Travel content business SimonSeeks, brainchild of TravelSupermarket founder Simon Nixon, will unveil a second phase for the site in April 2010.
The company was launched in June 2009 and attracted a fair amount of attention by virtue of the profile of its backer, but equally the site was treated with some scepticism for its payment system for writers.
The site, which combines user reviews and editorial content alongside a metasearch engine for flights and leads to other booking sites, is said to be gearing up for a new look and feel, navigation and structure.
A marketing campaign – no details available as yet – is also being plotted to support the next phase.
Nixon’s previous business famously launched a number of high profile TV advertising spots which thrust the TravelSupermarket into the mainstream travel sites in 2007.
He spent £1 million on the launch of SimonSeeks last year and around a further £100,000 every month following the launch.
A windfall of £13 million was recently handed to Nixon from his previous parent company business MoneySupermarket for which he still acts as deputy chairman.
The payment system for SimonSeeks is based on a revenue share model and has so far yielded only moderate success for some of its contributors, with the top writer securing £80 a month in February 2010. However, the highest amount paid out in January was £40.
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I’ll be watching this with great interest. If they do really go for it with big budgets it will be fascinating to see the outcome. Is deep pockets the criteria for success in this sphere above all else? I’m moderately impressed with the revenue I have earned so far from just two or three guides. If I had 100 or so on the site I reckon it would begin to look like worthwhile income. To be REALLY successful for users though they need to redesign the site and make it much more interactive and intuitive. It just feels like a big database at the moment.