What are the problems small business owner face?

[shrikar]

Hi Guys,
I am software developer and looking for some side projects. Previously I used to
start working on some cool idea but eventually that product was never used by people
since they were not interested in that .
So instead of wasting time I want to start from a problem and want to go back to see if we can
create a product or something that can be automated to help small business.

Could you guys please let me know a few problems which you want to be solved?

One of the idea which came to mind just as an example

SmartBox:
Example: Do you like cookies? Would you be interested in a Smartbox which will notify you when the cookies are about to get over so that you can refill them ( Either by text message or mail)?
The same can be applied to any industry which deal with inventory of small items not just cookies.

[Serge S Khakhulin]

Hi, Shrikar!
Join to the question! We developed a automated system for advertising agencies in last year and now we are trying to sale it for russian clients. We improve our system using customer's feedbacks. Software require registration and when the customer don't buy system during demo-period we ask him what is wrong. It's a very effective way.

[Lyons]

My 2 cents is to design an integrated system that takes care of the following for a small retail store. Checkout, Inventory Control, Billing, Inventory Analysis (what sells, and the ability to compare all items in store to each other ROI to Freq. of Sale), scheduling for part-time to full time employees... The options could be endless. I currently work at a hardware store and Activant Solutions developed the software we use. Very difficult to learn how to use and even then the programs seemed "foreign" and limited.

[huggytree]

create something that finds customers for me

that is the #1 thing we are all looking for

[RickGrantham]

I recently ran advertising on LinkedIN to small business owners. Once they clicked they went to a page that offered them a free small business book download but they had to answer the question "What is your biggest business frustration?"

More than 90% responded "Need more customers".

Most people think that they need more customers, but the real problem is really several layers deeper. Its because they don't have the TIME to chase new customers. That's the real problem for the small business owner. Free up their time (inexpensively) and you have a winner.

As a result, I developed products around this test.

Rick

[Fulcrum]

More than 90% responded "Need more customers".

Most people think that they need more customers, but the real problem is really several layers deeper. Its because they don't have the TIME to chase new customers. That's the real problem for the small business owner. Free up their time (inexpensively) and you have a winner.

As a result, I developed products around this test.

Rick

Chasing new customers can be both time and cost intensive. That's why many of the marketing specialists here focus on getting qualified customers, who both want and need the services offered, to call the business rather than the business calling them.

As for freeing up time for a small business owner, it can be very difficult to get them to even admit that they have inefficiencies in their operation. I see this often, they know they have problems (some even know what they are), yet they are still unwilling to fix it.

[ryand83]

While I do not operate a business yet...an app that would allow you to find a specific niche in a given area would be pretty legit. So lets say you live in an area without a specific food type restaurant it would let you know what it is, best possible location, etc etc... I also think an app that would help would be a marketing ideas tool that gives decent layouts and such and comes up with slogans and all that stuff.

[RR151]

How about a rock solid Online Branch Path Information Tool...

What is a branching path tool added to the auto-responder?

Branching Path Auto-responder is designed to deliver specific marketing information based upon how the business owner answers using the online information category form. This is a powerful tool used to get on the same page as is the business owner. You can’t be selling apples when your prospect is buying oranges. To be successful it is very important to be on the same page all of the time.

So as they answer each level of the branch path your system moves closer to the content they need. At the end they sign up the auto-responder that has the information that they need...

Simple question structure:

Are you Male or Female?

Male moves to level 1

Female moves to level 2

Male Level 1 choices...

Item 1,

Item 2,

Item 3,

[shrikar]

Hi ryand83,
I have a few questions regarding this. Lets assume that you want a particular service you want in your area. Would you be interested in providing that service information to the app?
I tried something similar like this for software where people can tell what they need to make their day to day life easy, I didn't see any interest from the community.
I completely understand once the data is in the app there will be many usecases for the same but my concern is if people would really be going to a app and telling what they want.

Let me know your thoughts on this.

[shrikar]

Hi RR151 ,

Could you please elaborate on this I quite didnt understand if the tool will be used by business owner for getting marketing information or customers of the small business.

[shrikar]

Hi ryand83,
I built something around the idea you mentioned. Do give it a try.

http://astu.co

Also please feel free to give feedback.

Thanks

[keymike]

Small business owners do have to plan a lot before they venture out and apply their strategies in the world, thank you all for your ideas and software tools !

[mgandy]

Well i guess the biggest problem small business owners face is lake of resources. Yes I know this is pretty generic answer but it pretty much covers everything from lack of money, time, employees and so on. I started my business roughly 4 months ago and for me the biggest issue I have had is under estimating the time it takes to actually complete a task. This obviously has a trickle down effect since it pushes other stuff I should be working on further down my list.

[Fulcrum]

and for me the biggest issue I have had is under estimating the time it takes to actually complete a task. This obviously has a trickle down effect since it pushes other stuff I should be working on further down my list.

But have you been refining your process in order to improve efficiency and reduce the time needed to complete a task? At the same time, it can help once and a while to knock down a few simple tasks, that aren't pressing, in order to improve your own morale.

[DataDave]

I was just going to say, need more customers. I agree that time is one of the biggest factors. A lot of business owners work "in their business" and not so much "on their business"

[journalist55]

Hello! I think this is a great idea, it would relieve a business of the extra responsibility of having to check on certain things, saving time and money! I also think a Smartbox sounds like a realistic idea for today, it is not too far stretched at all! Do you have ideas of how you would structure the box and how would you market the product?

[localbizgrowth]

customers is an easy fix with a bit of strategy , planning and money you can get targeted leads quickly from google etc

one thing a lot of businesses don't do or forget is you to make sure you know who your marketing too - this alone will save you a load of testing, ad spend