There are different definitions for startups from different perspectives. However, what they all have in common is a creative idea that finds a way to earn money from the daily needs of society and brings it to market.
As a matter of fact, a startup is an inchoate business that is based on an idea aiming to meet a prevalent, frequent need for a large population of users. Using the Internet and other modern technologies, these businesses try to integrate resources and facilities in a simple and accessible platform for their customers. The customer or user can meet their daily needs in a much simpler way than before. In other words, a startup is a business to fulfill this dream: “I wish that thing could be done with the push of a button.”
Some ideas are so creative and profitable that investors are competing to invest in them. However, having a creative idea is not enough to build a successful and growing startup. There are many brilliant ideas that do not find their way to the market because their experience is not inadequate or sometimes the ideas are not sustainable enough to remain in the market.
In this article, we have tried to explain the steps of starting a startup in a simple language. If you have a creative idea and are looking to turn it into a new business, this article could be your guide.
Idea
From the beginning of creation until now, man has always sought to facilitate the daily affairs of his life and has been creative for it. A chain of new needs, new findings, and access to new facilities and abilities has put human beings on the path of innovation and meeting needs more easily. Today’s businesses are also based on the idea of meeting people’s daily needs in the easiest and fastest way, which can now be achieved thanks to new technologies.
The majority of new ideas have one or two features in common that is mobility and crowdsourcing, which are based on the Internet, especially the mobile Internet.
These two features make the user and the skilled workforce as accessible as possible. On the other hand, crowdsourcing has made the cost of service more affordable for the users.
New business ideas can come in many forms. First, it meets the traditional and former needs of citizens in a newer and easier way. Second, new needs are created in everyday life that can be met with the advancement of technology. The third case, which requires more creativity, is an idea that can highlight a need through people’s daily behaviors and start a business with which users are satisfied and become customers.
These ideas come from contemplating the small and big problems of everyday life. Problems that we may have come to terms with out of habit and do not notice at all; Let alone think of a solution. As soon as someone finds a solution for it, we tell ourselves what a brilliant idea, how it did not cross our minds! That idea can solve the problem of a large population. In this case, the idea has the potential to become a business.
The point that is less considered is choosing the right name for the startup. Remember that the first impression your business makes on the customer is the name you choose for it. Try to be extremely creative in choosing the name of your startup. Short and attractive names that are easily pronounced can be good options for your startup. Although these names may seem meaningless at the first glance, they can easily fit in the minds of users. There are also applications that choose the right name for startups, websites, and companies. As an example, DeepNamer.com is one of these references, which works as simple as Google search. You can type a description of your business in it so that it can offer you attractive names with registerable domains using artificial intelligence. That is, free domains which have not been previously purchased by other users.
Idea Evaluation
If you find your idea useful and effective, go into detail and examine the idea more closely. The more you spend time on studying, researching, and consulting, the more you reduce your financial loss and potential failure, and increase your chances of success. You need to know the customer of your product and service well enough and how to interact with them. Even people who influence your customers are part of your target community.
Talk directly to your business audience. Know their needs and adapt them to your idea. The customer needs may be different from your mindset or your audience may see aspects of your idea that you are unaware of. So, talk to your current audience and future customers without worrying about your idea being stolen. Ask them the following questions:
- How often do you encounter this problem or need?
- What do you do to solve this problem?
- How much does this problem cost you?
- Are you willing to pay to solve this problem? How much does fixing this problem cost you and how much do you pay for it?
- Have you found a solution to your problem or need? How effective has that solution been?
- Finally, ask your audience to imagine and suggest a solution to their needs. For example, hitting a button, clicking or tapping and solving the problem.
Also look for startups or companies that are based on an idea similar to yours; Even if there is a startup whose service is somewhat similar to your idea. Your idea may be an integration of several services provided by others. Write down the service features of other companies and identify your similarities and differences with them. See what competitive advantage you can offer the customer over other competitors. An unwritten rule states that your product must be 20 times better than similar products that are already on the market in order to attract customers and to be successful. This is where your business thrives.