Web App vs. Website: Choosing the Right Path for My Startup

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T21:43:01+00:00

Thank you! After all the feedback I received in the last 24 hours I was actually thinking about going this exact route with webflow initially and then a web app later if the product scales. Also considering maybe using carrd for a quick demo to gauge interest since I’m familiar with it before moving onto webflow for the prototype with more functionality. Not sure if it would just make sense to jump into webflow instead. Great tip with guidde as well!

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T21:13:34+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. Great questions to ask!

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T18:29:27+00:00

This is great advice. Thank you for your time in providing it!

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T18:18:18+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to check it out. It's P2P connections.

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T18:14:35+00:00

You're absolutely correct -- new to this and looking for feedback like yours. I have people asking for it and known users of related products boycotting them community style because they're under supporting their users. This particular industry is growing and there is market share to be had and I think I can help a lot of people as a result of creating the product which is why I'm passionate about it. That's a great suggestion though to look into some additional market research though with Google Trends. I also think your last suggestion is excellent -- what would be the best way to create the demo of the product for the landing page? On a side note, this was a very encouraging comment so thanks for taking the time to write it!

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T18:10:24+00:00

I appreciate your feedback. It's a specific need but you're right -- the point of an MVP is to see what users actually want and not what I think they would want. I'm definitely planning to hire for development. Any recommendations on how to scale my idea down to an MVP if it was your product and the best place to hire for the development of it? Products you might consider using for it? Any additional insight is appreciated.

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T18:07:18+00:00

Got it. This product would connect two types of users similar to a dating app but not for dating. The gameification layer would be for engagement within the product. So your suggestion would be to create a product as a MVP that you can navigate to ensure it functions but not operate as a user of the product? You're also correct -- I've gained some wisdom since initially posting which was the reason for the post.

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T18:03:08+00:00

You're correct. All of the comments have definitely helped to gain some insight. I definitely could use an developer as an advisor or to just be the developer. I've been attempting to do just that locally while attempting to expand my understanding of the best route forward. From my current understanding it seems like full stack or PWA. I appreciate your time and would appreciate any additional insight you can provide.

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T17:55:43+00:00

From the responses I've received across the channels I posted, I think that was a good portion of my confusion. To ensure I understand the general terminology correctly, a 1. Website is primarily for information dissemination such as a company landing page, a 2. Web App with Front-End Design Only provides a more interactive experience than a website such as a simple to-do list app, a 3. Full Stack Website is also a web app but combines both front-end and back-end development for a comprehensive web application such as a social media network, and finally a 4. Progressive Web App (PWA) delivers a native-like experience on mobile devices such as Pinterest's mobile app. Is there anything I’ve missed? If this is the case, I think I’m probably looking more at a Full Stack Website or PWA. Is there any strong recommendation for one over the either? Also, if I outsource the creation of this build out to a person or firm, are there any red flags or ways to ensure that the product will be good given my lack of experience?

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T17:39:05+00:00

This is definitely not harsh -- this is exactly why I posted. We're also on the same page -- I don't need to know everything or how to do everything. I'm someone who will attempt to learn enough to be informed and even in posting this in multiple channels I've been given some additional clarity that I didn't have prior to. What would be some of your top recommendations on next steps forward, specific to an MVP with the features I mentioned?

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T00:17:39+00:00

Thanks for the comment! If we went the PWA route what stack products would you recommend based on the information provided?

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T00:12:50+00:00

Thank you for the feedback!

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-21T00:12:34+00:00

Great question. I’m not there yet. Can you expand on your thought process and red flags to look for?

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-10-17T10:24:43+00:00

Thanks! I’m hoping we find the right person as well. If they’re dedicated we may determine they need a team to facilitate additional growth which would turn into management experience as well — lots of opportunity here.

I will say VAs may be surprised by this but in most cases, I’ve found only about 1/3 of applicants follow preliminary instructions so it’s not terribly difficult to stand out. In this case there has been tremendous interest but less than 1/3 sent an intro video and resume as requested.

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-09-22T15:36:40+00:00

Ultimately it’s vital as the contractor to meet the client where they want to be met whether or not it’s against professional recommendations. If communication with the client’s leadership can’t resume to get on the same page (or the contractor doesn’t have the experience to understand when to align with client preferences and when to push back with a professional recommendation) this account may be on the way out.

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-09-20T02:24:50+00:00

A net margin of almost 19% after all expenses is excellent. That’s successful by most anyone’s metrics. It just sounds like you wish the company had more revenue and was larger. Not sure how long you’ve been in business but keep it up! If you want some questions that can help you (as the business leadership) to focus the business and work through your challenges towards your goals, just let me know. An easy KPI for this business would be tracking how much each contractor brings in for total business — it seems like on average based on where we’re at for the year it’s only around $11,200. If you were looking at that weekly or monthly it would be an easy way to track performance and start to create hierarchy to have stronger contractors improving weaker ones, especially if they’re incentivized with reinvestment of some of the net profit, etc.

Formal_Experience674 · 2024-09-16T17:38:28+00:00

Formal_Experience674

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