Ask HN: Should I Build This? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#11

Post by throes_death » Wed, Dec 25, 2019, 8:47 PM UTC

jmstfv wrote: post #6

I run a small, independent software company. First timer. > I estimate 2 weeks It is going to take longer than 2 weeks. And it is going be harder than you think. Building a product is only the beginning. You will have to write copy, find customers, implement billing and charge folks, offer support, do maintenance, build features, again find customers, talk to them, again build features, tweak copy, handle legal/accou…

If be interested to know a bit more about how you are overcoming the field of dreams problem.

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#12

Post by verdverm » Wed, Dec 25, 2019, 9:06 PM UTC

afewminsofcode wrote: post #9

verdverm wrote: post #3

Join YC Startup School, it will answer many questions and teach you a framework for thinking about your potential product. Or you can watch the videos on YouTube

This looks like a great suggestion! Have you used it yourself or just heard about it?

Did the last session, signed up for the next. Highly recommended!

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#13

Post by jakobegger » Wed, Dec 25, 2019, 9:47 PM UTC

AlDeeMer wrote: post #5

dnag wrote: post #4

If it takes just 2 weeks to build it, you should do it. No second thoughts.

Thank you. Possibly less as its a very simple product technically speaking. In terms of value added for the services using it - I think its quite beneficial but this is what I'm struggling to quantify or be objective about. This is very low maintenance and I am planning on doing this so it's as small technical debt as possible

If it's technically very simple, why would your customers buy your product rather than build it themselves?

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#14

Post by malux85 » Thu, Dec 26, 2019, 8:10 AM UTC

AlDeeMer wrote: post #5

dnag wrote: post #4

If it takes just 2 weeks to build it, you should do it. No second thoughts.

Thank you. Possibly less as its a very simple product technically speaking. In terms of value added for the services using it - I think its quite beneficial but this is what I'm struggling to quantify or be objective about. This is very low maintenance and I am planning on doing this so it's as small technical debt as possible

Just do it, 2 weeks is nothing

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#15

Post by malux85 » Thu, Dec 26, 2019, 8:11 AM UTC

jakobegger wrote: post #13

AlDeeMer wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thank you. Possibly less as its a very simple product technically speaking. In terms of value added for the services using it - I think its quite beneficial but this is what I'm struggling to quantify or be objective about. This is very low maintenance and I am planning on doing this so it's as small technical debt as possible

If it's technically very simple, why would your customers buy your product rather than build it themselves?

Because 99.9% of the population are not programmers?!

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#16

Post by erikbrodch » Thu, Dec 26, 2019, 12:39 PM UTC

I think you can relatively get a good indication if you are honest with yourself. Try using this idea evaluation tool I created (based on YC's partner lecture): https://www.polidoesntcare.com/blog/the-startup-idea-evaluat...

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#17

Post by mpurham » Thu, Dec 26, 2019, 3:29 PM UTC

You are estimating 2 weeks and I am assuming 40hrs/week (modest). Take your hourly rate and multiply it by 80hrs that is your estimated cost to build.

In terms of finding if it is a needed solution, you will need to find your target customer in depth. Your target customer profile should be so narrow that it makes you uncomfortable.

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#18

Post by jakobegger » Fri, Dec 27, 2019, 6:44 AM UTC

malux85 wrote: post #15

jakobegger wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's technically very simple, why would your customers buy your product rather than build it themselves?

Because 99.9% of the population are not programmers?!

The intended customers are "service[s] that [are] focused on user privacy, whistle blowing sites, vpn services" and "dating, lgbt, hookup sites".

How would you provide a service like that without any programmers?

Re: Ask HN: Should I Build This?

#19

Post by gremlinsinc » Mon, Dec 30, 2019, 9:53 PM UTC

AlDeeMer wrote: post #5

dnag wrote: post #4

If it takes just 2 weeks to build it, you should do it. No second thoughts.

Thank you. Possibly less as its a very simple product technically speaking. In terms of value added for the services using it - I think its quite beneficial but this is what I'm struggling to quantify or be objective about. This is very low maintenance and I am planning on doing this so it's as small technical debt as possible

As someone else said the company types you mentioned all are tech oriented and probably have devs who have internal processes already developed or in process of being developed if it's something they need.

Even if you tell your idea 99% of people won't do anything with it. If they do yours could still be implemented better and beat them or you could still beat them to market, or there could be a big enough market everyone can fit.

E.g there are like 10 uptime monitoring apps on indiehackers doing >3k mrr. Very simple function, tons of profitable competitors.

My advice is just say what it is you want to build and get actual feedback on the whole concept, you might even uncover better features by getting insight. Don't be afraid of people stealing your ideas. Ideas are a dime a dozen, successful startups are 1 attempt out of 99.