Hey Rodinhooders,
Let me introduce you to HomeChow. It is a platform for Foodies to find home cooked food around them.
Inspiration
Working in corporate India I have heard many complaining about dearth of Home cooked food and snacks. Many North Indians complain of not getting the right kind of Roti or mathri in southern parts of India while I have heard many south Indians complaining about lack of good sambhar or murukku in Delhi.
On the other hand I have met many awesome cooks who are ready to start their own business but face the question of how to sell. One of those is my MIL who cooks awesome north Indian fare but is not the selling type.
Hoe does this work?
I am still in the developing phase so the points below might change.
1. Foodies/Buyers sign up for free and can search the portal for food providers in their vicinity. Buyer signup is automated.
2. Sellers pay a fee for signup and are enlisted only if their listings are approved. Each seller is provided a shopfront which includes menu, quantity, pricing and ordering process.
3. For the first version order and cash process will be kept off site.
4. Buyer reviews are enabled so that seller reputation can be supported.
How Do I make money?
Currently I am looking at monthly subscription fees from the sellers to fund the project. I am not interested in opening advertisements yet.
I am thinking of advertising to sellers only which may include supplies equipment and delivery services.
I am currently validating my idea and any comments, suggestions and signups from the community are welcome.
Here’s the link
Thanks Again,
Parul
EDITED TO ADD
Considering all the suggestions here I have devised a membership structure and would like to get your opinion on this as a seller and as a buyer.
Buyers
Free Membership
pay for home delivery as applicable
Can avail pickup for free
Review the business
Gain points by ordering through site for a chance to redeem these for future orders.(1 point=1Rs / 2 point/100Rs spent)
5 Recurring orders
Upgraded earned free membership
Membership earned after publishing 25 authentic reviews following orders.
All feature same as free members except
(1 point=1Rs / 5 point/100Rs spent)
Premium buyer membership (300-500 per month)
Free unlimited local delivery (outstation deliveries as per actual. All deliveries as supported by the seller membership)
30 recurring orders
Free Pickup
Review the business
Gain points by ordering through site for a chance to redeem these for future orders.(1 point=1Rs / 10 point/100Rs spent)
Access to Seller contact information
Sellers
Each seller no matter what is the membership status gets a shop with varying levels of customization. Basic shopfront will contain
1. a header image with shop name
2. Introductory video for the shop (optional though highly recommended)
3. Menu/catalog of the products being sold (Random for free memberships while paid members can choose feature products)
No upfront membership fee charged from sellers. The site makes money only if they do.
Free Membership
Upto 10 product listings with 1 image each
No delivery support but Local delivery agency contacts provided
Level 1 paid membership
Customization options for the shop
Upto 25 products with 3 images each
Delivery support
10% commission on orders
Access to Sellers only offers and advertisements from equipment and raw material suppliers.
Level 2 Earned membership
All features same as Level 1
Membership earned after a turnover of 15000 achieved continuously for 2 months.
Reduced commission of 7%
Featured Members
Hand picked sellers who get all previous benefits but have to part with only 5% of income through Homechow.
They should be able to show around 20,000 in revenue for two consecutive months.
Reviews can be written only after a buyer places an order with the seller. this way we can limit spams (I Hope). Plus by the time a buyer starts getting higher returns for her/his investment we would have had at least 25 orders placed by the buyer.
Let me know
- If you as a buyer or seller will opt in?
- If yes what membership level will you choose?