Where can I get an idea to create an application?

We bring to your attention an adaptation of the article by Nitesh Agrawal, founder of the startup help site indiez.io , on how to come up with an idea for an application. Apps have changed our lives. Now it is already very difficult to imagine a world without Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other things. The first thing I do when I wake up is pick up my smartphone. And I'm not the only one. Approximately 44% of the world's population use smartphones and do what I do. And this is 3.7 billion people. Why? Because apps are cool! They changed business, gave us new job opportunities, helped us become more mobile and in general they are very useful. Applications relate to key areas of our lives.

If only we could automate this...

On Indiez (startup help site), we spoke to over 600 startups from over 30 countries. I kept asking them the same question: “How did you come up with this?” Some of the answers to this question were extremely interesting, and it will be useful to know about them for those who are just looking for an idea for an application. One of the most common responses goes something like this: “We ran into a problem and realized that it would be great if there was an application to solve it.” In practice, we constantly encounter something like this. How easy and simple is it to share a sound file with your friend? How to solve the laundry issue as soon as possible? What would you come up with so as not to go yourself to open the door to guests? If you think about what you have to do every day, you will realize how many problems still have to be solved. Consider which question is most relevant to you. Here is the finished idea for the application!

They didn't care about business

And you shouldn't. A successful application doesn't have to be a profitable business formula, at least not initially. Create an app to attract people. If users of your product are satisfied, you will always find a way to make money later. Did you know that WhatsApp (perhaps the most used app on the planet) has been without revenue for a long time?

They adapted an existing application

You should be so haunted by a certain application that you will always start to wonder, “How did it become so popular?” This is another idea for a startup. Can you improve the performance of an existing application? But is it right? Yes, absolutely! You can always do what is best. Instagram blatantly copied Snapchat's tools. And your idea doesn't have to be completely innovative. What app do you use every day? Do you have any ideas how to improve the performance of this application?

They used their creativity and played with the idea

Many interesting applications are a combination of two completely unrelated fields. Uber for groceries is Instacart. GetAround is Airbnb for cars. Practice connecting the unconnectable! If you don’t give up, the result will be like in the gym - you will improve day after day. It's especially nice that you can do it anywhere and anytime... Standing in line, getting to work or even in the bath.

Explore the App Store and Play Store

If something is particularly popular, then that's a good indicator. Paul Graham said, "The only way you can avoid competition is by avoiding good ideas." Insight and understanding of the issue will help you cast aside fears about crowded venues. You can explore apps and view their reviews. If the reviews are bad, you have a great chance to fix the situation. For example, there are many travel booking apps, but only a few of them provide a truly high-quality service. You can get a great experience by doing SEO. For example, an application for booking a five-star hotel. Or an application exclusively for business travel. One of our clients noted that he learned this thanks to " niche to win". The chart below will give you an idea of ​​what works and what doesn't.

Group discussion with friends

This is a funny approach to the problem. Instead of playing " exploding kittens " at lunch, you can come up with an idea for your future application together. Many of the founders I spoke with got their startup idea during a party or social gathering. I'm sure your views may differ, and this factor will further enrich the overall idea. Friends can tell you about their daily problems, the solution for which can be found in the new application. And you know what is the most useful thing in all this? You will immediately have a few first users!

Look for inspiration

One of our clients got the idea from requests from Y Combinator startups. I googled and realized that there are many similar places where you can find inspiration. I liked Reddit and Ideas Watch . Dig around there, you might find something interesting for yourself.

What's next?

When you have a lot of ideas for applications, then you may find yourself in a serious dilemma, which one should you start working on? Solve the following questions for yourself:

• What is the easiest idea to bring to life?

Everything ingenious is simple. You can always make adjustments later. But make the original version as clear as possible! Firstly, it will be easier for you to test it, and secondly, you will save a lot of money.

• What idea is feasible in the shortest possible time?

Release dates are very important to a product. You have to release the product, get feedback on it, fix bugs, and make the next release. Work on one product can take from several months to a year. Don't waste too much time before release. Get to market faster!

• For which application can you quickly find users?

Are you a restaurant owner? Then a food tech start-up is a great idea for you, and you can secure your long-term success. Many startups are "deflated" because they can't find their audience. You will eliminate many risks if you quickly find your first 50-100 users.