HOW TO NOT SUCK!

(Lessons Learned from running a Web Startup)

Source: http://bit.ly/lZQCeq

Thats me
Wolf Becvar
wolf@hotgloo.com @wdbecvar www.wolfbecvar.com

The Future of Wireframing

Source: Scott Beale /Laughing Squid, laughingsquid.com

Something is rotten ... in the app business.

Identify a niche Ask a designer or developer to help out Tweet about beta (invite only) Listen to feedback and tweak Launch Get TechCrunched Live the good life!
(Source: Ryan Carson)

Source: banksy.co.uk/

 Introduction 10 DOs and DONTs Q&As

The Online Wireframe App

We support webworkers to visualize their creative ideas.

- HotGloo claim

Timeline

Dec 2008

Mar 2009

Aug 2009

Feb 2010

Apr 2009
> Hannes Development > Wolf superReal > Beta Launch LAUNCH

> Go HotGloo!

Stats
Customer Growth (total)
800

Metrics
600

~ 3,9 % overall conversion rate ~ revenue per customer 11$ LTV 93$

400

200 Feb10 Mar10 Apr10 May10 Jun10

Jul10 Aug10 Sep10 Oct10

Nov10

0 Dec10 Jan11 Feb11 Mar11

Show-off Stuff

#1 Think about this for a second ...

Everything is marketing.
- Jason Fried, 37Signals

#2 Define your Companys Vision and Values

Where do you fit in?

Who the f**k are you? What makes you special? Why should I care?

#3 Choose your business model and pricing strategy carfully

free vs. paid what would you pay? charge in $ USD charge from day 1 (beta?) dont be innovative - be really boring run A/B tests re-jig over time

#4 Dont join the feature war!

Does this look like the killer feature?

Source: http://foolishgadgets.com/files/2009/03/shoot-yourself-gun_tfxnt_6648.jpg

The best software has a vision. The best software takes sides. When someone uses software, theyre not just looking for features, theyre looking for an approach. Theyre looking for a vision.
- Jason Fried, 37Signals

Listen to your customers, but then ignore them. Remember your vision.
- Jason from Mint.com

#5 Dont underestimate Support

This sucks!
- Anonymus

If you screw up, tell!

Source: banksy.co.uk/

#6

Engage from day -100

Research Identify Listen

Learn

Act

React

Pre

Launch

Growth

Maturity

Word of mouth & viral, Blogosphere referral, A-List customers

Direct Mail - opt-in email list - betatesters Internet Advertising PR - Buzz marketing - Company blog - Xing, LinkedIn ... - Conferences - Magazines - Blogposts - Ad-Words - Banner ads

SEO - optimized page markup - organic search

[App]itecture

 Compiled List
http://hubpages.com/hub/Promote_your_Webapp

TechCrunch
http://www.crunchbase.com/

WebAppers
http://www.webappers.com/

Sponsor Booths/Events

#7 Know your metrics

Use Google Analytics or Piwik Build a customized backend to

track your traffic

Track, track, track & improve

http://bit.ly/assq3Y

CPA ARPU Churn LVT

Cost Per Acquisition Average Revenue Per User Churn % Lifetime Value Per Customer

#8 Worship your UX

provide an experience for your visitors make signing-up really simple do wireframing run usability tests

#9 Dont hustle for VC

#10 Get passionate!

Source: banksy.co.uk/

Be so good they cant ignore you.

- Steve Martin

Booklist

Blogroll

Venture Hacks - http://venturehacks.com/ A Smart Bear - http://blog.asmartbear.com/ WebAppers - http://www.webappers.com/ TechCrunch - http://techcrunch.com/ Smashing Magazine - http://www.smashingmagazine.com/ Inspired Magazine - http://www.inspiredm.com/ UX Booth - http://www.uxbooth.com/ Signal Vs. Noise - http://37signals.com/svn Mashable - http://mashable.com/ Think Vitamin - http://thinkvitamin.com/

Thank You
Wolf Becvar @wdbecvar www.wolfbecvar.com www.hotgloo.com @hotgloo