I am wondering what problem you are trying to solve. I am wondering if you even have a clear problem in mind or if this is a solution in search of a problem.
What is your so-called elevator speech for this product?
As RogerL indicated, the site does need a lot of work. But, I think a deeper problem is that I don't really see a clear business model here. I see something that looks like this type of thinking: "1) make app 2) talk to vendors 3) (something happens here 4) Profit!" and I will suggest that vendors at farmer's markets are not there to try to make you rich. You have got to offer something of value to them.
I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but your site is pretty bad. The text reads like it was written by a non-native speaker. I had to puzzle just to figure out what some sentences were saying. Then the interaction was a bit wonky (sometimes things scroll up down, sometimes left right, sometimes popouts). The images behind the text made it extremely hard to read. Putting myself in the mind of a vendor, I…
Oh, you talk about the website. You think the website kills users motivation? The thing was that 1) my previous website wasn't like this at all (no venders signed up, I shifted my idea to neighbors who wants to sell produce to neighbors) 2) I just told them how to download the app. Like searching "buy from farm". I personally don't think your comment is trying to answer my questions because it can't be no single download. They already saw how app works.
I visit the farmer's markets here (not Austin) maybe once or twice a week and I'm not sure why I would want to use this app. I'd recommend a lot more customer feedback development/interviews (to use the Steve Blank term) For example, It should be more like 5 to 10 people per day rather than 20 people in total. Farmers and people that visit farmer's markets, are generally polite. They're going to say yes to you and th…
Ok. Can I interview you first? Why wont you use it? Assume you are a user. Do you know what can you buy when you visit a farmer's market? I know you can check the website of a farmers market. But most of them don't have vendor product info. Let's see you know Barton creek FM so well you know each stand. How about at Muller? Will you just go there to try you luck. You can also argue most of vendors have their own websites. But really? A small business like them to build and maintain a website? I saw most of websites are old and lack of update for Barton's. A followup question: use this app, you see your neighbor is putting up some small trees for sale, like craigslist, will you buy from your neighbor. Like my mentor, a golf legend, plants 50+ trees at his backyard, he wants to sell some of them, at his 70's, how could he do that? In the end, and also how I pitched, most of grocery shopping happens at formal and informal farmers market in developing counties such as in China and India. So I also think there is a huge opportunity there.
> what should I do? I am not gonna close my door without trying harder. Repetition is key-- visit these same people again, and again. Get to know them and their business. Question: are the vendors the true decision-makers or just helpers? Focus on getting just ONE conversion as a pilot project. Hold their hand till it gets traction. All the other vendors will take note if this thing works. Mindset is helpful, this is…
Helpful one. I actually met a CEO of a local wine company. He was excited (at least he asked a lot of questions), pointed me to his VP Marketing. Some are helpers. I will lock one and follow up.
I am wondering what problem you are trying to solve. I am wondering if you even have a clear problem in mind or if this is a solution in search of a problem. What is your so-called elevator speech for this product? As RogerL indicated, the site does need a lot of work. But, I think a deeper problem is that I don't really see a clear business model here. I see something that looks like this type of thinking: "1) make…
Well. Making me rich as my intention is probably a little bit too much. At least I think I am trying to help them. The idea is from neighbors helping neighbors. I am from China. Nowadays almost 99% grocery shopping is done in farmer's markets in China, India and almost most developing countries. There are countless news about farmers couldn't find buyers. This is the problem I am solving. If you think my solution is bad. There are a few startups I found out, funded, and charged vendors up to $100/month for providing their product info.
I understand you are trying to help. But not happy with my intention is challenged.
I am wondering what problem you are trying to solve. I am wondering if you even have a clear problem in mind or if this is a solution in search of a problem. What is your so-called elevator speech for this product? As RogerL indicated, the site does need a lot of work. But, I think a deeper problem is that I don't really see a clear business model here. I see something that looks like this type of thinking: "1) make…
Well. Making me rich as my intention is probably a little bit too much. At least I think I am trying to help them. The idea is from neighbors helping neighbors. I am from China. Nowadays almost 99% grocery shopping is done in farmer's markets in China, India and almost most developing countries. There are countless news about farmers couldn't find buyers. This is the problem I am solving. If you think my solution is…
Okay, so are you actually doing this in China then? Because I am American and I imagine most folks here are answering from an American or European or other more developed country perspective. So if you will clarify where your market is, that might help you get better feedback from the people here.
I am sorry you are offended. I was not challenging your intention. I was telling you what the product looks like to an outsider who has no idea what your intention is. It is your job to make it clear what the intent is by how you frame it. Bill Gates said "Your unhappiest customers are your greatest source of learning" (or something close to that). You have to learn to take constructive feedback for what it is: Useful information. If you get upset with people for trying to give you feedback, it gets less likely you will continue getting it and that is a much, much bigger problem than being told something you aren't happy hearing.
Don't talk to people about your app and downloads and push notifications. They don't understand this language and zoom out while keeping polite conversation with you.
Talk to them in their terms - tell them that you'll help them to sell more and reach more customers. Tell them how much more specifically - even though it's a very rough estimate.
Well. Making me rich as my intention is probably a little bit too much. At least I think I am trying to help them. The idea is from neighbors helping neighbors. I am from China. Nowadays almost 99% grocery shopping is done in farmer's markets in China, India and almost most developing countries. There are countless news about farmers couldn't find buyers. This is the problem I am solving. If you think my solution is…
Okay, so are you actually doing this in China then? Because I am American and I imagine most folks here are answering from an American or European or other more developed country perspective. So if you will clarify where your market is, that might help you get better feedback from the people here. I am sorry you are offended. I was not challenging your intention. I was telling you what the product looks like to an ou…
Well, my website is in English and I am asking a question in a English Forum so apparently I am targeting US.
I understand your point. Yes, I should do my own research before I started to make an app. Tell me this is the story of facebook, dropbox, box, airbnb, etc.
Not related but I am pretty new to HN. I thought the answer to a question should be related. Personally I don't get how your answer is USEFUL. From my understanding, the vendors I interviewed were happy with this solution. And You were telling me it's a wrong product. It's contradictory, isn't it?