Startups often forget that for a user a good product is not one that gives all the features in the world. Instead, it is one that makes it clear to the user:

• what they can do with it
• how they can do it
• how that fits into their goals

I’ve tried many startup sites and apps where the above is not obvious to me. Sometimes, if the site or app is highly recommended I may spend some time digging around and try to figure out what it is that you offer. More often then not I will just leave. Just like the majority of your visitors.

If you are new startup this can mean death. Sometimes a few of you still happen to get popular due to some famous blogger’s raving about the site. Well that blogger is not like your user. You probably gave a demo. And the blogger probably prodded around a bit so that their endorsement was interesting and made sense. Most readers however, just like most of your users coming from elsewhere won’t prod as much. Some do and generate some more buzz and overtime you just assume that users know exactly what they can do with your product. And sometimes we do due to the buzz or promotion that got us to the site. This is not sustainable.

But more often then not we don’t. So for the first time or even repeat visitors it wouldn’t hurt to  give a quick explanation of features both new and old on an entry. And if you are asking me to login, sign up, or connect with you via RSS or social networks please for heaven’s sake tell me why! DON’T be like this company.

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‘Nuff said!

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