Ask HN: Lessons For A Service-Based Startup

What does "Service-based startup" mean? As I was taught to think about it, Reddit is technically a service. My company, Matasano, is a services firm (we consult on software security) and we sell a product. Plenty of companies in my space offer coin-op professional services; log in, push a button, and something will do a network security test for you.<p>Which kind of "service" do you mean?

I'd say choose your clients wisely - avoid timewasters, and clients which aren't likely to scale.

Focus on making a really great product. Everything else will follow.