How to validate an app idea? (advice for a College Indie Hacker <3 )
Hi friends!
To any successful/budding indie app hackers out there, how do you guys go about picking a problem to solve? Any specific advice on how to validate an app idea?
The Problem I am looking to address: Exchanging contact information can be incredibly frustrating, at worst, and nervewracking at best
What do yal think about this problem? Do you guys think exchanging information is a problem? (or at least one worth addressing?) Any ideas or suggestions in validating this idea would be incredibly appreciated!
Would love to hear from yal wonderful hackers!
I am also a college student and have seen this project at basically every hackathon. In fact, I have a friend who worked on a startup doing this very thing. And as you mentioned, there are a ton of companies trying to do this and they all failed.
Whenever everyone comes up with the same idea and everyone fails, that's probably a sign that you should stay away from that idea unless you have something truly unique to offer.
Hey Dmitri!
I (like many others before me) somewhat naively think my initial implementation is unlike most implemented before me.
But I am curious, what was the name of the startup? I am really trying to take steps to see if this idea is truly different.
Is there any way I could connect with you & run the idea past you, as well Dmitri?
You can see it here: http://www.aquaint.us
Feel free to email me yeah.
You shouldn't get in the mentality that an "app" can solve any problem--but they can solve some. For example, you could just pay for personal business cards--problem solved--or is it? Maybe creating personal/business cards is hard even in these times, and can be something software can help enhance. You have to do the research. But don't spend too much time on research because after a while you're just deluding yourself--you have to do experiments to validate an business--which is what you're really building--not just an app. I like to say "The proof is in the pudding" to remind myself not to get too distracted from the fact that I'm building a business in the end.
PS: I have watched the failure of many exchange contact information products like Knock Knock, GetSwap, nfc exchange, QR code etc. But none seem to be adopted, here in the US at least. I am not sure why, but I feel like it is still unsolved/unintuitive problem.