Unusual Ideas that Worked - The Million Dollar Home Page

by Startacus Admin

Buying pixels might not seem so revolutionary now, but back in 2005, Alex Tew a student from Wiltshire started a website called Million Dollar HomePage which within 5 months have netted Alex, a rather cool....1 Million Dollars. Alex had decided in 2005 that he wanted to go to University, but he was keen to avoid the post graduation financial burden that comes with study.

It is reported that Alex paid around $50 for the website set up, but in selling 10x10 pixel spaces for $100 a pop, Alex hoped that at least some people would help contribute to his student funds.

The story quickly went viral and Alex featured on major and Global News channels and newspapers, and by New Years Eve 2005, the site was reportedly getting around 250,000 visitors every hour!

Now whether Alex, when he started, fully realised the sites unique selling point to pixel buyers is unclear. But Alex had stumbled upon a great idea, and as soon as the story went viral, major retailers and online sites saw the potential to buy the pixel and link space, and be seen (and potentially clicked upon) by millions of people a week.

There have been hundreds of imitation sites since, but The Million Dollar HomePage, remains the creme de la creme of pixel space sales! Check out Buy My Face, a recent and successful adaptation of Alex’s idea. So we say, arise Sir Alex Tew, the pixel space sales innovator!

• #invention
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Published on: 3rd August 2012