Stop building products that doesn’t solve a real problem
When considering startup concepts, the preeminent error that founders frequently commit is constructing a product that fails to address a genuine issue. To guarantee the viability and profitability of
Regrettably, many entrepreneurs fall prey to the trap of developing solutions for non-existent problems, a situation commonly known as a "solution in search of a problem." This is a prevalent issue in software development today, where developers can become so enamored with creating something new that they forget to take a step back and consider if their solution is genuinely necessary.
The key to finding a viable product or startup idea is to uncover a need and offer a solution, rather than the other way around. In my opinion, this is a topic that does not receive sufficient attention when contemplating product or startup design. I can only oppose examples of very large companies that have succeeded in promoting products that were seemingly unnecessary. If this is the case, allow me to ask you three questions: Are you a multinational corporation? Do you have a marketing department capable of spending billions of dollars in advertising on every street? Do you possess the credibility and trust required to have your products adopted solely based on the image evoked by your name? Even with these advantages, it is not always sufficient to have a product that does not address a genuine need in the market.
It is well-known that Google has been struggling to establish its own social networking platform for over a decade without success. We could make many criticisms of the platforms they have created, but fundamentally, they are not succeeding because they are offering solutions to problems that they do not solve. They are attempting to promote products that few individuals require or have any use for, which is audacious. They have even given up on some of these endeavors.
Don't go looking for problems to solve
Google, a large company, one might think they just lack innovative ideas... It is once again ignoring the necessity factor and proposing a solution to looking for a problem that won't be found. Because problems, contrary to what one might think, are extremely difficult to find. That is why it is advised to all those looking for ideas to confront problems they encounter themselves or observe in their work and environment. The fact is that we often think we see problems where in reality there are none. This leads me to have to examine with you what a problem is in order to dispel certain conceptions.
No better example could illustrate my point than the ideas of web browsers. One might think that a more performant, ergonomic and reliable browser than Google Chrome would encourage users to adopt it. Yet they do nothing. Why? Because the majority of users do not need alternatives. They do not really have problems with Chrome and are only imagining having them. This is what I experienced personally before reinstalling Chrome yesterday. A problem is not just a lack of speed or ergonomics, a problem is something that prevents you from moving forward. It is not a pebble on your path, it is a wall blocking the way. It is a situation in front of which you are forced to get out, you do not have the possibility to bypass it. That is what a necessity is. Necessity makes a user pay for a service or product, otherwise they can bypass yours.
The problem you are trying to solve is what attracts users. At the same time, it is important to remember that unless you solve a real problem, few users will be inclined to adopt your product. For example, Google Chrome is not perfect, but few people will switch. Reasons such as trust (yes, really), reliability, integration with Google products, popularity and wide adoption, habits, and contentment can explain this. These are difficult to replicate, especially trust. How can you be sure you won't stop your activities soon?
Conclusion
It's important to find a real problem that people are interested in. Don't build a solution without a real problem, and focus on finding a specific and manageable problem to solve. Before investing time and resources in building a solution, it's crucial to understand the problem you're trying to solve and verify that your solution actually meets a need. Don't innovate just for the sake of innovation - make sure it's worth it and that you have the necessary time and resources to devote to it.
If you don't take these steps, it can lead to a disheartening outcome for developers and a huge waste of resources and time that could be better spent elsewhere. That's why it's essential to ask yourself if there is a genuine need for the solution you're aiming to create before you spend too much time and effort developing it. Failing to do so can have a significant impact on the success of the project, and it's a mistake that's all too easy to make without proper research and planning.