More markets…

Last time, I talked about the challenge of conversions on Lopico, but there are other challenges as well. Recently, I revealed the top 25 most voted for businesses on Lopico; something I hope to repeat on a quarterly basis. The Top 25 represent perhaps the biggest challenge to Lopico - concentration. Of the Top 25, the majority are businesses that are in Akron or have a presence in Akron. So, I was able to get a strong amount of input in Akron, but I need to be outside the Akron market too. It’s a good list and a good start - but three years into Lopico I need to be doing more in more places.

The easiest way for me to get rid of this problem is with advertising. I rely (most of the time) exclusively on organic results. When I advertise, I see growth in the markets I advertise in. This is easy enough, but unless the money spent to advertise leads to quality conversions, I’d rather not spend the money. I am sort of at the point of “grow or die” with Lopico - and to grow it’s going to take a larger time and monetary investment that I can provide right now.

There is something to be said for concentrating growth, then expanding, but I don’t know that Akron is exactly the market that can fuel the sort of growth needed to expand to other areas. It hasn’t been thus far.

How would you guide Lopico into new markets?