HN Explorer

Ask HN: How to Get Software Based Business Ideas?

17 points by OulaX ↗ HN
I live in a developing country, where there's supposed to me lots of problems that I can solve with Software.

But, I can't find any problems to solve! Don't get me wrong, I don't mean there are no problems around me, I just mean the problems that exist either a) Can't be solved by software, or b) Is not worth solving for multiple reasons.

I want to build a side hustle (App/Website) that I can generate income from. Where should I look for ideas?

20 comments

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qup
Copy an existing idea in a space that has several competitors. This means you know there are customers and they will pay for the service.

Change something to make it better, or at least change something to make it your own flavor.

Choose something you think is very exciting or cool, it will be easier to work on.

Don't worry about copying them. You don't need to invent a new idea.

anandnair
Why should people choose this instead of the competitor if it's a copy?
qup
Because they found this one. It was marketed to them.
schwartzworld
Just remember, Oreos were a ripoff of another popular cookie, Hydrox. Now, most people consider Hydrox to be off-brand Oreos, if they even know about them at all. Originality is overrated.
james-revisoai
Not great advice in a world of ChatGPT at your fingertips.

You generate race-to-the-bottoms like the ChatPDF tools by leaning into easy to copy areas that online popularity highlights, rather than your gut feel around problems - how many of those existing ideas competing with ChatGPT for example are still online 3 months after many launched in Dec/Jan/Feb/March? Check theresanaiforthat, and even though they remove dead pages, under QA(or I think it's now a new catagory depending on the aggregator tool) you will see many dead ones, either outright no site any more or they do not work. Second issue: From my experience, it doesn't feel good to do this so you'll lose motivation...

carlosjobim
An AI cannot charge money from customers. ChatGPT can't open a bank account or a Stripe account to receive payment from clients. If you actually sell something online instead of trying to make money with ads, you are going to be okay for a long time ahead.

Edit: And another Bible quote that I'd like to add in this creepy AI age:

"The dead do not speak"

nicbou
Talk to more people. I help people deal with bureaucracy in Berlin. Even in that tiny space, there is a need for software solutions. Software to generate documents, to connect people to experts, to navigate through a flowchart, etc.

Sometimes you don't sell software to people. Instead you use software to connect people to businesses. You help people as much as you can, and pocket a commission if they get stuck and hire a professional.

Sometimes you help people compare products and get a commission from the business they choose.

There are so many problems that are too small for large tech companies, but that still deserve attention. You have many opportunities to be the local wizard, and to bring magic to your community.

atomicnature
Please write more about your experiences, I'd love to understand this style of thought, organic growth.
quickthrower2
If you don't have problems to solve, then build and ship stuff. You will soon find problems to solve!
yarrowy
yes but what stuff to build and ship?
quickthrower2
Whatever interests you. the thing doesn't need to be commercial - what you learn by shipping might give you insights into problems to solve.

Of course the downside is you might be finding problems that only hobbyists have that wont make money. But you can do further validation to see if anyone will pay and if those problems extend to companies or solo professionals who will pay.

krm01
This is the best answer. Just create momentum. Build something in 60min. Launch it. And start to identify the problems along the way. In thise problems is most likely an opportunity bigger than the initial problem.
ano88888
I am in the same position. I also live in a third world country. I am currently planning to quit my job (similar to Singapore pay) and start my own software business. I plan to do lots of experiments to create small products that solve niche problems relevant to the local context. Like you said, there are so many problems. What is important is to think about distribution or customer acquisition channel/cost before you build the product and facter it into your product. It is worthless if you can't sell it. Focus on quick product iterations to find out product market fit.
xupybd
Find an industry that has poor automation and build the tools they need.

Cabinet making is one that could use some help.

hnaccountme
Software is just a tool for delivering a solution for another industry.
bhu1st
This.

It's hard to understand as a software person.

joshxyz
startupschool.org will definitely help too
Jemaclus
One piece of advice I heard was to try and build something. You will inevitably run into a problem you can't solve easily. Throw away your initial idea, and work on solving that problem. Repeat this process until you think you have a business people will pay you for.