The popularity of the 10 awesome student blogs article showed us that there is clearly an appetite among our readers for supporting the talent emerging from our great academic institutions. With this in mind, and after being totally inspired by “The Social Network” (no we haven’t watched it three times – that’s a lie!), we decided to create a regular blog post to review ecommerce and Web-based business initiatives being undertaken by bright students and graduates from the UK.

Our aims are twofold: Firstly, to provide students with an outlet for showcasing their talents, and secondly to unearth a potential UK Facebook, craigslist, YouTube or whatever. Cos’ let’s face it; the UK is pretty lacklustre in the Web business space (notable exception – Last.fm). So where better to start than a student portal?

Younilife – The Student Portal

In their own words…
As students from the South-West we decided one day that it is about time we gave the grades on Universities. And we want you to rate them. Get a chance to show what your University is really like and have your say. Help prospective students decide which University is good for them by telling us what you really think of yours. We hope this website will be useful to all you students in the U.K and give you the opportunity to voice your opinions.

We know that there is so much talent among students, and we understand that it is difficult for you to show off your skills, so, we have added student music and student websites feature. This provides free advertising and promotional features, so use it and get your work out there!

We want to become one of the top 10 student websites in the United Kingdom – the Yahoo of Student Websites – without the Search Engine.

Who’s behind it?
The founder was Hagen Christoph. Hagen set up the site whilst studying for a Masters in Brand Development at Bath Spa University, as he felt there was a need for a website that allows students (from across the UK) to express their experience of University life – the Good and the bad.

Interesting fact…
They recently started a campaign to find the most attractive students in the UK.

Why we like it
Despite the lure and voyeuristic fun that can be had from continuously clicking through seriously good-looking photos (think Zoolander) posted in the ‘Hot or Not’ section, the site’s ambitious plan of being a one-stop-shop (e.g. books, jobs, reviews, music, etc) for students is indeed novel and if pulled off, Younilife will surely become a mainstay in the lives of students.

If FreelanceStudents were a dragon, we would ask…
Is the site spreading itself too thin by competing in a number of markets?

What do you think about the site and idea? Let us know your thoughts below.

Visit the website: http://www.younilife.com

Have you set-up your own web-based business as a student or recent graduate? Or do you know of somebody that has? If so please drop us a mail at [email protected] with the title “Student Website Business”.

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