Hi all. Im going to launch a service based website similar to www.handy.com, offering home based services. However in order to launch and start aggressively marketing it, i would need a database of cleaners and helpers. Looking for customers should only happen when they are able to use the service properly. I can't launch until i can offer the service. How do i do that,? How do i get folk to sign up and work for me before revealing the website to the world?.

You buy lists of service providers and populate the database.

You then spend a bucket load of cash on marketing. And then try to work out how to make money from the website.

Thanks! So if my service providers are all individuals,  would i still be able to find them on a database for sale? Freelance cleaners and handymen. 

Also,  the Uk and Eu have become so strict with their laws. We may not send unsolicited emails without folk choosing to opt-in first.

You do what everyone else does and search google, local directories, Facebook and so on.

Building the database will take a huge effort and a lot of time. And achieve very little. Niche directories like this are notoriously difficult to market and even more difficult to monetise.

Don’t expect to see any return on your investment for many years if at all.