[revorad]

Ok, so clearly you've already got some data from interactions with your audience. If you shared that, you would likely get useful feedback on that.

Just because most people here are programmers, does not mean they don't have interests or know people with interests in non-tech domains (guns? ESR?).

From whatever little you've mentioned, it seems unlikely you are building a node.js chat box for gun lovers,

So, is it ecommerce or a message board?

[msquared]

It's a target score tracking tool, built around aggregating scores, ammunition makes/types, individual gun scores, etc to let individuals track how well they do (in general, with one of their guns, etc) and track performance metrics across the user base to determine which ammo works well, which guns perform best, etc.

So, a tracking tool mixed with a social network. I guess.

It started as something to help me track my scores and see how I progressed. I made a score calculating algorithm just using Excel that factored in ring size, distance, wind, and a whole load of other factors and it worked really well. I had one of those "this is madness" moments and started porting it into a CakePHP app.

There are a ton of AJAX page interactions, UI/UX elements, etc that are very different from what traditional message boards and forums use.

[revorad]

Yeah baby, now we are talking!

Ok, so you've already got version 1 of your product in Excel. So, my first question is: have you shared that with any of your audience?

Why do you want to make it a web app? Why don't you just sell the Excel workbook itself. Make no mistake - it's a big readymade market. See this for inspiration - http://startupdesi.com/100000-startup-revenue-in-12months/.

It might at least be a good starting point to get hold of your customer base.

Presumably, you can create a much more useful version if it's a webapp.

So then, the question is how do you market it to your customers?

It's great that you yourself are a user of the app. You exactly understand the pain points of your users.

Now, where do these people go to practice their shooting (or whatever the technical lingo is)?

Are there clubs? Are you a member of any of them? Can you make a presentation in any of those places?

Are there relevant magazines? Newsletters?

Have a look at Tim Ferriss' 4-hour work week for ideas on advertising in the right places.

[msquared]

Haha yeah. Not entirely sure why I keep playing the contents of this site close to the vest. And interesting. I had not considered selling the Excel version of the product. That could be an interesting revenue generator, and definitely a way to get users involved.

My first attempt at getting a solid user base was going to be through word of mouth (seemingly, one of the best marketing practices in this niche) and getting the word out on my home forum. They have a built in audience of 20,000 or so, and I interact with a lot of them regularly, so I'm figuring I can easily jumpstart membership, assuming my product is easy enough to use.

There are also a few advertising venues I can use. There are magazines, but this is being built out of pocket and I don't have a large marketing budget. Matter of fact, I have no budget. My budget is: spend as little money as possible. This has been more of an exercise in flexing my coding skills primarily, so making money takes a back seat. I'm hoping I produce a better product that way.

People go to public and private ranges alike, and every chance I get I talk to other shooters about my project. Everyone seems enthusiastic (with the caveat of a little fear.. apparently this crowd is a little afraid of the word "tracking," no joke. I will have to consider that sometime soon).

I just joined a private range in Philly and when I get closer to completion I'm going to start pimping it out there, if they let me.

I will read that article you linked me to when I get some time today, I barely have enough to keep checking this page.

My biggest hurdle is getting these users to adapt to change. I also have to deal with the technical hurdle of making my site work in deprecated versions of browsers. It's going to be a fun challenge, no doubt.

[revorad]

Wow man, so you already have the version 1 of a product you yourself use in a pretty good size market that you are privy to. Do you know most people on HN would kill to be in that position???

Honestly, stop holding those cards close to the chest and start selling to anyone and everyone who will listen.

Put up a simple one-page website (use http://unbounce.com to get going) and post the link on HN. Oh and get some advice from patio11 (if anyone, he understands non-web-savvy people).

Good luck and I hope to see your site soon!