Comments on: Six Reasons Your Web Startup Will Fail (But Don’t Let Them Stop You).

By: Evolvingwheel

Evolvingwheel — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:03:01 +0000

This is sooo freakin true!!!

By: NJ Web Design

NJ Web Design — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:41:39 +0000

startups are always fun. the ups and down are frustrating but it’s well worth it in the end

By: startupi » Why will your startup fail?

startupi » Why will your startup fail? — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 06:04:51 +0000

[...] know, no one wants this and it’s a depressing title. But I saw a post in Techcrunch about the six reasons why your startup will fail. The post cites a more lengthy post written by Eric Karjaluoto, one of the founders of a startup [...]

By: Cris Luengo

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 23:01:10 +0000

I agree with second part (Don’t Let Them Stop You) even more. My own exprience shows (and I am not a web pro at all) that:

- You won’t have an audience
Even very strange ideas, like my Wirtland.com, can and do win wide global audience.

- You’re going to run out of cash
It doesn’t cost much to run.

- You’ll get frustrated
I feel excited, as I’m getting lots of fans and help.

- The emotional rollercoaster will beat you
Just eat regularly and have regular g/f.

- You’ll get excited about something else
So what?

- But it won’t be because of the competition
You found a niche, didn’t you?

By: LEADSExplorer

LEADSExplorer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:27:09 +0000

A Start-up addresses the consumer or the business market.
In the consumer market the most obvious revenue is advertising. Thus you need to generate a lot of traffic to get noticed. That takes time.

In the business market people need to have the problem your solution addresses and they need want to pay for it. The more leads you can generate the more chance of finding someone who will actually pay for your solution. That’s why we developed LEADSExplorer (www.LEADSExplorer.com)

In both cases a lot of people will find your solution or service interesting, but when it comes to actually use it or even worse pay for, then the doubt of use arises and the value for money.

By: The PHA : Bookmarks for January 5th from 11:18 to 11:18

The PHA : Bookmarks for January 5th from 11:18 to 11:18 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:01:31 +0000

[...] Six Reasons Your Web Startup Will Fail (But Don’t Let Them Stop You). – Here’s the gist, summarized in 6 points: [...]

By: startupi » Por que sua startup falhará?

startupi » Por que sua startup falhará? — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:45:23 +0000

[...] sei que ninguém quer isso e que o título soa pesado. Mas vi no Techcrunch um post sobre as 6 razões pelas quais sua startup não dará certo . O texto cita na verdade um post mais completo escrito por Eric Karjaluoto, um dos fundadores de [...]

By: Andrew Holt

Andrew Holt — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:07:01 +0000

The biggest single reason for failure I usually encounter when hearing about startups is lack of a viable marketing plan. Too many “companies” in this age assume getting on TechCrunch and Twittering will build the initial audience, and revenue will magically flow.

Typically when someone I know is talking about starting something, my first point of advice is to start from the bottom. How will they get their very first users/customers in the first few days of launch, and how will the business grow from there. Some ideas do just attract an audience off the bat and grow virally, but most do not.

The second point of advice is to do some very thorough market research. Not only regarding who wants this and what real needs they have, but who else is even close to doing the same thing. I find a lot of people get so excited about building that they ignore an actual growth strategy.

By: Here’s Why Your Startup is Going to Fail | KillerBlog

Here’s Why Your Startup is Going to Fail | KillerBlog — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:29:06 +0000

[...] Starting a company is fun, specially an internet startup. If you’re going into the crazy and weird world of startups, things aren’t necessarily in your favor. There are so many things that can go wrong, that you’d be surprised you even got off the ground. But what exactly are those things that can go wrong? Here they are: [...]

By: The Scribbler » This lifestyle chooses you, not the other way around

The Scribbler » This lifestyle chooses you, not the other way around — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:08:20 +0000

[...] Read the full thing here. [...]

By: Sudirman Sudirman

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:30:43 +0000

Love it! It truely make it even more aware and realize startups must work even harder to survive

By: Korey Bachelder

Korey Bachelder — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:34:45 +0000

I think the #1 issue would be “you won’t have an audience”. I’d like to add a few more to the list: “you don’t iterate enough”, “you can’t change on a dime” and finally “you don’t hire good people”.

By: mushmoosh

mushmoosh — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:26:08 +0000

I typically notice that “startups” fail due to an inadequate team. A successful web app will require a lot of resources spanning various sets of skills. Many times, partners have different visions / strategies. Hiring the “right” team might be financially impossible.

Achieving the right balance of skills and strategies with limited resources is quite challenging.

Nonetheless, for an entrepreneur, it’s a fun ride. Ambition will take you places if you actively learn from every single experience in an unbiased fashion.

Best wishes on your endeavors in ‘09.

By: Shirley

Shirley — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:55:21 +0000

Those aren’t convincing reasons. Most web startups (unless you are trying to build the next facebook or eBay), don’t require much startup capital, especially if one of your partners is the programmer/developer building it.

And emotional roller coaster? Distracted by another idea? This means you weren’t that into your idea in the first place… So I doubt I’d call that a real startup but more of a meager attempt at building something. lol.

The only real obstacle would probably be the audience. I’ve seen some pretty stellar applications that were built, but no one used them. (Often times this was due to poor publicity, which could have easily been achieved through better planning.)

Meh….

By: ieri sera prima di addormentarmi mi son … » Twitita

ieri sera prima di addormentarmi mi son … » Twitita — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 14:40:52 +0000

[...] Your Web Startup Will Fail (But Don’t Let Them Stop You). di Eric Karjaluoto, che ho trovato su Techcrunch, ma che purtroppo è interamente in inglese, ma sicuramente di ottima qualità! Oltre che essere [...]

By: Six Reasons Your Web Startup Will Fail (But Don’t Let Them Stop You). | adrian graham

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:46:38 +0000

[...] Via Tech Crunch [...]

By: Jenaé Plymale

Jenaé Plymale — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:35:57 +0000

Wow Jeremy, I like your list too.

By: Jenaé Plymale

Jenaé Plymale — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:31:42 +0000

Very good point, Jason. Glad you mentioned it, because it is important (IF you have a spouse).

It applies especially when you’re obsessing over your passion, not cutting the bills and have an unsupportive spouse who either A) can’t support the both of you financially B) Can’t stand the obsessive attention you’re devoting to your passion or C) both.

I wouldn’t necessarily suggest for someone to quit at that point, but rather to just be warned AND you’d better have a kick a** business model, or you will fail. The rest of the 6 reasons will simply come falling down on you.

This list makes me glad to know we’re all going through the same thing. And its all the more reason to “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle”.

p.s. I am 100% single.. so don’t think I’m married or ever have been just because of this comment. It was just an insight.

By: shjasonli

shjasonli — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:55:44 +0000

look into my website and tell me if i am missing some points there or not http://groups.im/

By: Mac

Mac — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 06:34:13 +0000

Great article Eric! I think all of your points are valid. Although, when people voice their opinion on an idea or project it is key that you suspend your voice of judgement and start to ask questions. There is usually something valid in every opinion and question. The job is to find the validity in them. Even the stupid ones can prevent you from tripping up. I think the key is to to stay focused and always ask questions. Never assume you have all of the answers.

A sound business plan is good. But plans are usually obsolete as soon as your print them out on your printer because there are constant changes to your product or service in order to attract customers. In simple terms…there is always something.

By: David Cesarini

David Cesarini — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:10:09 +0000

I found the article realistic and thorough, I recommend subscribing to Erics blog at http://www.ideasonideas.com/ and of course checking out http://www.makefive.com/

By: Miguel Menchu

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:35:32 +0000

Being x,y,z is not hard at all. Either you are, or you’re not. PRETENDING to be x,y,z IS. Me-too mashup-BS ‘ideas’ can only take you that far.

By: Neo_Fight

Neo_Fight — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:28:14 +0000

What is a startup?

By: Mark MacLeod (startupcfo)

Mark MacLeod (startupcfo) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:27:23 +0000

Great post. While I agree with much of it, here is my rebuttal:

http://startupc...ll-succeed.html

Mark

By: mary

mary — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 16:37:51 +0000

Such simple thoughts gets anyone’s attention? amazing!

I also am not sure if I have ever seen a more poorly done pitch.

Slow news day.