Haystack is a brilliant idea, with a revenue model too!
Posted by Carlos Pero | Filed under 37signals
This week Jason Fried and the 37signals team debuted Haystack, a new Web site that lets companies visually search for designers in their price range and desired location. The site initially debuted without browsing and filtering features, meaning it was a "pre-launch" phase where designers could submit their information, and when the site reached around 1,000 members the browsing would be enabled. That happened later that day, faster than Jason anticipated.
First of all, the idea is remarkable. Of all the places you can go and try to find a designer, why not start a new one? It would be highly visual by letting you glance over snapshots of their work easily...take a look at the designers in Chicago between $3,000 and $10,000. As you scroll down more appear. Even the URL http://haystack.com/chicago/3000-to-10000 is beautiful and RESTful, encouraging linking.
Second, there is a clear way to generate revenue. Jason is a designer, and this product helps real people and real companies connect, and that is worth some money. Imagine there are 50 other designers in your city and in your price range, how do you stand out? You spend a little money ...