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I don't consider this an "MVP" for a running app. The market is too far along, and I think this lacks a certain kernel of innovation that would set it apart in

I don't consider this an "MVP" for a running app. The market is too far along, and I think this lacks a certain kernel of innovation that would set it apart in spite of lacking features. It has a nice, kind of Yahoo-weather like feel to the app. For a commercial success, I think the app does not even embody 1% of the necessary work: * Without some sort of web+mobile experience, you are way behind everyone else that is established in the space (runkeeper, runtastic, strava, mapmyrun). * The competitors are well-funded and start-uppy - so, even as you perhaps start to add necessary features like route-making, elevation-correction, etc - they will still be innovating and making new stuff. * You integrated with Pebble, but the other hardware in the space probably makes more sense (like heart rate watches), so that's more work. Or nutritional stuff like MyFitnessPal. For the marketing, I'd say: * The app ends up being a demo because of the restriction on number of runs, while the competitors offer something fully functional, including Vima's paid features, for free. Is this going to work? * The name is probably bad - take it from the guy who likes greek mythology for names. If it's a running app, you might as well say so. Runtastic, Runkeeper, MapMyRun - there's a theme here. * I don't see any way I can join the community, so Vima can email me later and follow up to see why I'm not using the app after I downloaded it. I've thought about making a fitness app, and I have some infrastructure such that I can get to market with a more feature-complete product than Vima, in just a few weeks. It's a big brawl to walk into though.

clarky07 12y ago
Thanks for the brutal honesty. >Without some sort of web+mobile experience, you are way behind everyone else that is established in the space (runkeeper, runtastic, strava, mapmyrun). perhaps, but I'm not convinced the web features are that exciting or necessary for success. (Note that I make apps for a living, but I don't need 1 app to carry all of the weight. It would be nice to have a huge success that turns into something more, but it isn't required) >The competitors are well-funded and start-uppy Yeah that sucks. I agree. >The app ends up being a demo because of the restriction on number of runs, while the competitors offer something fully functional, including Vima's paid features, for free. Is this going to work? I have no idea honestly, but I've had success with this style of limitation in the past. I STRONGLY considered no limits, but I wanted to do it this way to start. I can remove the limits later and only make people happy. Can't start with no limits and go back easily. Also, I hate banner ads. So ugly. So not useful. With no limit I'd really have to put ads in it. which may happen, but I'd love for this to work. It's an experiment. >The name is probably bad - take it from the guy who likes greek mythology for names. If it's a running app, you might as well say so. Runtastic, Runkeeper, MapMyRun - there's a theme here. Possibly, but you've also got Strava and Endomondo as counterpoints >I don't consider this an "MVP" for a running app. I think that's pretty harsh. We are obviously competing against mapmy and runkeeper etc, but that doesn't mean we have to make the same app. I believe that there is a market for a simpler version that does the basics (time, distance, maps, etc.) with an easier to use interface. We have some more advanced features planned, like interval training and more charts etc, but the idea we were going for was the simplicity. Now, the monetization strategy was an entirely new experiment that may or may not work. It's a lot cheaper than the competitors options, but as you pointed out doesn't do as much.
- deleted 12y ago
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  - clarky07 12y ago
    Thanks. I will definitely plan a follow up. The recurring model is the big experiment. I think it could do just fine as a 1 time 2.99-4.99 app. Where "just fine" is a relative term that means I have to keep working on several projects but brings in some decent mostly passive income. Recurring on the other hand, could potentially allow me to spend significantly more time giving it the attention it deserves. We have a lot planned for it, and the more income it brings in the faster those updates will come. The app store race to the bottom has been an interesting phenomenon (that has made me a good amount of money) but there was a time when people paid more than FREE for software. The competitors you pointed out, while being unlimited free with ads, all also have recurring or significantly higher IAP options. Someone out there is willing to pay for good software. I'm hoping we can find some of those people as well. And I do think this is a pretty good piece of software. It's possible I'm biased though.
    - hluska 12y ago
      This question may sound silly, but do you live/run in a place that is ice free most of the year? I wonder because I live in a part of the world where, if I'm lucky, I can run outside for about six months of the year (1). I love running for those six months, but the rest of the year, it is so icy that the risk:reward of running outside is too high. Because of this, the moment I see subscription, I know that I won't become a customer. In my mind, it doesn't make sense to subscribe to something I'll only use for half the year. I know I could likely unsubscribe in November, but realistically, the odds that I'll subscribe again in April are almost zero. I wonder if you could pivot into more of a safety app for seniors? My Grandma, for example, loves to walk but she has had two heart attacks and she is in her 90s. Personally, I'd subscribe to an app (and pay almost anything) if it meant that I'd get a text message if my Grandma stopped walking and stayed still for more than x minutes. (1) - Clearly, I don't think things through and likely shouldn't be trusted...:)

clarky07 12y ago

Thanks for the brutal honesty. >Without some sort of web+mobile experience, you are way behind everyone else that is established in the space (runkeeper, runtastic, strava, mapmyrun). perhaps, but I'm not convinced the web features are that exciting or necessary for success. (Note that I make apps for a living, but I don't need 1 app to carry all of the weight. It would be nice to have a huge success that turns into something more, but it isn't required) >The competitors are well-funded and start-uppy Yeah that sucks. I agree. >The app ends up being a demo because of the restriction on number of runs, while the competitors offer something fully functional, including Vima's paid features, for free. Is this going to work? I have no idea honestly, but I've had success with this style of limitation in the past. I STRONGLY considered no limits, but I wanted to do it this way to start. I can remove the limits later and only make people happy. Can't start with no limits and go back easily. Also, I hate banner ads. So ugly. So not useful. With no limit I'd really have to put ads in it. which may happen, but I'd love for this to work. It's an experiment. >The name is probably bad - take it from the guy who likes greek mythology for names. If it's a running app, you might as well say so. Runtastic, Runkeeper, MapMyRun - there's a theme here. Possibly, but you've also got Strava and Endomondo as counterpoints >I don't consider this an "MVP" for a running app. I think that's pretty harsh. We are obviously competing against mapmy and runkeeper etc, but that doesn't mean we have to make the same app. I believe that there is a market for a simpler version that does the basics (time, distance, maps, etc.) with an easier to use interface. We have some more advanced features planned, like interval training and more charts etc, but the idea we were going for was the simplicity. Now, the monetization strategy was an entirely new experiment that may or may not work. It's a lot cheaper than the competitors options, but as you pointed out doesn't do as much.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
- clarky07 12y ago
  Thanks. I will definitely plan a follow up. The recurring model is the big experiment. I think it could do just fine as a 1 time 2.99-4.99 app. Where "just fine" is a relative term that means I have to keep working on several projects but brings in some decent mostly passive income. Recurring on the other hand, could potentially allow me to spend significantly more time giving it the attention it deserves. We have a lot planned for it, and the more income it brings in the faster those updates will come. The app store race to the bottom has been an interesting phenomenon (that has made me a good amount of money) but there was a time when people paid more than FREE for software. The competitors you pointed out, while being unlimited free with ads, all also have recurring or significantly higher IAP options. Someone out there is willing to pay for good software. I'm hoping we can find some of those people as well. And I do think this is a pretty good piece of software. It's possible I'm biased though.
  - hluska 12y ago
    This question may sound silly, but do you live/run in a place that is ice free most of the year? I wonder because I live in a part of the world where, if I'm lucky, I can run outside for about six months of the year (1). I love running for those six months, but the rest of the year, it is so icy that the risk:reward of running outside is too high. Because of this, the moment I see subscription, I know that I won't become a customer. In my mind, it doesn't make sense to subscribe to something I'll only use for half the year. I know I could likely unsubscribe in November, but realistically, the odds that I'll subscribe again in April are almost zero. I wonder if you could pivot into more of a safety app for seniors? My Grandma, for example, loves to walk but she has had two heart attacks and she is in her 90s. Personally, I'd subscribe to an app (and pay almost anything) if it meant that I'd get a text message if my Grandma stopped walking and stayed still for more than x minutes. (1) - Clearly, I don't think things through and likely shouldn't be trusted...:)