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Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

luminotes.com

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Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#1

Post by witten »

I've been working on this product (with some unrelated consulting on the side) for nearly a year. Just to head off some obvious comments, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Web browser support for the web-based product itself is fairly restricted. So no Safari, and no Opera. Yet.

I realize the product is a little general-purpose, and that makes a unique selling proposition more difficult to craft. I also realize that you kind folks on HN are not the target market.

I'm trying to build a sustainable business, so I'm not interested in tips for attracting investors/buyers.

If you must say a comment along the lines of, "I don't see how this is any different than all the other wiki / notebook / word processor software out there," then please at least read some of the tour or try the demo first. If it's still not clear, then obviously I need to improve my explanation of the product.

So, what do you think? My main goal at this point is to improve traffic and build a larger customer base. I have a handful of paying customers now, but not nearly "enough". Part of the problem might be that convincing consumers (rather than businesses) to pay a recurring fee is a tough sell.

Anyway, thanks in advance.

Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request
luminotes.com

Re: Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#2

Post by witten »

I've been working on this product (with some unrelated consulting on the side) for nearly a year. Just to head off some obvious comments, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Web browser support for the web-based product itself is fairly restricted. So no Safari, and no Opera. Yet.

I realize the product is a little general-purpose, and that makes a unique selling proposition more difficult to craft. I also realize that you kind folks on HN are not the target market.

Tags are in the works.

I'm trying to build a sustainable business, so I'm not interested in tips for attracting investors/buyers.

If you must post a comment along the lines of, "I don't see how this is any different than all the other wiki / notebook / word processor software out there," then please at least read some of the tour or try the demo first. If it's still not clear, then obviously I need to improve my explanation of the product.

So, what do you think? My main goal at this point is to improve traffic and build a larger customer base. I have a handful of paying customers now, but not nearly "enough". Part of the problem might be that convincing consumers (rather than businesses) to pay a recurring fee is a tough sell.

Anyway, thanks in advance.

Re: Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#3

Post by vaksel »

I'd remove "Pricing & signup" and change it to "Sign up for your free account today"...THEN during the sale process, upsell them "Your free account comes with ______, upgrade to one of our premium plans today and receive a ___% discount"

This way you won't drive people away w/o them at least trying your product to see if its for them

Re: Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#4

Post by witten »

vaksel wrote: post #3

I'd remove "Pricing & signup" and change it to "Sign up for your free account today"...THEN during the sale process, upsell them "Your free account comes with ______, upgrade to one of our premium plans today and receive a ___% discount" This way you won't drive people away w/o them at least trying your product to see if its for them

I was sort of going by standard practice among other startups.. They all seem to be very up-front about their pricing and rate plans. Do you think that this is in general a bad idea, or do you think with my product in particular, it would be better to go with the "Sign up for your free account today" approach? If so, why?

Also, by the way, my conversion rate to free accounts is around 26% according to Analytics. (This is not for AdWords clicks.) I think a bigger concern for me is my conversion rate (or lack thereof) for free accounts to paid accounts.

Re: Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#6

Post by witten »

auston wrote: post #5

I would make it clearer WHY I SHOULD USE LUMINOTES? My first thoughts for a use case would be for a company to keep training docs. In which case, I would make the fact that it costs money more prominent.

Okay, sounds like my unique selling proposition isn't obvious enough. I'll work on that.

Re: Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#7

Post by ricree »

witten wrote: post #4
vaksel wrote: post #3

I'd remove "Pricing & signup" and change it to "Sign up for your free account today"...THEN during the sale process, upsell them "Your free account comes with ______, upgrade to one of our premium plans today and receive a ___% discount" This way you won't drive people away w/o them at least trying your product to see if its for them

I was sort of going by standard practice among other startups.. They all seem to be very up-front about their pricing and rate plans. Do you think that this is in general a bad idea, or do you think with my product in particular, it would be better to go with the "Sign up for your free account today" approach? If so, why? Also, by the way, my conversion rate to free accounts is around 26% according to Analytics. (Thi…

The signup page is pretty up front about the pricing and capabilities. The link already takes them to a straightforward and clear summary of the different options, so I don't see any reason not to make the link text into something that is more likely to bring them to that page in the first place.

Re: Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#9

Post by witten »

ricree wrote: post #7
witten wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was sort of going by standard practice among other startups.. They all seem to be very up-front about their pricing and rate plans. Do you think that this is in general a bad idea, or do you think with my product in particular, it would be better to go with the "Sign up for your free account today" approach? If so, why? Also, by the way, my conversion rate to free accounts is around 26% according to Analytics. (Thi…

The signup page is pretty up front about the pricing and capabilities. The link already takes them to a straightforward and clear summary of the different options, so I don't see any reason not to make the link text into something that is more likely to bring them to that page in the first place.

I do find it a little funny that among the few comments that have been posted so far, some people are suggesting I make the fact that the product costs money more obvious, while others are suggesting I instead entice people with the "sign up for free" aspect. :)

Re: Yet Another Review/Rate My Startup Request

#10

Post by vaksel »

witten wrote: post #4
vaksel wrote: post #3

I'd remove "Pricing & signup" and change it to "Sign up for your free account today"...THEN during the sale process, upsell them "Your free account comes with ______, upgrade to one of our premium plans today and receive a ___% discount" This way you won't drive people away w/o them at least trying your product to see if its for them

I was sort of going by standard practice among other startups.. They all seem to be very up-front about their pricing and rate plans. Do you think that this is in general a bad idea, or do you think with my product in particular, it would be better to go with the "Sign up for your free account today" approach? If so, why? Also, by the way, my conversion rate to free accounts is around 26% according to Analytics. (Thi…

Well you will still be upfront about your fees, I'm only talking about changing the actual link text, so that the users will be more likely to click it, since everyone likes free stuff.
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