Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#1

Post by pocmedia » Sat, Jul 06, 2013, 5:55 PM UTC

I'm currently developing a Profit/Loss web app that allows users to see if they are in the red or green. It is in an extremely simple format, easy to use, and provides great insight into how a business is doing. I have plans for adding more robust functionality but want to see if people are interested by the concept. Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#2

Post by waster » Sun, Jul 07, 2013, 1:40 AM UTC

Not thrilled about putting financial data on a web app. Excel is a very useful (private) way to figure out red vs. green. Just my $.02!

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#3

Post by damoncali » Sun, Jul 07, 2013, 1:33 PM UTC

I wouldn't. It's amazing how quickly you go from "simple spreadsheet" to "this is a real pain - I need proper accounting software".

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#4

Post by pocmedia » Sun, Jul 07, 2013, 4:42 PM UTC

damoncali wrote: post #3

I wouldn't. It's amazing how quickly you go from "simple spreadsheet" to "this is a real pain - I need proper accounting software".

Very good point - thanks. I think simplicity is always the key with finances. Thanks for the feedback.

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#5

Post by pocmedia » Sun, Jul 07, 2013, 4:43 PM UTC

waster wrote: post #2

Not thrilled about putting financial data on a web app. Excel is a very useful (private) way to figure out red vs. green. Just my $.02!

Interesting, thanks for the feedback. I figured security/privacy was a sticking point for most people. We're looking at doing this for companies rather than personal information so I'm not sure if that changes much or not. We have a couple people interested (are currently building it for 1 client) but I'm trying to get a feel for the market first.

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#6

Post by dcao » Mon, Jul 08, 2013, 12:17 AM UTC

I think QuickBooks is least for any business, for auditing purpose, espcially for filing tax report.

Myabe you can find users among eBay sellers or individual Amazon sellers.

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#7

Post by pocmedia » Mon, Jul 08, 2013, 4:10 PM UTC

dcao wrote: post #6

I think QuickBooks is least for any business, for auditing purpose, espcially for filing tax report. Myabe you can find users among eBay sellers or individual Amazon sellers.

Good idea, thanks for the thought. I imagine that people would like to use something simple like this for basic finance needs. Something like a sprinkler/lawn care business, computer repair, etc. Eventually increasing capabilities but starting simple with businesses that don't have complex numbers to crunch. Thanks again for the input.

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#8

Post by edpichler » Tue, Jul 09, 2013, 11:53 PM UTC

Only if it is a reliable application. It must have the export do spreadsheets feature, because I don't want to type all the information if the services go down.

Re: Ask HN: Would you use simple profit/loss web app?

#9

Post by pocmedia » Wed, Jul 10, 2013, 6:17 PM UTC

edpichler wrote: post #8

Only if it is a reliable application. It must have the export do spreadsheets feature, because I don't want to type all the information if the services go down.

Awesome, thanks for the feedback. I agree on the import/export. We had planned to have this feature in to begin with but its great to here it reiterated.