I like to see new local websites starting up and one of the newest is Jipaban.com, an online mall which allows sellers to open shops to their registered members.
Firstly, I have to admit that the website is tastefully-done and I'm sure the person behind this website is a good and experienced website maker.
What is wrong with this concept is that their target market is blogshop owners who mainly sell clothings. Now, we all know that blogshops usually get their supplies from a few only suppliers: some blogshops are selling the same products with just different pricings.
When an existing blogshop decides to sell at Jipaban and brings their existing clients to Jipaban, they will see other merchants/competitors. Definitely not good for business as the customers can buy from other sellers instead from them. There is no point for existing blogshops to promote their Jipaban store.
Now, Jipaban is actually relying on established blogshops to open up there so that they bring their customers to them. This is not happenning as established shops do not want to get their customers stolen (unless of course, the owner is not business-savy)
Are there really non-clothing store out there who'd like to open up at Jipaban? Unlikely as they may have already good websites that are well-customized for their customers.
I predict Jipaban won't last although I saw in a Straits Times article that the owner is aiming for a million dollar profit.
