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Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

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Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#41

Post by burger_moon »

supercoder wrote: post #6

If you're going to tackle something in the area of real estate for your MVP, I'd advise being careful not to create something that is a two sided market place. So if the app requires people to list property, but as well as users to view the properties etc then it's something that will be hard to gauge any traction on quickly as you'll need both sides to be rapidly signing up. Developing a product that is focused on e…

Never really looked at it like that before. That applies to an unrelated project I'm working on that is built like that. It would make sense to focus on one side to gain traction then open up the other side to feed it once it has a user base.

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#42

Post by mobiplayer »

nothrabannosir wrote: post #31

I've been looking for rentals in London lately, here's my frustration. Perhaps this already exists and I can't find it (please tell me): a good, map-based UI for refining search for rentals. When I'm looking for a house to rent in London, it's always lists. I never lived there, so I see area codes and addresses, and they mean nothing to me. W3? Somedisuch park? So now, I first go to all those sites, sort by price, so…

The biggest real estate websites (Rightmove, Zoopla) do have maps as an option in the results. I also like to only use maps, whether I like the area or not.

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#43

Post by mooktakim »

a5seo wrote: post #13

Problem: I have a 30+ variations of the same photo, and I only need the "best" one. Help me find it with the help of Turk. I bootstrapped a real estate related web app and sold it for a bit over $10M. My advice is that unless you enjoy creating stuff for technology laggards (i.e. people who adopt things only begrudgingly), avoid that industry.

I'm curious what is your web app?

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#44

Post by mrborgen »

workergnome wrote: post #29
mrborgen wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a good process! My personal pain-point in this is paying way too much rent for way too little. (However, that's just the supply/demand mechanisms doing its work). But also, the landlord aren't delivering what it promised before I moved in...

It might be interesting to look into creating a service for form-letters for various real-estate complaints. I know that previously, I've had to deal with landlords who were withholding my security deposit, or refusing to make repairs, and a way to quickly generate official, legally-correct letters for requesting what I am legally entitled to could be useful.

Definitely! I'll look into this one.

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#45

Post by shosko »

What I've learned from multiple startup weekend and service design "bootcamps", is that understanding and using the process is the most valuable thing you can get out of your time. You're learning how to cook -- whatever everyone is making is secondary and just the output. Both the service design process and an understanding of BART group dynamics would be very helpful to you.

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#46

Post by aepearson »

mrborgen wrote: post #35
aepearson wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This should be a lesson at all "coding bootcamps" - learn to pick up the phone and talk to people.

Not just to all coding bootcamps students, but to all coders/founders/creators. I've met very few who actually do it, spanning from amateurs to experienced developers.

It's weird right?

The rest of the world, the people who will be paying you money or helping you solve your problem, don't always operate in the same closed off world of email-only communication.

In my work experience : Phone calls or in-person meetings = $$. Email only = lots of emails.

So, in this case - I'd compile a list of realtors and/or letting agencies. Then, call them up and ask them about their pain points.

Not only will you get REAL and valuable info, but you'll be making potential connections. (call them up next week and say, "hey, remember that product I was making to help you? well - I did it, you should check it out")

A room full of programmers will likely never have the answers that you are looking for (in this case).

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#47

Post by davemel37 »

mrborgen wrote: post #11
supercoder wrote: post #6

If you're going to tackle something in the area of real estate for your MVP, I'd advise being careful not to create something that is a two sided market place. So if the app requires people to list property, but as well as users to view the properties etc then it's something that will be hard to gauge any traction on quickly as you'll need both sides to be rapidly signing up. Developing a product that is focused on e…

I was thinking about a 'Yelp for rental apartments', where people can rate their experience with various landlords. Hopefully it could make bad landlords provide a better service. But as you point out, it's such a huge task to reach critical mass on something like that.

unfortunately, Tenants are disincentivized to complain about their landlords.

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#48

Post by mrborgen »

aepearson wrote: post #46
mrborgen wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not just to all coding bootcamps students, but to all coders/founders/creators. I've met very few who actually do it, spanning from amateurs to experienced developers.

It's weird right? The rest of the world, the people who will be paying you money or helping you solve your problem, don't always operate in the same closed off world of email-only communication. In my work experience : Phone calls or in-person meetings = $$. Email only = lots of emails. So, in this case - I'd compile a list of realtors and/or letting agencies. Then, call them up and ask them about their pain points.…

It is! I will take your advice and do it. Almost every time I talk to potential customers I'm surprised over the amount of valuable info I get from the chat.

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#49

Post by omegant »

ddebernardy wrote: post #23
omegant wrote: post #22

The biggest pain I found living in London (that can be solved in a week) is bus lines visualization. I find almost impossible to visualize the route of a bus, much less to combine two routes to get to a point. The official site gives line number information from point to point, but no visualization. I don't know if the London transports has an API with real time information, but it could be cool to have all the buses…

Curious to understand: how are the official ones not good enough or useful? http://www.tfl.gov.uk/maps/bus

They are usable but they can be improved quite a lot, they are too general. The night map is specially bad.

Re: Ask HN: Which problems can we build an MVP for in a week?

#50

Post by omegant »

mrborgen wrote: post #36
omegant wrote: post #22

The biggest pain I found living in London (that can be solved in a week) is bus lines visualization. I find almost impossible to visualize the route of a bus, much less to combine two routes to get to a point. The official site gives line number information from point to point, but no visualization. I don't know if the London transports has an API with real time information, but it could be cool to have all the buses…

Doesn't Google Maps work well for this?

I find useful for tube conections, although it's really(really) slow and more confusing lately. I've been unable to find a useful bus route with google. But maybe it's me.
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