ConferenceVenues.biz in business with 15 conference venues thus far

This is a follow-up progress update about ConferenceVenues.biz, where am sharing my journey into developing this domain name into a recognised brand. Such a journey is a case study allowing everyone to keep track of progress, witness failures and celebrate successes that are achieved along the way.Previously through a blog post titled “ConferenceVenues.biz gets a business model” I had disclosed my chosen business model for the domain name…that of being a industry directory for conference venues.The idea was to monetise website through charging an annual listing fee per conference venue. Unfortunately the uptake was next to zero (only three properties showed interest) and I was forced to re-look at my business model.

Ultimately I’ve resolved to monetise ConferenceVenues.biz through charging a 10% referral commission for every bookings that website generates. Conference venues are listed free of charge on condition that ConferenceVenues.biz handles all incoming booking enquiries.
 Am grateful to Signature Life Hotels who have availed their conference venues to be showcased on ConferenceVenues.biz. This gives the new online booking service a head-start, which should encourage other conference venues to consider joining.

Am still open for more conference venues to join particularly those from Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape and Gauteng.

To list your conference venue(s) click http://conferencevenues.biz/add-conference-venue/

To recap every one’s memory:

1. The keyword “conference venues” attracts 1,000 exact local searches per month.
2. Competition amongst advertisers for this particular keyword is very high.
3. Cost per click is R22,45
4. Local search trends are currently high
5. Facebook
6. Twitter @businessvenues

Website stats (2 Sept – 2 Oct)

• 42 Visits
• 11 Unique Visitors
• 304 Pageviews
• 7.24 Pages/Visit
• 00:23:37 Avg. Time on Site
• 40.48% Bounce Rate
• 21.43% New Visits
• 13,400,868 Alexa rank

Am hoping to have ConferenceVenues.biz appearing on the first page of Google search results within the next three (3) months…that should be Janaury 2012. The current Google search results provide ample room for getting ConferenceVenues.biz ranking within the 5th position.

Logo Design Mockups

Before I go…below are the original logo mockups, with 5 logo options and I opted for logo 02…which design would you have chosen and why?