The first thing I can point is the design. Seriously, it's as cheap as $15. Get a nice design. You even get the PSD files with it to customize the tiny detail.
I tried to register using "Connect with Facebook" but got this error message "An error occurred with sometimesyouforget. Please try again later."<p>Normal Registration - Did not receive account activation email. Can't Login.<p>Also there is no purpose of username in the registration when login is through email.
Sounds interesting. I was thinking about something similar for my current location and biggest social network. Execution matters more, of course.
Once you fix the design (seriously) some tips.
- Offer the converse: gift suggestions for your friends, on a mail.
- Offer birthday reminders.
- Try to understand the level of connection between a two peoples, so you can experiment with gift pricing.
- On the other side, offer retailers a deal for a cut of their profit.<p>Good luck. Execute fast. This is now public :)
This is a Rails app, correct? I think using a nice template would make this a magnitude more attractive. My suggestion is to be more clear with the value. Put "Share your gift list" in big, bold font at top, or something like that. I shouldn't have to read a paragraph, or click through some steps to figure out what the website is. I should <i>want</i> to do that after salivating from your main point.
I would focus on trying to figure out a way to translate all of those "Happy B-Day" posts on facebook into people giving $1 towards a gift and making that process as seamless as possible. Then I'd call it something like GiftMePlease.com. That's exciting, translating all of those comments into $$$.