Ever think to yourself, “WOW! This is definitely going to work!” only to find out that even your wife {or significant other} don’t share the same enthusiasm. Here’s my top flop ideas that are agonizingly a part of my past for the rest of my future.

I did them so you don’t have to.

Don’t Try These Ideas. Ever.

1. OneBillionDollarHomePage.com - Yes, I thought pixel advertising would last forever. I had re-entered into freelancing on the web, with writing at that time, and had some spare cash lying around. That’s when Alex decided to sell pixels for a $1 each. I was quick to register the domain and start selling pixels. I actually made a 3D flash widget that could hold 6 ads on a “3D pixel” - that was about the only novelty feature that brought in some money. I think I made like a $1000 or so. FLOP. - Wayback Archive Link

2. Advotiser.com - As if one attempt was not enough I thought to myself I could still make the concept better. I actually wanted to create a site to which not only would you be able to buy ad “spots” but you could also submit your articles in a special user submitted stories section, a la digg. I installed pligg and everything, nothing really ever happened. Never made any money. FLOP. {though the layout of the site was kickass, IMO} - Wayback Archive Link

3. TheBestBidder.com - I tried to make a site that was aimed at having a set range of products, Cafepress stuff, and have them for bidding up on eBay. The best bidder wins, simple right? Nobody ever bid. {Duh!} Then I made it into an internet directory adding all sorts of affiliate links, etc… It soon died. FLOP - Wayback Archive Link

That’s about it. I have a short internet history.

Better to wise up fast, rather than leave a trail of destruction behind. I’m glad I did do the above flops though, as they have helped me really gain a bigger perspective on the internet, and respect it as well. After all, it’s humans on the other end who are buying. We’re not selling too monkeys.

One more thing, Everybody Go To, that’s this blog right here, also almost met the deadpool. Have a look at in the Year of the Net c. 2006. I’m glad it’s not a part of the list above.

Your flops/mistakes can teach you a lot about the world around you in general. If you cannot learn from your mistakes then you’ll just end up tripping over the same stone twice.

About the author

Hyder has been blogging for the past two years on this blog. He started Weborithm, his web company, in 2007 and along with designing blogs and websites also releases various web related products.