Lesson Learned From Zipcar in Starting a New Business By Scott Lindsay At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Summary: It is easy to latch onto an idea that already exists. You can even work at competing successfully with that idea, but the development and implementation of a fresh concept that can allow you to become a leader while other established businesses attempt to emulate your success is much harder.

Zipcar and Ecommerce Development

If you see a need and can meet it, you have yourself a potentially successful business.

Yeah, this is a standard line designed to simplify the process to its core. The truth is no matter how simple the idea the above statement is still a profound and effective maxim.

A company that started in the late 1990’s caught a vision. They’ve implemented that vision in multiple urban areas in the United States and in the UK.

Zipcar is a company that automates car rentals by the hour. As of this writing it was less than $15 an hour to utilize a Zipcar vehicle. This includes gas and insurance. For many business and personal drivers this is less expensive than a car rental and certainly less than purchasing a vehicle privately.

Company data indicates 40% of their current users have concluded they don’t actually need a privately owned vehicle when they can use this service.

Traditional car rental companies are finding this new approach is cutting into their profits. Some of these car companies are adjusting to the approach by renting their vehicles for less than a day at a time. Even Uhaul has offered a fleet of PT Cruisers with a similar service to the business commmunity.

Zipcar has been marketing their idea by forging alliances with multiple Universities and colleges to allow college bound students to access private transportation without the need for parking, permit, gas, oil changes, insurance, etc. These students simply sign up for the service and reserve the use of a Zipcar whenever they need transportation services.

The idea is referred to as car sharing and the model was adopted from Europe. The company has seen phenomenal growth since its inception.

In researching this online business with off line delivery I did find some individuals who expressed some displeasure over the service and billing practices. I bring this up to point out that this is not an article designed to sell you on the idea of car sharing.

Essentially I wanted this example to show that it is possible to find an ecommerce business idea that provides a product or service that is not currently in use and allow that idea to develop into something profound and profitable.

It is easy to latch onto an idea that already exists. You can even work at competing successfully with that idea, but the development and implementation of a fresh concept that can allow you to become a leader while other established businesses attempt to emulate your success is much harder.

Far too many businesses never reach their potential because they refuse to look outside the box for ideas. Success often comes to those who don’t look at business as it has always been, they look at business as it might someday be. These are the innovators and risk takers who realize there is more to success than being an astute follower.

By all means, see a need and meet it, but do so in a way customers may not expect and in a way that might shift the way the public thinks about the product or service you provide.

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