business client then they have merit & purpose

We have seen several examples of tradesmen & personal care businesses simply using deals to fill their books once off. That is not sustainable!

PS......The deal cost becomes a customer acquisition cost if the deals are managed correctly; thereby removing the direct relevance of margin

 

[FirstPageResults]

More negative press about the sustainability of these sites today:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/deal-a-day-sites-facing-challenge/story-e6frfq80-1226349655015

http://www.smartcompany.com.au/reta...alty-programs-to-keep-customers-on-board.html