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Ask HN: Review my site - Infogr.am - easy infographic tool

11 points by Uldis ↗ HN
Hi, my startup just launched it's first public beta - www.infogr.am It's a web-based software for super-easy data visualization and infographics. Interactive, non-flash animated infographics can be made in minutes. We're launching Charts app today (for super-simplem charts) and Infographics app for more complex visualizations is coming soon. We'll be adding a more great functionality in next weeks. I'd be really happy to hear your feedback:) Tnx

23 comments

[ 4.2 ms ] story [ 49.3 ms ] thread
charliepark
Holy cats. This looks really, really neat. Congrats on launching this; I'm eager to see what comes of it.

Out of curiosity, what's your business model?

Uldis
freemium. basic things will always be free. later we'll sell design templates / more data formats.
apsurd
Come on, I got excited to test this - so i click ..

bam login wall. wth? You have shown me nothing!

=(

It's not that I can't easily click that twitter login. It's more like I feel misled. It's a negative first impression.

Let me give it a test run without asking for anything up front. please?

ohashi
Seconded, I really don't like handing over my social credentials before I have a clue what it is I am looking at.
sixQuarks
same here. At least show some sample screenshots or something.
Uldis
thanks, I start to agree with you:) Do you think screenshots alone would help or software should be usable without authentication till some period (like when you need to save something?)
ohashi
The more I get to try before having to give up anything the better. If you would let me see a demo/sandbox version that would be nice. I would settle for some good screenshots/video.
tylerwl
The site looks great. However, I agree with apsurd. If you first let users play around, it shouldn't take long until they're hooked and much more eager to sign up.
Uldis
there's a little problem - we have autosave. so, there's not a single button after you make a new chart where we could ask to login. I strongly agree that it is aggressive that we ask to authorize this way. what's better: a) descriptive images / screenshots on front page (aka "learn more") b) add a save button (then ask for login), unless it's pressed no data is saved.
tylerwl
Thanks for elaborating, that makes sense. Since I noticed in another one of your other comments that you're planning on a freemium model, I think Option A is a good enough starting point. Once you get the ball rolling, it would be interesting to test both options to see which actually converts better.

I may be the only person with this question, but if I use Twitter to sign up, will it have any impact on my timeline (like an automatic "I just signed up for Infogr.am" tweet)?

Uldis
thanks for advices. regarding twitter - no, never, no tweets. by the way, this is something someone could communicate to twitter - they actually say what permissions you give us (read your timeline + know whom you follow = to tell if your friends are here)
apsurd
Can you wrap the autosave feature in a conditional that checks for authenticated session?

You don't need to save work for non-logged in users. I just personally think it's very powerful to have a way to demo the app.

Alternatively can you set up a dummy demo account that new users can use?

revorad
I don't usually say this, but this app is worth signing up for. Really well made.
mapster
Very nice. I didn't have an issue w Twitter auth. But there wasn't enough examples to find. Signed up though. Looks very cool.
Uldis
tnx, lot of feedback about this. we'll add screenshots/ description on front page
sandis
Congrats on launching / Priekā!
pdenya
Looks pretty cool. I'd use a thicker font or a higher weight for the buttons; they're difficult to read as is: http://cl.ly/0s2P2X1F1x1f0s3e2h2A
Uldis
yep, we'll fixing this. it seems chrome (perhaps smth else also) renders helveticaneue-light this bad.
padredenny
I get a Cpanel login when I try to visit the site.