For non-startup type products (small niche softwares, affiliate websites, or to ensure easy SEO traffic), I do the following:
- I list the frustrations I had in the last two months
- I list the list I like to do
With that list, I head over to google keyword tool, and search for keywords related to what I found in step 1 that have more than 3000 searches per month and less than 30000 exact keyword pages in google (the 30 day challenge method: http://thirtydaychallenge.com)
I keep brainstorming until I find a list of keywords that are in demand but have low competition (When you are a one man show, you'd rather focus on a non-too-competitive niche).
Then I use Market Samourai to check the competition on the first 10 pages of Google to ensure I will be able to rank my website high in Google on my keywords.
Next, I put up a website a la Tim Ferriss to test the market a little bit more. This method only adds value if the test tells you you have a profitable product. If you can't prove it during the test, it doesn't mean you should stop.
In parallel, I "talk" (surveys, interviews, forums) to as many potential customers as I can.
Fantastic! Though the process sounds interesting in theory, I have always wondered the effectiveness of this process. Can you walk through a sample keyword research process with examples? I'm sure this will make an interesting blog post.
- I list the frustrations I had in the last two months
- I list the list I like to do
With that list, I head over to google keyword tool, and search for keywords related to what I found in step 1 that have more than 3000 searches per month and less than 30000 exact keyword pages in google (the 30 day challenge method: http://thirtydaychallenge.com)
I keep brainstorming until I find a list of keywords that are in demand but have low competition (When you are a one man show, you'd rather focus on a non-too-competitive niche).
Then I use Market Samourai to check the competition on the first 10 pages of Google to ensure I will be able to rank my website high in Google on my keywords.
Next, I put up a website a la Tim Ferriss to test the market a little bit more. This method only adds value if the test tells you you have a profitable product. If you can't prove it during the test, it doesn't mean you should stop.
In parallel, I "talk" (surveys, interviews, forums) to as many potential customers as I can.
If I feel I am to something, I start coding :)
I wrote about this very topic on my blog.
I published my frustrations there: http://aymeric.gaurat.net/index.php/2010/my-frustrations/
How to test the viability of your idea: http://aymeric.gaurat.net/index.php/2010/how-to-test-the-via...