(Part 3) Top products from r/startups

Cost? - FREE

Here is the info but if you need more than that, you can always pm me your questions and if you want me to actually help you as in actually putting together pages and configuring settings, then we can talk about a fee but for now the following info should help a lot.

First you should know I am advocating using wordpress. Some people are not good with it and are worried about that factor. So here are some guides and stuff to learn it.

WordPress Guides

Some guides are created for helping people out. Some are free and some are not. Some are actual manuals and some are video tutorials that get embedded into the dashboard of the website, which I find to be pretty handy.

Free

• Easy WP Guide (PDF and Word - free)(brandable)
  
• WordPress User Guide (PDF low quality - FREE)
  
  
  Paid
  
  
• WordPress User Guide (PDF high quality - $6, Editable Word Doc - $40)
  
• Video User Manuals (video in dashboard - $24/mo )
  
• WP101 (video in dashboard - $19/mo)
  
• Integrated Video Tutorials by WMPU DEV (videos in dashboard - Need a Membership to Use - white label - hosted on their server - always kept up to date)
  
  Now that you have that here is some info on how to build a website.
  
  This is in answer to people consistently asking how to get a website built.
  
  Validate Your Skill Level
  
  Are you currently a web programmer? If no, please do not attempt to become one to code your own dynamic website as security is a huge issue and it will take you years to catch up. It is not a reasonable effort to put forth if you want to keep your sanity, not burn your spare time, etc. Not saying you can't learn it, just saying it takes a lot of work and time that most entrepreneurs don't have to use and in some cases waste.
  
  You can learn how to do html and css within a few months but using a CMS system is much cleaner and easier and if you need something dynamic, you will probably need a developer.
  
  You generally need to know at least php and mysql for dynamic websites unless you want to get into the confusing worlds of joomla and drupal (non exhaustive list of alternatives: Python & Django, Node and ExpressJS, Python and Flask, Python & Pylons, Ruby & Sinatra). I hear decent things about Ruby on Rails though on par with php and mysql learning curve I think.
  
  Want to Learn Web Programming Anyway?
  
  Try CodeCademy for interactive programming learning.
  
  No Coding Skills Start Here
  
  Get / Use the following:
  
  
• Hosting: Bluehost.com
  
• Domain name: Buy through Bluehost and get a privacy option on it
  
• Web Platform to one click install: WordPress a CMS platform
  
• Find an appropriate responsive wordpress theme here: Themeforest.net
  
• Install and configure these free plugins in order: Better WP Security, BackWPup, Akismet, Yoast, Broken Link Checker, FirmaSite Theme Enhancer, Growmap Anti Spambot Plugin, Date/Time Now Button, and Advanced Responsive Video Embedder
  
• Buy other plugins you need here: CodeCanyon.net
  
• Need an affiliate manager?: Use Linksert.net and it's free WordPress plugin.
  
  Need Something More Dynamic?
  
  You have a few options. This list goes from least expensive to most expensive. Just know that most things you want to do already have a plugin or theme designed for them for WordPress. There are however a lot of exceptions to that guideline and that is why you look at the following options.
  
  
• Least Expensive end
  
• Hire someone to develop a WordPress plugin to do that dynamic stuff (cheaper than second option)
  
• Hire someone to build you a custom WordPress theme that has the functionality you need.
  
• Hire someone to develop the site from the ground up.
  
• Most expensive end
  
  The reason why WordPress is mentioned a lot is because it is a CMS aka Content Management System which allows you to manage a ton of the pages and posts and various other aspects of the website. If a developer really needs to, they can modify the core parts of WordPress. Rarely will you need someone to build you a brand new website and honestly you really do want a CMS or you are going to have a hard time.
  
  Some developers can be found here: Elance (freelancers), Matchist (freelancers), and Glowtouch (dev company vetted by Bluehost)
  
  Things to remember with website development
  
  
• Try to use a responsive website themes and plugins so that it can fit any screen size including tablets and phones.
  
• Get familiar with what they call "sticky footer" so that your footers don't end up halfway up the screen on low content pages. Example and info.
  
• Get familiar with the concept of having a fixed header as it will promote a lot of use of your website. Example and info.
  
• Design is important. You have ~2.6 seconds to capture their attention before they bounce. Read this book to learn about it: "Don't Make Me Think"
  
• Best colors to use for design and other design tricks (the best you are going to find): Article and Video
  
  I am actually putting together a series on how to build a website that will be fairly extensive. If you would like to be notified of that you can sign up here and I will send you a message when it's ready.

Thanks for sharing the link BirdHerder, you don't understand how much I appreciate you taking the time to write & share your opinion. I absolutely agree with you on the challenge of objective rating on such a subjective concept but we're hoping that society & group adoption would help establish the average norm as I'd imagine it would vary for each community.
Are you able to share with me some of those communities or applications that you feed would find a system like this beneficial? I've been reading the book crossing the chasm & the author keeps mentioning focus on market segments like you have mentioned but my background is biased towards in corruption in developing nations. I would love to know where you see such a system play a beneficial role...

Sure! Industrial Design is quite hard (imo) to learn from purely free resources online etc. I would suggest learning some form of CAD software through tutorials online. SolidWorks is a big one however if you'd like to learn the basics for free then Google SketchUp isn't too bad. As for the other aspects, learn about manufacturing processes (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Manufacturing-Processes-Design-Professionals-Thompson/dp/0500513759 is a great book), sketch sketch sketch and develop an understanding of the breakdown of products. Also check out websites like Core77.

I know I've waffled on and probably missed the point. But hopefully that helps! I'd certainly recommend doing some sort of course at a local college if possible!

There has never been more information available to aspiring entrepreneurs, which is great, but make sure you research the source before following any advice.

Learn from successful entrepreneurs; read blogs and watch their fireside interviews, but be weary of advice that comes from people who claim they contribute to the ecosystem.

Recommendations:

Mark Suster's Blog

Ben Horowitz's Blog

PandoDaily's YouTube Channel - Sarah Lacy does great for fireside interviews.

Clayton Christensen's book The Innovator's Dilemma is also a great resource.

I don't change prices very often since it just seems like it would be annoying if I were a customer. Technically I do make lots of changes to pricing and plans, just not "in production" and instead in the design phase via user studies.

Yes, I'm a technical founder. Changing pricing for me is as simple as editing some numbers in a text editor and publishing.

People responded positively because they loved the product and I priced it as low as possible. Just before I started working on my product I read Sam Walton's bio and loved the passages about pricing. I'm working on a consumer product which has a physical component, so the fulfillment and other infrastructure costs make pricing a bit more challenging than a pure software product. There's a fine line between setting prices so people from all walks of life can enjoy my product and paying my bills.

Honestly, check out The $100 Start Up. It's pretty straight forward and has some cool stories of people starting up businesses with little to no capital and experience, just doing what they love. I'm about half way through and I find it really interesting and refreshing from other business books I've read.

Two other related books I've enjoyed are Good To Great by Jim Collins and The Master Switch by Tim Wu, maybe others here are familiar with them too?

I've got a week long trip planned soon and because I've read 2 books out of your list (Zero to One and Rework,) I'll be looking into the rest of your list for some suggestions, thanks!

I went through the process of trying to sell a failed startup a few years ago. I read this text book on "distressed assets", which is a technical term that might help you do some research on this. I can't find the exact text book, but it was something like this one.

The basic formula is:

1. Make a realistic estimate of how much money the business will make in the future... revenue and earnings if you can estimate it.
   
   
2. Figure out a good "multiple" on revenue or earnings based on the industry and other factors.
   
   
3. Calculate a "discount rate" to take into account the risk that the business never makes as much money as you think it will.
   
   So as an example, with my former business I estimated that within 2 years it could bring in $500k/year revenue. I used a 2x revenues multiple to get a $1mm valuation. With a conservative 20% chance of getting there, I asked for ~$200k.
   
   If the business is nowhere near cashflow or you don't have a good way to estimate future value... if it could make anywhere from $0 to $100mm... then I'd suggest negotiating for a large advisors % in the company just in case it becomes the next big thing.
   
   Edit: Addressing the downvotes. (1) That's not an affiliate link to Amazon. (2) I'm not addressing OP's situation exactly, but I've been thinking about this recently and thought it might be a useful real world case of how to "value a company with no income".

Have you guys validated your idea? Do you have hundreds or thousands of people who already gave you feedback that they would put down money for your idea?

If you don't have validation yet, that is the number one thing I would say you need to get. If I had to recommend three books for you to hold close by your side, they would be:

• The Startup's owners manual (http://www.amazon.com/Startup-Owners-Manual-Step---Step/dp/0984999302) - that will teach you how to validate customers
  
  
• Designing for the digital age (http://www.amazon.com/Designing-Digital-Age-Human-Centered-Products/dp/0470229101) - a comprehensive guide on how to know your user and design for them
  
  
• Traction (http://www.amazon.com/Traction-Startup-Guide-Getting-Customers/dp/0976339609) - gives stories and pragmatic tips on how to find your market
  
  Also, don't become the Winklevoss twins!

Just bought this book-- may be of some help:

http://www.amazon.com/The-100-Startup-Reinvent-Living/dp/0307951529

With free webframes, you can start a web business for almost nothing. Check it out!

Great points. I remember reading "Don't Make Me Think" when I was in school and it was invaluable to me when doing user testing. It's focused on web UI etc but I think the lessons carry over.

https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Think-Revisited-Usability/dp/0321965515/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=don%27t+make+me+think&qid=1558558875&s=gateway&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.com/Money-Content-Your-Clicks-Free/dp/047174753X

"Money For Content and Your Clicks For Free: Turning Web Sites, Blogs, and Podcasts Into Cash"

before nothing my english is not perfect

OMG a webiste cost 3000 ? where are you live? USA? WHERE? I have my startups about Software and App and we never sell a webiste to that cost maybe 400 US ,etc but I think with 3000$ USD you can buy a hosting and create your website and maybe buy a computer for example this https://www.amazon.com/130S-Celeron-Bluetooth-Personal-incluido/dp/B07S8CGX9X?ref_=Oct_BSellerC_565108_1&pf_rd_p=2afdf005-5dad-59c6-b6b0-be699f2d03aa&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-10&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=565108&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=TTW5XYRTXJ0F42AHDXQZ&pf_rd_r=TTW5XYRTXJ0F42AHDXQZ&pf_rd_p=2afdf005-5dad-59c6-b6b0-be699f2d03aa

​

maybe you should make a A business plan for example check out this website is so amazing https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247574

I was in this exact spot a couple months ago. Then I picked up a copy of Blue Ocean Strategy, and it's given me a new lens to look at markets and problems. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read if you're stuck.

I'm going to check that out - thanks for the suggestion. Is this the right one? http://www.amazon.com/The-Intelligent-Entrepreneur-Successful-Entrepreneurship/dp/0312611757

As far as marketing goes, nothing beats The Irresistible Offer, IMHO. It's simple and effective.

I recommend:

• Zero to One by Peter Thiel (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0804139296/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687462&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0062273205&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0DCV9N9VAK1BTEWT0Y86)
  
  
• The Hard Things About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz (http://www.amazon.com/The-Hard-Thing-About-Things/dp/0062273205)
  
  
• Harvard Business School Confidential by Emily Chan (http://www.amazon.com/Harvard-Business-School-Confidential-Secrets/dp/0470822392/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426456169&sr=1-1&keywords=harvard+confidential)
  
  You should also check out founder coffee clubs in your city. I learned a ton of stuff from just chitchatting with local founders in different phases of their startups and just picking their brains. I made this (http://founders.oakenspoon.com) for folks in Austin, Texas to be randomly paired for a coffee date once a month.

Read this book: https://www.amazon.com/You-Build-Will-They-Come/dp/047056363X

Don't Make Me Think for anything needing a UI, and general Customer Experience.

TL;DR, just read Chaos Monkeys.

Step 1) Determine who you think your customer is.
Step 2) Find those customers
Step 3) Contact them
Step 4) ask them, "how do you go about doing _insert_the_problem_you're_looking_to_solve"

How to conduct customer development interviews: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KECAM98/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Also, do some rigorous competitor analysis: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Ocean-Strategy-Uncontested-Competition/dp/1591396190

Here's an idea ---- refinance the mortgage to pay way slower.

Slap mortgage payments into your "easy-money-profit-o-matic"-

Weep when you find out you merely curve-fitted the past market.

Buy this book off Amazon if you have any spare change remaining:

http://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Based-Technical-Analysis-Scientific-Statistical/dp/0470008741

The simplicity is nice. I think you could use some more work on the "profile" page. It's very useful to have everything there, but the visual hierarchy of the page is off. And it's difficult to figure out where to click / how things are structured. Read the book "Don't Make Me Think" if you haven't - it has been so helpful over the years (http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Me-Think-Usability/dp/0321344758).

Your site is wicked fast. What's your stack and who's hosting your code?

What's the aim of creating this app and how do you plan on developing it in the future?

Survivorship Bias. Now study the Startups that failed. Side note currently reading "What I Learned Losing a Million Dollars" by Jim Paul and Brendan Moynihan. https://www.amazon.com/Learned-Million-Columbia-Business-Publishing/dp/0231164688