Seth Godin has a list of questions to help you evaluate your startup idea.
– How will you get new paying customers?
– Why will your paying customers tell their friends and colleagues?
– Will this business work at a scale that you can both achieve and are happy living with?
– Is it easy to start?
– If it is, what will keep others from starting it?
– How do you avoid a race to the bottom where you’re trapped making a cheap commodity as a middleperson?
– Will it get easier as you go? Why?
– What incentive do customers have to stick with you instead of switching to a cheaper or more convenient choice?
– How will you get new paying customers?
– Why will your paying customers tell their friends and colleagues?
– Will this business work at a scale that you can both achieve and are happy living with?
– Is it easy to start?
– If it is, what will keep others from starting it?
– How do you avoid a race to the bottom where you’re trapped making a cheap commodity as a middleperson?
– Will it get easier as you go? Why?
– What incentive do customers have to stick with you instead of switching to a cheaper or more convenient choice?