Do you struggle with getting early feedback for your newborn app?

Question

With all my side projects and even the ones I was working on for different startups I always struggle with getting early feedback, its critical cuz I don't want to waste time on something nobody wants to use. Especially when the app in very early stage and you are not ready to lunch on PH for example. Sharing with friends is not really effective since they are not 100% objective.

Do you have this issue? how do you collect constructive feedback from your early users?

Andrew Arri · Accepted Answer

Hi Jamal, I usually do it in 3 steps. First you have to ask if that feature your working on is essential to the result of the product. If not, put it in the backburner until ready to dedicate essential time to it.

Second, if you're looking for feedback, go to the target market directly. Enroll in a forum, look at comments of similar apps etc. Identify the question you're trying to answer and look around for the answer through that lens. You dont need direct feedback if you find the answer in someone else's review.

Third, If you have got some users just ask them directly. They're already using your app right? So they are most likely willing to give feedback on it. If not, have an incentive in exchange of that feedback.

Thats how I usually early validate and most of the time it works.

Jamal Mashal · Answer

@avi_parshan I feel you.
This month I started investing more time building online presence and community on twitter and IH

Max V · Answer

Funny, I've just finished writing an article on validating a very similar idea with Lean Canvas.

https://www.producthunt.com/@fluffypony/goals/72305

@jamalx31, interested to know what you think. And feel free to ping me if you need feedback on your apps and ideas.

babatunde ayeni · Answer

@jamalx31 ok

babatunde ayeni · Answer

Seriously its a very hard task to get early feedbacks. But i suggest before one build an app, one actually need to first look for problems people are having.. real problems

Jamal Mashal · Answer

@fluffypony yup my bad. today I finished the Ship page and gonna update the README tonight. basically the MVP is a self-hosted app that allows you to add a widget (a little circle) to your website where ppl can leave you feedback with a screenshot. I'm gonna deploy a demo to make it easier for ppl to try it out and give feedback :)

Also I'm thinking of a way to leave comments on your website similar to how google docs works

Avi Parshan · Answer

My issue is finding people that are interested in the idea, and would use it in their day to day lives. I don't want a random beta user who isn't in the intended audience of my app or product.

Max V · Answer

@jamalx31 I couldn't understand what the product does. Posted an issue with some suggestions on GitHub.

Avi Parshan · Answer

@jamalx31 No, my issue is with finding people who would be interested in purchasing my app and giving me feedback. Even if my app is free, most people won't want to install it... I posted on PH but get under 100 upvotes and it doesn't help with downloads, reddit was decent, and indiehackers aren't interested

Jamal Mashal · Answer

@fluffypony oh how cool. would love to read your article if it's ready.
Actually that questions made me start working on my first open source project and would love to get some feedback from your side. 
https://www.producthunt.com/upcoming/moufette
https://github.com/moufette-tools/moufette

Jamal Mashal · Answer

@arrix42 Thanks Andrew for the tips.
I believe I do steps #1 and #2
my issue with #3 when you don't have users yet, and activity collect feedback.

I built something couple weeks ago and the first time I shared it with friends I almost got no useful feedback and nobody actually hit the sign up btn. So spontaneously I decided to include a built in widget to ask for feedback before I shared it the 2nd time. I was surprised how great the feedback was. And that why I started working on my next open source project. a tool to help makers to collect feedback in an effective way.
frankly now I'm at square one gain since I need to validate this tool by using the tool itself :D .. here is a link for it https://www.producthunt.com/upcoming/moufette

I would appreciate any feedback and tips
cheers

Jamal Mashal · Answer

@babatunde_ayeni well I faced the problem and that's why I starting to build a sol around it. I came up with this Moufette
https://github.com/moufette-tools/moufette

would appreciate any feedback

Jamal Mashal · Answer

@avi_parshan don't you think its relatively easy to find those users if you already know whom you are targeting? like with online communities like PH, indiehackers, reddit etc it hasn't been easier to reach your potential target audience. 
I believe the issue is not finding them but 1. actually making them try your app and 2. give you the feedback you need to move forward

Do you struggle with getting early feedback for your newborn app?

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