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Google traffic and AWS are commodities to an extent since they're replaceable. So Heroku and RetailMeNot don't qualify in my book. More importantly though, the
by theGimp 10y ago
Google traffic and AWS are commodities to an extent since they're replaceable. So Heroku and RetailMeNot don't qualify in my book.
More importantly though, the trend is that most companies relying on someone else's platform for survival are cannibalized. A few examples to the contrary don't make it a good idea.
- AznHisoka 10y agoThere basically is no replacement for Google traffic. Paid ads are not the same since they cut into margin. Plus you can't even buy many brand related terms too.
- problems 10y agoI think the point is that if something else took over as the king search engine, they'd likely be able to get traffic there too.
- MichaelGG 10y agoOvertaking Google is unlikely, but Google deciding a certain coupon site is spam/scammy and deranking them is quite the threat and would basically kill them overnight.
- ikurei 10y agoWhat is more likely, Google going away or Google changing their rankings in a way that makes you drop 5 positions? That's the risk of depending on Google, imho.
- AznHisoka 10y agoTrue it is probably not a good idea in a vacuum. However in the real world where there are very few product ideas that succeed, it is not a bad idea to start something that you feel has a good market, but relies on another company's platform. because the alternative is waiting decades to start a perfect idea.
- jaredklewis 10y agoBuilding on someone's platform is a risk. But then again all new businesses have lots of risks, including the risk that they don't find enough customers for their product or service. I've hear about startups failing that way far more often. Lots of companies make tons of money building on platforms like facebook, the iOS App Store, and so on. The question was never if that was a risk free move (nothing is), by whether the potential gain outweigh the risks.