Have you done research in this area to see that no one else offers this service? Would think that it would be a good idea to start there first.

Maybe you should establish some connections with the people that you've already worked with and see whether there is a potential market and whether you can start out there.
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(Accounting Help)
www.accounting-help.co.uk

Hi MaraM

Interesting idea, what about a website? It's low risk, you don't need to give up your day job, you could work on it in the evenings and weekends,

It could have;

Blog - for advice, interesting articles, recommended books, etc

Forum - where people can signup and ask any questions they have and discuss any issues or concerns they may have

Directory - where suppliers of baby goods can advertise their business for a monthly fee (bitsythis.com charge businesses £5 per month to appear on their directory listing)

Advertising - if you can attract enough 'traffic' (folk visiting website), it is likely you might attract retailers like mothercare, mamas and papas, adams, asda, m&s to advertise on your site for a fee

iplayer - you may consider showing short demonstrations and then putting them on youtube (bylaurenluke.com started her cosmetics business by showing demonstrations of how to apply makeup on clips on youtube, it increased her profile and people were visiting her website and buying her products after they saw her on youtube)

Other thoughts

Can you build a pool of knowledgable and experienced professionals in childcare, health, nutrition, education, etc who can be regular contributors to your blog and help with discussions on the forum?

Facebook page? - to increase profile and link to website

Costs to consider

Good, attractive, easy to use website with short, catchy, easy to remember name (research - look at lots of websites, not just ones in your market)

Marketing skills and expertise to get up the google search lists and give site the best chance to reach the people you are aiming for and also attract major advertisers

Register trademark - if you have a great name, why not protect it? If your website is successful, one day a company might offer you silly money to buy the site and the name

Income streams

1. Subscriptions for listing in directory
2. Advertising on website
3. Sell your own range of baby goods on site

Hope some of the above has been food for thought.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Gordon
www.astonaccounting.co.uk

As a mum of a two year old I do remember it was a bit stressful getting everything!

What about a pre-packed hospital bag (as a gift) with everything you might need at the hospital, slippers, nappy's, creams, maternity pads etc!

I have worked with a number of people starting up baby product or service businesses and I would say your idea certainly has potential.

If you need any help with the website design and development side of things then please do get in touch.

Helen
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Wild Purple Design
Bespoke Website Design
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