CustomerService.com...we need your help

[WhiteFang]

We own generic domain name CustomerService.com and we want to turn it from a parked name into a developed site.
We're asking for your suggestions on the best overall strategy and specific tactics to monetize a generic name like this on a long-term basis.
Should it be a lead aggregation site, should we use AdSense, or what do you think would be the best approach?
What would you do if you owned this domain name?
Thanks. White Fang

[sdsinc]

I do not know how adsense will help with a great domain like that. I see two possibilities:
IMO... develop a good support script and turn the domain into external helpdesk for website owners.
Or find a call center with deep pockets

[ksinclair]

I would make it a vBulletin forum, and let people help each other when companies wont. A lot of companies suck at support. For example, I have a nice pair of Logitech digital headphones, and when Vista came out, Logitech had no driver. They said, buy new headphones. But some users found that the XP driver would work, if you installed it following certain directions. That kind of sitautions is ideal for a forum. Big companies like Google could have their own section, and smaller ones can be grouped in market categories. You can have a section for discussing drivers, that is always a headache thanks to Microsofts greed to impose a new OS every few years.

Once you get going you can have a service you market to companies to have a forum-based support dedicated to them. It could be accessed as TheirCompany/support.html and also as TheirCompany.CustomerSupport.com, and they supply the moderator; they are paying you, so you let them control it. So they dont have to mess with setting up and maintaining vBulletin; you provide a quick and dependable service, and it grows you at the same time.

You have a very excellent domain name. Definitely develop it, its a shame to have good domains like yours on pay per click.

Kevin

[draggar]

I'd agree with a forum. I would recommend SMF for this, easy management of Adsense codes *and* already built in RSS support (that is if your budget is very low, SMF is free).

But, some paid forums would be better if you had the funds for it (VBulliten, for example).

Even companies that go under. I once got laid off (along with the rest of the support staff) so several of us hopped onto a "ProductSucks.com" site and started our own support group. Tons of good potential, I'm sure the domain has great type in traffic.

[jdk]

Originally Posted by draggar

I'd agree with a forum. I would recommend SMF for this, easy management of Adsense codes *and* already built in RSS support (that is if your budget is very low, SMF is free).

But, some paid forums would be better if you had the funds for it (VBulliten, for example).

Even companies that go under. I once got laid off (along with the rest of the support staff) so several of us hopped onto a "ProductSucks.com" site and started our own support group. Tons of good potential, I'm sure the domain has great type in traffic.

I'm sure with a name like that, they have the $160 or whatever it costs for vBulletin

[WhiteFang]

Thanks very much for taking the time to give us some VERY

[synapse]

contact RightNow.com or Live Person for a $XX,XXX retail sale

[myst woman]

Free consulting, nice.

[DNCredit.com]

Agree with Kevin. Looks like your (keyword) competition is heading down the consulting, training, certification and publications path. Perhaps a whitepaper site where you charge for submissions - customer service consulting is a fragmented industry with many solutions providers. These might be willing customers who wish to use the web to stand out from the rest of their competitors in the sector. (like Gantthead.com does for Project Management)

Best of luck with your project and congrats on an excellent domain.

Originally Posted by ksinclair

You have a very excellent domain name. Definitely develop it, its a shame to have good domains like yours on pay per click.

[DropWizard.com]

Funny my wife and I have had a lot of discussion about this subject of late. Mainly because of the growing idiocy of the support many companies provide.

My wife has become the "letter writer" sending problems in via mail. Not so easy when you discover that many of them are eager to sell you something but then try to find a support street address, phone number or website (I'm not kidding). A forum and developing resources such as company physical info, especially for the more problematic ones would be great.

Here's a recent experiences:

1/ My wife is "long legged" and ordinary pantyhose is just too short. She often ends up with the crotch a couple of inches below where it should be.

Sends a letter describing the problem and asks if they have a better product for the problem.. Response: Here's a certificate for a new set of pantyhose absolutely "NO" response to the actual problem.

2/ Mop handle breaks and also new replacement sponge heads they supply don't fit.

Response: $20 manufacturer coupon to buy a new mop and replacement heads that still don't fit. And yes they do acknowledge there is a problem with the replacement heads fitting BUT they've done nothing about the original problem. And the mop is at least 2-3 years old.

3/ Sirius radio sends out a renewal promotion for their satellite radio in her car. There is a promo code which she phones in and the operator tells her it's not valid. It's only 11 digits and they need 12. They go around the subject several times and the operator can't help her. She hangs up in frustration. Later we discover that a sticker that was placed on the promo card covered the first digit. The first digit was a "0". Turns out ALL the promo codes started with a "0". How many calls did that operator take and still couldn't figure out she just needed to add a "0" to get the order. Result we no longer have sirius in our car....

A common place to rant. Resources to contact. Sell memberships to the companies being talked about and pursuade them to have a representative in the site at intervals to deal with problems. And if they won't buy a membership use adsense or advertising to put their competition on the rant page. (assuming they're not just as bad)

[adityas]

I would also build either a forum, or immediately start looking for programmers to help build me a custom script, but similkar to the one on liverperson etc.
Selling it would makes sense too.

Best of luck!