In November of 2008 a company called Groupon launched its now famous daily deal site, changing the way most of us think about internet commerce. The concept of daily deals has since taken the world by storm with hundreds of similar ideas popping up around the web. With the increase in the popularity of the daily deal site, a new challenge arose for start-ups, how can they set themselves apart from other similar models? People have tried  everything from multi-level marketing based models, to “hyperlocal” models that focus on a specific neighborhood or micro geographical area. This week in the FROGBLOG I wanted to share with you about two of these business’s operating in our service areas that are finding creative and inspiring ways to stand out in the crowd (in a good way of course).

 

Currently operating in the Seattle area Ideal Network, launched February of 2011, offers something unique amongst daily deal sites:

Ideal Network combines the trends of group buying (e.g. Groupon), crowd funding (causes.com) and cause marketing to create a new way of buying and giving that provides value to consumers, causes and merchants. The daily deal platform offers its members discounts on products and services in the Seattle area, with a significant portion of the sale directly benefiting small, measurable and goal-oriented campaigns led by local non-profits and schools. – Ideal Network Press Release

Ideal Network’s goal is to make daily deals meaningful. When you purchase one of their daily deals 25% of the purchase automatically becomes a contribution to the members (customers) nonprofit of choice to fund a specific community project. With more then $13,000 given to 18 different organizations (and growing) Ideal Network is setting a new standard and pushing the envelope of innovation in social enterprise.

 

ethicalDeal (www.ethicalDeal.com)

(Full disclusure, FrogBox recently offered a week-long deal with ethicalDeal for residents of Toronto and Vancouver who were looking to find an alternative to cardboard moving boxes)

Currently offering deals in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, and Toronto with plans to expand to several more cities throughout North America. ethicalDeal is on a mission to make green mainstream by offering daily deals from local green companies at 50%-90% off. When a business is featured on ethicalDeal, they help generate some excitement by creating an “advertorial” (Editorial + Advertisement = advertorial) with a creative tone that accurately reflects the companies mission and purpose while still being light hearted and fun. ethicalDeal also offers some great perks to repeat customers including their ethicalDollars program where subscribers who refer a friend will receive a $5 credit on their own account when the referred friend purchases an ethicalDeal. Besides their daily deals in Vancouver and Victoria, ethicalDeal offers week-long online deals in Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton and has plans to begin offering a daily deal in Toronto Spring of 2011.

 

By using these great recources you can find great deals and still maintain a commitment to environmental, and social responsibility. Now your chalenge is to get out there and see the best that your city has to offer! Have you purchased a deal from either of these sites? Tell us about your experience in the comments and let us know how it went.