loaf.co.uk finally launched!

netpreference · Dec 20, 2008

www.loaf.co.uk

All feedback most welcome, we have been developing this for some time and had to wait for the technology to catch up! Everything is done inhouse including all the billing mechanisms so being so close to a project can sometimes make you miss things...

Initial response from the public is very encouraging.....

retired_member16 · Dec 20, 2008

Ive not logged into the site as I dont want to wave my mobile number around willy nilly but it looks a little fiddly and im not sure if I know anyone that would want to use it.

I cant really see the benefits to be honest and it looks as if you are trying to create something thats not really needed.

The site itself needs a complete overhaul too. It doesnt catch the eye and the front page should shout exactly who you are and what you do.

ScottJ · Dec 20, 2008

I think you need the 'What is loaf ' info on the homepage, not something people should have to click through to on such a new service.

The idea seem ok but with people being able to send emails using their phones nowadays I don't see it as being as valuable today as it may have been a year or two ago, you could give an email address and block someone rather than give out mobile phone numbers.

netpreference · Dec 20, 2008

Appreciate the comments but I think you might be missing the point a little with regard to a market.... there are over 1 billion (yes 1 billion) text messages sent in the UK EVERY DAY.

Loaf allows you to have a name and not a number, to text someone directly but safely. The market we are in, adult, is a prime example of a use for Loaf. Putting a 'Loaf Name' on your dating profile instead of a mobile number is a lot safer.... and discreet.

Taking onboard the design comments too... all constructive criticism is good

ScottJ · Dec 20, 2008

Certainly with regards personal's/adult market yes I can see why having an alias that's protected would be a good move. In which case any text messages sent to a loaf a/c should be able to be forwarded to an email account.

netpreference · Dec 20, 2008

ScottJ said:
Certainly with regards personal's/adult market yes I can see why having an alias that's protected would be a good move. In which case any text messages sent to a loaf a/c should be able to be forwarded to an email account.

So you reckon a feature to choose between delivering to mobile or email?

bb99 · Dec 20, 2008

netpreference said:
So you reckon a feature to choose between delivering to mobile or email?

I'd allow both

netpreference · Dec 20, 2008

bb99 said:
I'd allow both

A pretty simple thing to implement... I'll wave it infront of the team

diablo · Dec 20, 2008

Costs could be made clearer. Is it a free service? I know it says sign up for a free account, but is there a cost per message sent?

As Scott says, a one line explanation of what Loaf is on the homepage is a must.

Great idea though - superb use of the domain name!

DomainAngel · Dec 20, 2008

Its a great idea, proven in the adult sector as you well know, but how do you crossover into the general market, are people really going to put the costs 25 per message disclaimer everytime? I notice there are a few missing on your website, or have icstis changed their rules?

Say for instance I see an ad, and respond to someones loaf name, do they get my mobile number? Or do you have to join first?

I have used IVR systems in the past on some dating sites, I reckon this would work much better, and seeing as every member would get a loaf name there would be 100% anonymous messaging, perfect.

You should phone a few people up pretending to be a journalist, top met officers, policy makers, tell them upsides and get them to say how much they agree, and how useful it would be, then simply quote them in a blizzard of press releases.

Publicity, cheaper than advertising and twice as powerful lol

terryhenry · Dec 20, 2008

I really like it. I think eyelevelmedia would be a good offline marketing tactic ie, those ads you read when you're taking a leak in the pub.
I agree with the earlier post, the 'what is loaf' bit should really smack you between the eyes, it took me 10-20 seconds to find it but was prepared to commit that time as part of this appraisal but if I was a potential customer you may have lost me.
I think the site looks great, google'ish.
Good luck with it.
Regards,
Terry

netpreference · Dec 21, 2008

DomainAngel said:
Its a great idea, proven in the adult sector as you well know, but how do you crossover into the general market, are people really going to put the costs 25 per message disclaimer everytime? I notice there are a few missing on your website, or have icstis changed their rules?

Say for instance I see an ad, and respond to someones loaf name, do they get my mobile number? Or do you have to join first?

I have used IVR systems in the past on some dating sites, I reckon this would work much better, and seeing as every member would get a loaf name there would be 100% anonymous messaging, perfect.

You should phone a few people up pretending to be a journalist, top met officers, policy makers, tell them upsides and get them to say how much they agree, and how useful it would be, then simply quote them in a blizzard of press releases.

Publicity, cheaper than advertising and twice as powerful lol

Some very good points there, appreciate them.... we debated for a long time if people could text if not a member and decided against it so if you try and 'loaf' someone and you are not signed up, you will receive a text back informing you that you need to join. Mobile numbers are NEVER sent in any circumstances.....

aZooZa · Dec 21, 2008

Great idea, however I think you have to make it clear what the cost is. Also, there are quite a few grammatical errors and typos on the site.

Good luck to you!

doodlebug · Dec 21, 2008

1st of all definitely make it clear on your homepage what LOAF is all about ? when a web user lands on your homepage you have 5 seconds to convince them to stay !

If i wasn't an AD member looking at your site out of curiosity then i would have landed on your homepage and left never knowing or caring what LOAF is.

This is definitely for the adult market, dogging,affairs,contact deails for singles and couples clubs, escorts e.t.c ( is LOAF name PIMP available ? ) lol

Can't see much use for businesses though, i know i wouldn't dare expect my customers to pay 25p per message. what about reverse billing maybe ?
still cost a bit though, or a completely free LOAF service option with sponsors in the text ?

What about this for the adult section '' LOAF - get a slice of the action '' :-D
Or '' Don't get caught - use your LOAF ''

woopwoop · Dec 21, 2008

I don't like pooing on people's ideas but I don't like it.

This reminds me of 2 things:
1. The dating service that Jame's Hewitt tried starting, and that I just found it impossible to find the name of it in Google - that's how successful that was. But the idea was that you give people a card with your id and they can contact you without knowing your real details
2. Gonumber.com
Gonumber.com still has a site there (not sure if they make any money), but the idea was that everyone in the world has a number. You gave people your number and they could find all your details through the gonumber website. I remember being at an it event and this guy trying to convince me to sign up for a gonumber. I was actually working at the event and the guy was a visitor.

These ideas are maybe a bit different than loaf, but they are in the same box. I think a few years ago it would have had more chance. Nowadays, I doubt it. Because I would feel weird giving someone a number that basically says, 'I don't trust you'.

So there probably is a good market for drug dealers, prostitutes and doggers. Most of this market probably use PAYG phones.

The switch to application like facebook that say 'I don't value my privacy or information' is another shift that I'm baffled by - but last I heard they are doing ok - what do I know?

I'm sure the technology behind the idea is great though. Short codes, api's, sms gateways. And there may be other applications for it's use. But another hurdle for the idea is that people need to not just remember the loaf name but also the loaf number. So the market that would give out a loaf name to a person in a bar would also have to give out the loaf sms number.

One angle that James Hewitt pushed with his dating website was that you give out a card with your anonymous number and if you didn't want to have any contact with that person again then you throw that number away and sign up for another one. I don't really think this ideas a great one, but if you wanted to push this to the adult market then you could push this idea on your site and through marketing. That the loaf name is disposable.

SMS hasn't evolved as much as it should have in my opinion. There's still room for it long term alongside email but at the moment many of it's uses are for dodgy competitions, ringtone subscriptions or dating. Your idea about using it in ebay ads etc was a good one - but costs would have to be displayed each time.

And classifieds like Gumtree have ways of anonymizing your contact details with their email system.

Depending on if you have a good deal with the company giving you the sms number - this can also be a big cost because you almost have a dedicated number and you're allowing to create their own shortcodes that are their usernames right?

Sorry I've rambled to much

Jarrod · Dec 21, 2008

I haven't tested the system but the concept looks great. I'm sure if you've got a decent enough marketing plan and budget it will be a success.

Feedback...

Like a few others have suggested, I would certainly put the image from Get your FREE Loaf name! on the homepage or something similar that explains the LOAF service a bit clearer.

Also, I was wondering if the LOAF names are case sesitive? If they are, I see this potentially being a problem (if the site grew large enough). The examples you use like QikshopUK could easily lose valuable sales, enquires, complaints etc to qikshopuk and the varies other combinations. You could create a new breed of squatters, "the crumb catchers"! And therfore some kind of DRS procedure may be needed :shock:

Best of luck with it!

name-king · Dec 21, 2008

loaf.co.uk

a very nice concept, congrats on the idea.

how much does it cost to text this 88845 number?

Feedback:
Need some more info about your service on the website, totally agree with Jarrod.

Maybe include the cost of texting this 88845 number. I personally wouldn't pay anything over 10p for each text I send and I think others may agree with that.

Also website is fantastic, the theme layout etc. however I'm not too convinced your your name "LOAF". Does "LOAF" stand for anything?
Reminds me too much of Kingsmill and their little boy advert during war.