Should I Build It Should I Build It
10 Apr 2025
Startup Lessons

A website that allows users to check if their startup idea is worth ...

...building

Confidence
Engagement
Net use signal
Net buy signal

Idea type: Freemium

People love using similar products but resist paying. You’ll need to either find who will pay or create additional value that’s worth paying for.

Should You Build It?

Build but think about differentiation and monetization.

Your are here

You're stepping into a crowded market with your idea validation website, as evidenced by the 19 similar products we found. This high number indicates significant competition, but also confirms that there's a recognized need for such a service. The medium engagement (avg 6 comments) across these similar products suggests that while people are interested, they might not be deeply invested. Since the Idea Category is Freemium that means that users like the idea of validating their startup idea but will probably resist paying for it. Considering this, you need to figure out who will pay or offer additional value that is worth paying for, and you MUST consider that the similar product launches were criticized for UX issues, authentication problems and lack of free trials. Stand out by solving these problems!

Recommendations

  1. Given the 'Freemium' categorization, focus on identifying which user segments derive the most value from the free version of your idea validation tool. Understand their pain points and usage patterns to inform the development of premium features.
  2. Based on the criticisms of similar products, prioritize a seamless user experience (UX) and robust authentication methods. Address concerns about data security and potential idea theft head-on, ensuring users feel safe sharing their ideas on your platform. Use data encryption methods.
  3. Develop premium features that cater to the needs of those high-value users, offering more in-depth analysis, personalized feedback, or advanced market research capabilities. Consider features like competitor analysis, detailed market sizing, or even connections to potential investors.
  4. Given the comments about lacking free trials, implement a free trial or freemium model that provides limited access to premium features. This allows potential customers to experience the value of your tool before committing to a purchase. Make it seamless.
  5. Explore offering team-based pricing, as suggested in the category recommendations. Larger organizations or teams working on multiple ideas may be more willing to pay for a comprehensive validation tool. This could include collaborative features or team-specific reports.
  6. Based on the discussion summaries, provide personalized help or consulting services as a premium offering. Some users might benefit from expert guidance to interpret the validation results and refine their ideas further. This adds a human element that complements the automated tool.
  7. Test different pricing strategies with smaller user groups. A/B test different pricing tiers and feature sets to find the optimal balance between value and revenue. Pay special attention to the perceived value relative to the cost.
  8. Address the criticism regarding the lack of guidance for users to develop their ideas further. Incorporate prompts or suggestions within the tool to help users iterate on their concepts and refine their business models.
  9. Consider integrating feedback loops, as suggested by users of similar products. Allow users to provide feedback on the validation results and contribute to the improvement of the tool's accuracy and usefulness. Use the wisdom of the crowds.
  10. Closely monitor user feedback and iterate on your product based on real-world usage and pain points. Address any UX issues, bugs, or concerns about data security promptly to maintain user trust and satisfaction.

Questions

  1. Given the freemium nature of the market, what specific premium features will you offer that justify a paid subscription and create a clear value proposition for users beyond basic idea validation?
  2. Considering the criticism about potential 'idea harvesting' in similar tools, how will you ensure user privacy and data security to build trust and encourage users to share their startup ideas on your platform?
  3. With several similar products already available, how will you differentiate your offering to stand out from the competition and capture a significant share of the market, especially given the need for differentiation expressed by the Idea Category?

Your are here

You're stepping into a crowded market with your idea validation website, as evidenced by the 19 similar products we found. This high number indicates significant competition, but also confirms that there's a recognized need for such a service. The medium engagement (avg 6 comments) across these similar products suggests that while people are interested, they might not be deeply invested. Since the Idea Category is Freemium that means that users like the idea of validating their startup idea but will probably resist paying for it. Considering this, you need to figure out who will pay or offer additional value that is worth paying for, and you MUST consider that the similar product launches were criticized for UX issues, authentication problems and lack of free trials. Stand out by solving these problems!

Recommendations

  1. Given the 'Freemium' categorization, focus on identifying which user segments derive the most value from the free version of your idea validation tool. Understand their pain points and usage patterns to inform the development of premium features.
  2. Based on the criticisms of similar products, prioritize a seamless user experience (UX) and robust authentication methods. Address concerns about data security and potential idea theft head-on, ensuring users feel safe sharing their ideas on your platform. Use data encryption methods.
  3. Develop premium features that cater to the needs of those high-value users, offering more in-depth analysis, personalized feedback, or advanced market research capabilities. Consider features like competitor analysis, detailed market sizing, or even connections to potential investors.
  4. Given the comments about lacking free trials, implement a free trial or freemium model that provides limited access to premium features. This allows potential customers to experience the value of your tool before committing to a purchase. Make it seamless.
  5. Explore offering team-based pricing, as suggested in the category recommendations. Larger organizations or teams working on multiple ideas may be more willing to pay for a comprehensive validation tool. This could include collaborative features or team-specific reports.
  6. Based on the discussion summaries, provide personalized help or consulting services as a premium offering. Some users might benefit from expert guidance to interpret the validation results and refine their ideas further. This adds a human element that complements the automated tool.
  7. Test different pricing strategies with smaller user groups. A/B test different pricing tiers and feature sets to find the optimal balance between value and revenue. Pay special attention to the perceived value relative to the cost.
  8. Address the criticism regarding the lack of guidance for users to develop their ideas further. Incorporate prompts or suggestions within the tool to help users iterate on their concepts and refine their business models.
  9. Consider integrating feedback loops, as suggested by users of similar products. Allow users to provide feedback on the validation results and contribute to the improvement of the tool's accuracy and usefulness. Use the wisdom of the crowds.
  10. Closely monitor user feedback and iterate on your product based on real-world usage and pain points. Address any UX issues, bugs, or concerns about data security promptly to maintain user trust and satisfaction.

Questions

  1. Given the freemium nature of the market, what specific premium features will you offer that justify a paid subscription and create a clear value proposition for users beyond basic idea validation?
  2. Considering the criticism about potential 'idea harvesting' in similar tools, how will you ensure user privacy and data security to build trust and encourage users to share their startup ideas on your platform?
  3. With several similar products already available, how will you differentiate your offering to stand out from the competition and capture a significant share of the market, especially given the need for differentiation expressed by the Idea Category?

  • Confidence: High
    • Number of similar products: 19
  • Engagement: Medium
    • Average number of comments: 6
  • Net use signal: 13.2%
    • Positive use signal: 20.8%
    • Negative use signal: 7.6%
  • Net buy signal: -4.4%
    • Positive buy signal: 0.9%
    • Negative buy signal: 5.4%

This chart summarizes all the similar products we found for your idea in a single plot.

The x-axis represents the overall feedback each product received. This is calculated from the net use and buy signals that were expressed in the comments. The maximum is +1, which means all comments (across all similar products) were positive, expressed a willingness to use & buy said product. The minimum is -1 and it means the exact opposite.

The y-axis captures the strength of the signal, i.e. how many people commented and how does this rank against other products in this category. The maximum is +1, which means these products were the most liked, upvoted and talked about launches recently. The minimum is 0, meaning zero engagement or feedback was received.

The sizes of the product dots are determined by the relevance to your idea, where 10 is the maximum.

Your idea is the big blueish dot, which should lie somewhere in the polygon defined by these products. It can be off-center because we use custom weighting to summarize these metrics.

Similar products

Relevance

Percepto - Does your start-up idea meet winning criteria?

19 Apr 2024 SaaS Startup Lessons Business

Simply enter your idea, select a checklist. Our tool will evaluate your idea in under 30 seconds comparing your idea against winning checklists by Paul Graham and other successful founders/.

Users generally reacted positively to the Product Hunt launch, praising the second screen and checklist options. One user suggested adding a prompt to further develop the idea. There was enthusiastic approval, with users describing the product as "super cool!" and expressing their love for it.

The primary criticism is the lack of guidance for users to develop their ideas further. A prompt or additional support is needed to facilitate idea generation and expansion within the platform.

Avatar
79
3
33.3%
3
79
33.3%
Relevance

Validator - Analyze & unlock the potential of your startup idea

16 Jun 2023 Artificial Intelligence SaaS Analytics

Want to know if your startup ideas have potential? Validator helps you analyze and rate your ideas, providing a comprehensive overview of their market viability. Get actionable data-driven insights to filter, refine and enhance your ideas.

The product launch is being congratulated, with users highlighting it as a useful tool and a powerful feedback mechanism for serial entrepreneurs. A potential user has expressed interest in a free trial to evaluate the product before purchasing.

A key criticism is the absence of a free trial. Users suggest offering a free version, even if limited, to allow potential customers to evaluate the product before committing to a purchase. This lack of a trial period may deter some users from trying the product.

Avatar
78
3
33.3%
3
78
33.3%
Relevance

Validea - Validate startup idea in just 110 seconds

02 Jun 2024 Artificial Intelligence Web App Startup Lessons

AI idea validator that will provide score, list of competitors, list of users spots, marketing plan, guide to MVP/Product, and legal considerations for your next startup idea

Validea's Product Hunt launch received positive feedback, with users praising its potential to streamline startup validation and save time. Several users highlighted the need for improvements in UX/UI, authentication, and bug fixes. Some expressed concerns about data security, potential idea theft, and the accuracy of market research. Suggestions included integrating feedback loops, adding product reviews, offering a trial period, and clarifying the meaning of the validation scores. Users are eager to try the product, especially for quick project validation.

Users criticized the Product Hunt launch for lacking proper authentication and having UX/UI issues. Concerns were raised about missing pricing information and the absence of user reviews on the landing page. The app's validation process was seen as endless. There were also expressed fears of idea theft, and uncertainty about its underlying mechanisms. Highlighting scaling difficulties and founder experience, as well as offering a trial before account creation, were suggested improvements.

Avatar
274
33
39.4%
3.0%
33
274
39.4%
3.0%
Relevance

LaunchLogs -Save time on startup journey - Business idea validation in seconds

10 Jul 2024 Artificial Intelligence Notes Business Intelligence

Explain your startup idea as if you are taking a note. Tap "enhance" button and that is it. - Analyse and meet your current competitors. - Analyse latest popularity and competition trends on your idea. - Deep dive and dissect actual pain points of the people.

Users are interested in Studiobit's audio quality, specifically regarding external audio support. There's a request for real-time analytics integration during live streams. Some users also want to know more about Studiobit's audience engagement features that extend beyond basic chat functionalities.

Avatar
15
3
3
15
Relevance

Startup Idea Tester - Test your idea in days not months

03 Mar 2024 SaaS Developer Tools Marketing

Startup Idea Tester is here to revolutionize the way you validate your business ideas. Designed for founders with a lot of ideas, this powerful boilerplate allows you to focus on the marketing aspects and starting getting quickly emails with a waitlist system.

The Product Hunt launch received positive feedback and congratulations from multiple users. Several users specifically wished good luck and success. One user highlighted the product's potential as a beneficial jumpstart kit, while another expressed general appreciation. A single comment voiced doubts about the trustworthiness of customer testimonials but still acknowledged the launch with congratulations. Overall, the sentiment is positive and supportive.

The primary criticism revolves around the perceived lack of trustworthiness in customer testimonials. Users express skepticism about the authenticity and reliability of the presented endorsements, potentially undermining confidence in the product or service.

Avatar
107
8
8
107
Relevance

I made a site to save you 6 months before building your startup

11 Jun 2024 Productivity Marketing

Hello,I've launched about 13 startups now, and all of them failed because I was trying to solve problems that didn't exist.Thus, I've come up with an idea: every time I start a new venture, I'll check my idea with SEO keywords to see if people are searching for the problem or not.Would like to know your thought about the product.

Avatar
3
3
Relevance

I'm building an app where you can validate your startup ideas

24 Aug 2024 Tech

I've launched two other startups this year, without validating the idea or requesting feedback on them. Got 0 interest as a result, they failed flat on their face.This experience led me to learn more about startup product validation, but I had a problem: where do I find the users of my product and how can I contact them?Why shouldn't this be easy, why not have a centralized platform that can connect the person with the idea with potential users and get validation before committing.The startup is called PitchPeers. It's work in progress, but you can join the waitlist.If you have any feedback, I would love to hear it. Thanks!

Avatar
3
3
Relevance

I made tool to let founders to research their idea through SEO keyword

03 Jun 2024 SEO Productivity

Since i always waste time to build app that nobody wants, i have made this free tool to let Start up founders to research their idea through SEO keyword before wasting 3 to 6 months building start up nobody wants. I hope it helps everyone here.

Users have noted that the tool has a modal pop-up that obstructs the screen and asks for money. Additionally, the tool is designed to focus on long-tail keywords in English markets.

Users criticized the product for feeling like idea harvesting and found the initial pop-up disturbing.

Avatar
2
2
0.0%
-50.0%
2
2
50.0%
Relevance

I made an AI startup idea validator. featuring Reddit analysis

27 May 2024 Artificial Intelligence

Hey HN,I built Yazero, my first app.You can use it to:- Analyze the market, competition, etc. quickly- Perform Reddit analysis (paid)- Manage and share your ideasI will be grateful for any and all feedback, but especially on the validation part, and suggestions (features, improvements) for the community page.Adam

Introduced Yazero app for market and Reddit analysis.

Needs feedback on validation and community page.

Avatar
2
1
1
2
Relevance

Idea Spark - Handy tool that will help solopreneurs validate ideas

01 May 2024 Growth Hacking Productivity Developer Tools

Idea Spark is the perfect tool to discover and evaluate new app ideas with a smart validation system.

The Product Hunt launch received generally positive feedback, with users congratulating the team and expressing excitement. Many users, particularly indie makers and solopreneurs, found the product useful for validating ideas and saving time in discovery and development. Several users loved the app immediately after downloading. Some users requested more explanation on usage and a data export feature due to data lock-in concerns. One user pointed out typos on the landing page, while another suggested collaboration.

Users criticized the product for its poor UX, citing too many unnecessary input fields and the absence of B2B/B2C options. A lack of export functionality was also noted as a significant drawback. Furthermore, typos and grammatical errors on the landing page detracted from the user experience.

Avatar
263
18
33.3%
18
263
33.3%
Relevance

StartupRoasters – Brutally honest feedback to help you refine your idea

24 Sep 2023 SaaS

Hey HN, Today I'm launching StartupRoasters.com a community of people that give Brutally Honest Feedback to anything from a business idea, a Youtube video, a website...In today's internet, I feel like getting feedback to one's projects is tough because most online communities slaughter anyone who posts their own work stating that it's self-promotion and spam.That's why I built StartupRoasters.com where anyone can post their work and get feedback. You can even add a survey to your post so that people answer specific questions and make votes.The obvious issue is that everyone is just going to post their work and not care about the others. The solution I found was to implement a points system. You need 100 points to create a new post about your project and to get points, you need to review projects from others, get upvotes, comment...Thereby, everyone needs to contribute to get feedback on their own work.I hope this community will grow and be helpful to people in improving their work. Cheers, Yassine (@ybouane)

Avatar
2
2
Relevance

I made a tool to help collect and validate startup ideas

14 Aug 2024 Artificial Intelligence Productivity

Hey HN, I’m Kyrylo. I recently created a small tool that lets you gather, refine, and validate SaaS/startup ideas using AI. I used to jot down my product ideas in a note apps, but it wasn’t very practical for collecting feedback or refining them. So, I built this tool to make the process easier.Here’s how it works:1. Enter a brief description of your idea. 2. The app uses AI to generate project details. 3. Share your idea via a link that includes a feedback form.It’s pretty straightforward, and I’d love to hear your thoughts or any suggestions!

Users commented on a variety of Show HN products/services, from FuneralDash for funeral planning to WeatherBet for weather betting. Some expressed skepticism about AI and preferred human validation or existing tools like Google Docs. There were concerns about age limitations, licensing, and the effectiveness of some ideas. Innovative concepts like Antimatter warp engines and video conferencing toilets were mentioned, as well as a crowdfunding platform for political lobbying. Users also discussed the potential of IdeaCapturePro and AdPaw Hat for monetization. The landing page and Pieter Levels were praised, while some comments were sarcastic or protective of their ideas.

Users expressed skepticism about AI's effectiveness for the service, likened it to Google Docs, and questioned its originality and clarity in solving problems. Concerns about idea theft, arbitrary restrictions, and the platform's tone were noted. The 'world domination' goal was criticized as unclear and inappropriate. Users found the Q&A format unsuitable for brainstorming and were puzzled by the public nature of the platform. Criticisms also included a lack of features, differentiation, and creativity, as well as issues with idea rejection and selection criteria. The sign-up process was faulted for not saving initial ideas.

Avatar
38
32
-25.0%
-18.8%
32
38
3.1%
Top