Software is a set of computer programs, procedures, algorithms and its documentation.
234
votes
7answers
139k views
Forming a new software startup, how do I allocate ownership fairly?
I have come up with an idea for a new social networking application. It's not something I expect to be hugely successful, but I think it does have some potential. I've approached a few close friends ...
30
votes
25answers
2k views
Useful Free or Low Cost Software Applications for Business
I recently learned about and started using Xobni to use with Outlook to manage my contacts and email. I find it really helpful. I also know many companies and organizations use Constant Contact for ...
22
votes
25answers
2k views
What's more important: releasing early or getting it right?
From your point of view and experience, what is more important when you are building a web based app:
release ASAP (eventhough it might not follow best practices) or
release it rather late as long ...
22
votes
8answers
2k views
How to start a software company?
I have an idea in my mind, for this idea I want to invest more time and money in making it a fully developed product.
So far, whatever small software products I have created are for a small niche and ...
20
votes
10answers
3k views
Is Micropreneur Academy worth it?
Is Micropreneur Academy worth it? Any members on this site? Also, what does it cost?
Background:
I read the 'Software by Rob' blog and think he has some very good advice for the whole micro-ISV ...
17
votes
11answers
1k views
Do I launch website now or wait for my application to be v1.0?
I'm in the process of developing a desktop application and I expect the first version to be finished by mid-march 2010. I have purchased the domain name and I'm very happy with the one I've got. My ...
15
votes
13answers
941 views
Lite Version or Trial?
Our product (desktop software, not SaaS) price is about $1000. Shall we cut features and release a free lite version or just a trial with all features for a limited time?
I see that lite version can ...
15
votes
9answers
1k views
Have the ideas, found the niche…what to do first?
I have found two completely seaprate niches, and identified the target markets for them both. I have comprehensive ideas and details on how the applications should work. I have a developer that I ...
15
votes
7answers
8k views
How big software companies get projects?
When a big business tycoon opens a software companies, they get projects of millions of dollars, and the company is always flooded with projects. While if it is a startup that initiates from a room, ...
14
votes
11answers
2k views
Is StartUpToDo.com worth it?
Is StartUpToDo.com worth it?
Any members on this site?
The landing page is has really sold me, except that I have my doubts about whether following a recipe is the right way to go for starting a ...
14
votes
1answer
946 views
How much should we charge for an IT job?
The scenario
We just got our very first medium/large size client.
They are opening a new company which operates around a web application that will be entirely developed and maintained by us.
We ...
14
votes
6answers
786 views
Software consultants VS Software houses profitability
Let me preface by providing a specific definition of the two types of companies I am interested in.
Consultants: Software companies that generally provide their services on an hourly basis to create ...
14
votes
3answers
727 views
Overbudget and unable to complete software contract. What can I do and what can I expect to happen?
This might be a slightly long story, but I really would appreciate any help you can give me here. I am a young entrepreneur and currently run a struggling website development / software company.
...
13
votes
23answers
2k views
Project management software
My, to put it mildly, understaffed and overworked startup is trying hard to not reinvent the wheel and outsource as much tasks as possible. So we are currently on the look out for a great project ...
12
votes
2answers
363 views
Sales pipelines. Should you only have 1 in a B2B software development company?
So you understand our scope: We are a custom software development company who have 2 primary markets
Mid sized companies who have ongoing internal needs for automation
...
11
votes
4answers
1k views
Developer, offered share in small startup company in return for large rate reduction - advice needed
I currently work freelance as the sole software engineer for a small but promising startup company. I've been working with them for a several months, converting their "demo ware" software into ...
11
votes
8answers
865 views
Software Licensing/Copy Protection - DIY or Buy?
As an ISV/software publisher, would you produce your own licensing/copy protection solution, or would you buy into a professional solution?
Which route would you choose and why?
11
votes
15answers
3k views
CRM / lead management software?
Can anyone recommend CRM / lead management software?
We have a bunch of customer leads, and managing them using a Google doc is getting unwieldy.
We are looking for an inexpensive solution, ...
11
votes
6answers
3k views
What is the Best Landing Page Service? (Performable vs. HubSpot vs. Unbounce vs. ??)
I'm curious as to what the everyone thinks the "best" landing page services are for a cash-strapped startup.
I'd like your thoughts if you've extensively used (not just poked around with a free ...
10
votes
4answers
243 views
Is it worth using box shots for online product sales?
I am selling professional software B2B online to engineers. Price tag around $1k.
Many online software vendors include an image of their product's packaging, a so-called "box shot". Of course, ...
10
votes
2answers
445 views
Does code-signing a software app improve the conversion rate?
My small software company ships both SaaS and downloadable versions of software. I was wondering if signing the "downloadable" apps with a code-signing certificate will improve conversions?
Well, I ...
10
votes
5answers
344 views
What Press Release Distribution Service Should I Use?
The number of press release services out there is mind boggling.
I am an ISV (Independent Software Vendor) with a niche software program, and I'd like to send out a Press Release to the software ...
9
votes
5answers
426 views
Giving away a software program for free: competitors' responses?
I have a small startup that developed a software program. I've copyrighted the software and am working on patent protection, and I've started some marketing. It has been a very low-cost effort so ...
8
votes
7answers
675 views
Off Shore vs “Self Development”
After being a senior developer for quite a few years (more than 15) I would like to start my own business and implement a product that will be used for financial purpose (it will probably take 4-5 ...
8
votes
10answers
583 views
Would a 1-man operation be better with downloadable or Saas model software?
If you are a 1-man show (to begin with, and want to stay small), would you be better suited to selling downloadable software or would a hosted version be more idea?
With hosted, you don't have to ...
8
votes
4answers
3k views
I created a software product. How and where do I promote it?
So I had an itch to scratch, and out came my startup. Granted it's a simple product, but what it does it does well. Now that it's launched and available for purchase, I'm at a loss for where to ...
8
votes
3answers
500 views
How do minors legally start a business?
I am a fifteen year old Web and iPhone developer. I'm looking to get apps published on the App Store under a business name. So, this leads me to a few questions. (I already have a bought membership).
...
8
votes
4answers
312 views
For alpha/beta testing, should I charge users or pay users?
I'm creating a mobile app for small business wholesalers and the alpha will be finished soon.
I have done some face-to-face market research by visiting trade shows they exhibit in and showing them a ...
8
votes
2answers
4k views
How to market an android application?
My colleagues and I have just completed our first Android app. This is going to be a free multimedia application that can download/preview ringtones and wallpapers to your android.
Now we need to ...
8
votes
1answer
177 views
Are non-developers really having success using Do It Yourself (DIY) or Automated iPhone Development Tools?
I own a small software development company that gets approached regularly by non-technical users who tried unsuccessfully to build their idea into an iPhone app using free (or cheap) automated ...
7
votes
6answers
922 views
I need advice - Lead developer slap in the face
I have been working with a startup for 6 months. It is an advertising company for which there is a very heavy technology portion (I would say 50% of the company is based off of a mobile front-end, and ...
7
votes
8answers
593 views
Launch on a tiny budget
I have a product I'm developing on my own, with no other investors or partners. Via another project I'm developing, I have an IP Waiver and NDA that I can use for the project, I'm using my personal ...
7
votes
6answers
414 views
How can fewer features be better?
Just today I started to get interested in this field and I've started with Getting Real. I kept seeing answers here that recommend it and it also seems trustworthy.
However, one thing I don't get is ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
What concrete steps can I take to make money on the side as a software developer?
I've been working for a few years as a software developer and my career progression is satisfactory. I'm just not making enough money because of the region I live in. Other positions here pay ...
7
votes
4answers
513 views
Should I email existing customers if they didn't 'opt-in' to receive email?
I have about 2000 users of my first product. When they bought (over the past 3 years), I didn't have any checkbox on my order page asking if they wanted to receive notifications or updates from my ...
7
votes
4answers
1k views
How to sell Enterprise software
Some questions related to the selling of Enterprise Software..
It seems the best way to sell to Enterprise companies is to build a solution the customer as a consultant(ie have them pay for building ...
7
votes
4answers
360 views
Creating a Business for Side Programming
I'm an Android developer that has made money over some of the apps I've created in the past year. I have no corporate filing so I am currently considered a sole proprietor in the state of Florida. I ...
7
votes
5answers
642 views
How do you protect your code from a freelancer?
I want to hire a freelancer to fix some bugs on my startup code. How can I protect the code from being stolen?
Thanks
7
votes
2answers
229 views
Need to pick a title as the first technical employee of a startup
I will be the first technical employee of an early-stage startup. I don't have a ton of experience (so something like CTO would look bad and misrepresent me) but I will be doing all the software ...
7
votes
5answers
794 views
what should be in a software license/terms of service/end user license agreement?
I suppose I should find a decent attorney for this, but I'd like to see if I can find some "free" resources first.
My company is about to release a software product (actually bundled together with ...
7
votes
4answers
272 views
Good idea to send beta version of software to bloggers?
I have a software program that I'd like to sell after it's perfected, but I'm in a catch-22 situation; I'm trying to get publicity for the program (in part to attract more free beta users, who I'd ...
7
votes
2answers
202 views
Has anyone sold a “fork” version of their software?
I created a SaaS that became quite popular over the weekend. I had a steady stream of users sign up and many are actually still using it (lots of folks who signed up out of curiosity).
Anyway, I ...
7
votes
2answers
146 views
Feature fatigue
Is it just me or is there such a "diagnoses" as "feature fatigue"? On more than one occasions I noticed that when I am about 75% though new feature development I am starting to stall and my ...
7
votes
4answers
256 views
Is there any websites/community of software early adopters to publish betas?
I'm wondering if there exist any community driven site, to join two kind of people...
Developers creating new software products (web, desktop, mobile) to be reviewed, but not as a paid tesing ...
6
votes
5answers
342 views
Can being too transparent about pricing, too early, actually hurt me?
I am creating a very high end B2B SaaS, subscription based, online product. The person doing my information architecture and I have very differing views on the subject of when pricing tiers should be ...
6
votes
4answers
222 views
How to deal with users expecting a free edition of a software product (when not available)?
I'm working to launch my product in the near future and some guys are asking if there will be a "free" version.
I've read some opinions that discourage the freemium model because canibalizes sales ...
6
votes
9answers
1k views
Contact Management Software for the startup?
I am curious what very small companies and solo types here use for contact management.
What I am going to do with this system is the following. I sell a B2B service. I intend to call businesses and ...
6
votes
5answers
402 views
Is there a place I can go to float my ideas and get feedback?
I have decided to take off an extended period of time and take one of my ideas to market. I have been an independent and very successful developer for over a decade. Bigger than that though I am an ...
6
votes
3answers
173 views
Resellers or Affliates?
What should I consider first, and why?
Setting up a Reseller Program for my software product.
or
Setting up an Affiliate Network for my software product.
6
votes
4answers
215 views
Does expensive software need trial download?
I have the following situation:
My product is enterprise software and costs 50k.
We don´t want our competitors getting their hands on it, so we dont offer a downloadable trial.
A potential client ...
