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by benhowdle 2890 days ago
> When you built this, did you validate the idea at all with people in your own network (or extended network) wether they wanted something like this?

Having worked in 'websites' for 9+ years, I spotted the pain points people had with various aspects of updating their website - paying an agency thousands to create/update a simple brochureware site, not being able to navigate various CMS's people put in place, etc. I spoke to multiple people in/out of my network and in my opinion, validated the idea.

> What (in terms of feedback) have you received from people you judge to be your target market?

Good question. I've had less feedback from my target market, vs. my network (designers, developers, etc). I think this is where I didn't do particularly well. I validated the idea with the target market, but in terms of ongoing feedback of the product, I didn't acquire that.

> When you say people don't convert, do you mean they don't even test the product or that they don't convert to a paying subscription?

They reach various phases of the sign up process. It goes: Email/password -> Auth with FB -> Pick FB Page. Then you go through to your Dashboard, where you can view your site online, or pick a new theme, etc. People got to various stages of this, with most people going right through to the Dashboard (a created site), but rarely deciding to pay.

2 comments

When you say "validate", what does that actually mean? Was it "I tell people the idea, they say it sounds cool"? Presumably it wasn't "People give me money and are sad when I tell them it doesn't exist yet"?

I tend to think validation is a terrible word for the stuff we do when building a product. As well as a product needing to offer something of value, it needs to offer that to people who are willing and able to commit money to acquire that value. If businesses are setting up Facebook pages, that puts them in the "free site" category of customer at a first approximation. Your business is actually an upsell, and I think that's tough.

I just noticed you're in the UK. If you're interested in a coffee/chat at some point, hit me up - I think it's a lovely looking thing, but I doubt you'd be able to sell it to someone given that it has demonstrated it doesn't generate traction so far. (I also think you've put too much work into it - but I'm guessing you already know that).

Sent you an email :)