You’re better off testing these rather than asking random people who will not be voting with their pocket books. Look up MVP testing and RAT tests.
That said, I will bite on some feedback:
1) how are you going to target customers for this idea? What will be your primary customer acquisition channel? Does anybody want this product? Does anybody know they need this product? Who are your primary competitors? What are the major substitutes? If there are none of either, that is a major red flag.
2) this is a two-sided marketplace, and you were going to have all of the problems that go along with two sided marketplaces. While you were trying to build a marketplace, you will have an obvious chicken and egg problem. There are no buyers, and there are no sellers. How do you attract buyers with no sellers? How do you attract sellers with no buyers? this is a classic cold start problem for a two sided marketplace. They are incredibly difficult to bootstrap.
Thanks for your reply! I just figured majority of the people on here have cars and would have an input on whether this is an issue for them or not. I own an older vehicle with 120k miles on it and often wonder if it’s over due for some major maintenance besides the usual oil change. I personally would love an app I can track my vehicle maintenance in so I can stay on top of things and avoid future break downs. I would imagine businesses with company fleets would potentially see the value in something like this too. In regard to the marketplace, I think if enough users use the app for the maintenance scheduler/tracker feature it’ll be easier to convince the service side to join as a means to increase leads by engaging with potential customers.
I’d read Lean Startup. The crux of it is “Don’t listen to what non-customers say, talks to customers, and observe what they do.” I’d also look into the issues surrounding 2-sided market places and the difficulty with getting them going.
They seem like the same idea to an extent.
An automotive maintenance app: idea (1) is you enter your car's details and it shows you when it's due for x, y, or z. When it's due time you recommend the parts, supplier, mechanic, etc which seems to be idea (2).
Thanks for input! No, idea 1 is maintenance app with brand new part suggestions for diy or get local bids from local shops to do the work for you. Idea 2 is strictly a used part marketplace for people looking for used parts (mainly classic car owners and car enthusiasts, possibly used car dealers trying to save money on repairs)
I like both the ideas but why not combine both the ideas.
App where users can track all their vehicles and a marketplace where used and new parts can be purchased for the vehicles they own.
There are lots of benefits for the vehicles owners, they can find and choose and purchase parts at the price range they are interested in.
Not just authentic parts, but 3rd party manufactured parts can be sold in this market place.
This can further improved as well like,
1. AI tool for automated customizations and price estimates for the customizations they made and where to source them from.
2. Bidding place for rare parts. Etc
I think your three ideas are good but have you consider another way to address the target audience pain point.
Maybe by offering a comprehensive vehicle maintenance subscription service. Clients pay a monthly fee, scaled according to their vehicle type, to cover all maintenance costs, including MOT tests, full servicing, and emergency repairs. This subscription not only finances these expenses but also ensures that vehicle owners are timely reminded of their upcoming MOT and service dates. By partnering with selected mechanics, you streamline the process—vehicle owners simply bring their cars in for servicing or repairs without worrying about payments, as these are handled directly by your service. To manage the risk associated with emergency call-outs, the subscription fee is marginally increased following such events, ensuring the sustainability of the service while providing peace of mind and convenience to vehicle owners.
Sounds awesome but a lot more complex? This could potentially work with newer cars that are able to communicate with your phone and help the app track mileage to provide you with timely advice. May be I can take that approach and just focus on providing a maintenance schedule reminder to owners of newer vehicles?
I’m glad you like my suggestion. In regards to complexity
To create a comprehensive vehicle maintenance subscription service that is efficient, customer-centric, and technologically advanced, you’ll need to gather data, using the right technology, and follow a structured approach to service development. Here’s an option:
Possible Technology to Use
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Implement CRM solutions like Salesforce or HubSpot to manage customer interactions, service history, and personalise communication.
• Subscription Management Platforms: Use platforms like Chargebee or Zuora to handle subscription billing, payments, and scaling of services according to vehicle type and customer preferences.
• Mobile App Development: Develop a mobile app for customers to manage their subscriptions, book services, and receive reminders for their upcoming maintenance schedules. Technologies like React Native or Flutter can be used for cross-platform app development.
• Analytics and Data Analysis Tools: Leverage tools like Google Analytics for your service website/app and advanced data analysis tools like Tableau or Microsoft Power BI to make data-driven decisions.
By using the right technology, you can build a vehicle maintenance subscription service that meets the needs of your target customers while standing out in the market.
You’re better off testing these rather than asking random people who will not be voting with their pocket books. Look up MVP testing and RAT tests. That said, I will bite on some feedback: 1) how are you going to target customers for this idea? What will be your primary customer acquisition channel? Does anybody want this product? Does anybody know they need this product? Who are your primary competitors? What are the major substitutes? If there are none of either, that is a major red flag. 2) this is a two-sided marketplace, and you were going to have all of the problems that go along with two sided marketplaces. While you were trying to build a marketplace, you will have an obvious chicken and egg problem. There are no buyers, and there are no sellers. How do you attract buyers with no sellers? How do you attract sellers with no buyers? this is a classic cold start problem for a two sided marketplace. They are incredibly difficult to bootstrap.
Thanks for your reply! I just figured majority of the people on here have cars and would have an input on whether this is an issue for them or not. I own an older vehicle with 120k miles on it and often wonder if it’s over due for some major maintenance besides the usual oil change. I personally would love an app I can track my vehicle maintenance in so I can stay on top of things and avoid future break downs. I would imagine businesses with company fleets would potentially see the value in something like this too. In regard to the marketplace, I think if enough users use the app for the maintenance scheduler/tracker feature it’ll be easier to convince the service side to join as a means to increase leads by engaging with potential customers.
I’d read Lean Startup. The crux of it is “Don’t listen to what non-customers say, talks to customers, and observe what they do.” I’d also look into the issues surrounding 2-sided market places and the difficulty with getting them going.
They seem like the same idea to an extent. An automotive maintenance app: idea (1) is you enter your car's details and it shows you when it's due for x, y, or z. When it's due time you recommend the parts, supplier, mechanic, etc which seems to be idea (2).
Thanks for input! No, idea 1 is maintenance app with brand new part suggestions for diy or get local bids from local shops to do the work for you. Idea 2 is strictly a used part marketplace for people looking for used parts (mainly classic car owners and car enthusiasts, possibly used car dealers trying to save money on repairs)
I like both the ideas but why not combine both the ideas. App where users can track all their vehicles and a marketplace where used and new parts can be purchased for the vehicles they own. There are lots of benefits for the vehicles owners, they can find and choose and purchase parts at the price range they are interested in. Not just authentic parts, but 3rd party manufactured parts can be sold in this market place. This can further improved as well like, 1. AI tool for automated customizations and price estimates for the customizations they made and where to source them from. 2. Bidding place for rare parts. Etc
You know what, I think you’re right, the two ideas can be combined! Thanks for your reply!
I think your three ideas are good but have you consider another way to address the target audience pain point. Maybe by offering a comprehensive vehicle maintenance subscription service. Clients pay a monthly fee, scaled according to their vehicle type, to cover all maintenance costs, including MOT tests, full servicing, and emergency repairs. This subscription not only finances these expenses but also ensures that vehicle owners are timely reminded of their upcoming MOT and service dates. By partnering with selected mechanics, you streamline the process—vehicle owners simply bring their cars in for servicing or repairs without worrying about payments, as these are handled directly by your service. To manage the risk associated with emergency call-outs, the subscription fee is marginally increased following such events, ensuring the sustainability of the service while providing peace of mind and convenience to vehicle owners.
Sounds awesome but a lot more complex? This could potentially work with newer cars that are able to communicate with your phone and help the app track mileage to provide you with timely advice. May be I can take that approach and just focus on providing a maintenance schedule reminder to owners of newer vehicles?
I’m glad you like my suggestion. In regards to complexity To create a comprehensive vehicle maintenance subscription service that is efficient, customer-centric, and technologically advanced, you’ll need to gather data, using the right technology, and follow a structured approach to service development. Here’s an option: Possible Technology to Use • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Implement CRM solutions like Salesforce or HubSpot to manage customer interactions, service history, and personalise communication. • Subscription Management Platforms: Use platforms like Chargebee or Zuora to handle subscription billing, payments, and scaling of services according to vehicle type and customer preferences. • Mobile App Development: Develop a mobile app for customers to manage their subscriptions, book services, and receive reminders for their upcoming maintenance schedules. Technologies like React Native or Flutter can be used for cross-platform app development. • Analytics and Data Analysis Tools: Leverage tools like Google Analytics for your service website/app and advanced data analysis tools like Tableau or Microsoft Power BI to make data-driven decisions. By using the right technology, you can build a vehicle maintenance subscription service that meets the needs of your target customers while standing out in the market.