Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#1

Post by benji-york » Fri, May 06, 2011, 7:50 PM UTC

I think the existing mobile messaging apps/services are both too general and too hard to use for the average non-geek. Therefore I built a service with a narrow focus: group texting with the people in your family.

Is this a waste of my time or a good way to reach real users with real needs? The site is up at textmyfamily.com.

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#2

Post by andy_gayton » Fri, May 06, 2011, 8:18 PM UTC

There are a lot of people in this space. By specializing your sign up is slightly more streamlined than groupme .. but only slightly -- http://groupme.com/ -- how do you see yourself comparing with them?

Clickable link: http://textmyfamily.com/

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#3

Post by thekevan » Fri, May 06, 2011, 8:22 PM UTC

That is a great focus. Remember the "Internet Buttons" app/site that was featured a while back? If your app is designed with that audience in mind, I think you could have a great opportunity. Best of luck.

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#4

Post by benji-york » Fri, May 06, 2011, 8:52 PM UTC

andy_gayton wrote: post #2

There are a lot of people in this space. By specializing your sign up is slightly more streamlined than groupme .. but only slightly -- http://groupme.com/ -- how do you see yourself comparing with them? Clickable link: http://textmyfamily.com/

In a way I'm going for a worse-is-better tactic. It doesn't do everything GroupMe does, but -- as you say -- that means it can be simpler: there's less to configure, you don't have to download an app, you don't need a smart phone, and you don't need to know anything other than how to text (which, after all, not all mobile phone users even know how to do).

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#5

Post by petervandijck » Sat, May 07, 2011, 12:40 AM UTC

I think that's a great idea and great focus.

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#6

Post by kongqiu » Sat, May 07, 2011, 12:46 AM UTC

Definitely think there's a big market for this. I consider myself barely a hacker (if that), but compared to most of the people in my life, I'm a super-geek. Don't assume even 3% of your target market is HN-level.

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#7

Post by autalpha » Sat, May 07, 2011, 9:05 AM UTC

I think if it's a good idea, the space will be competitive. If you have passion for the space, give it all you got. When you do that, only good things will come out at the other end.

With that being said, you still have to focus on your execution. If you take care of the smallest details and really worry about the users' experience/flow. It will show through and sure enough you might have that chance to fight with any bigger guy in your space.

Good luck and keep on fighting :)

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#8

Post by autalpha » Sat, May 07, 2011, 9:08 AM UTC

autalpha wrote: post #7

I think if it's a good idea, the space will be competitive. If you have passion for the space, give it all you got. When you do that, only good things will come out at the other end. With that being said, you still have to focus on your execution. If you take care of the smallest details and really worry about the users' experience/flow. It will show through and sure enough you might have that chance to fight with an…

Ooooh. You know what I was thinking? You have a "night" theme on your site. What if, based on the hours of the day, it will switch to "daytime" where there's the sun and green grass etc. It will make "some" people happier and that's all the "personal" feeling you need for now.

Re: Ask HN: Am I insane for competing in this space?

#9

Post by hansy » Sat, May 07, 2011, 5:48 PM UTC

What about Beluga?