my SaaS failure
I'd like to share a SaaS I tried to start and basically failed.
I tried to start a radio station hosting platform a few years ago. I had a ton of ideas for features, and I was using it to host my own radio station datafruits.fm. It seemed like a great idea.
I eventually whipped up a landing page that looked maybe decent enough on my own to capture emails. I didn't open sign ups publicly but I emailed people who signed up to the mailing list individually and offered them a free trial, then a discounted rate if they decided to pay for the service.
I think basically the product was difficult to use, and there were a few major bugs that were difficult to fix in time while juggling my day job as well. Eventually the people who I got on the platform got fed up and left.
I think I bit off more than I could handle with the amount of features. If the product was reduced significantly in complexity, or if I had someone to help me, or more time, I think maybe this product could be successful.
I'm still using the app for my own station, and you can see it here
https://streampusher.com
although I took down the landing page...
If I had a partner to help with marketing, design, or pretty much anything I think I would have had another chance. Perhaps I will re-design the app and relaunch sometime in the future if it ever feels right to do so.
If anyone has any questions about the app I'm happy to answer them. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
To me the biggest takeaway here is: it was too big from the start (rule of thumb: if you use the word "platform" in your pitch/explainer, it is too big).
Whenever you start something on the side, or for the first time, make it something really small. Something you can create in a short period of time and that does something better than the rest. This is easier to ship, maintain and to sell. If it indeed does catches on, and it provide you enough money to work on FT, you can go horizontal and extend the features.
If you want to pursue a venture in the same direction or do a relaunch, see to scrap most features and focus on that one feature that makes you stand out.
How did you promote it? How did people learn about it?
I tried to find communities where people who are interested in this kind of product would hang out, and post helpful answers there. I also wrote an ebook about a related internet radio software tool, although I'm not sure if many people came from that.
Great idea, I think you tried to with something very big to maintain. Never mind I am sure the next one will be greater ...
I remember someone from Basecamp saying: better have half a product, than a half assed product.
I think it is what you experienced here. People leaving because of bugs should not be your number 1 reason.
Totally, the quality was just not there I think.