HNers, I need some feedback on a couple of startup ideas that I have. Which one would you recommend ?<p>1) A site for hosting contests for the web app startups, one app at a time. Similar to AppSumo, but instead of selling the subscriptions (of web apps) at an insanely low price the new site will be hosting contests for distributing free subscriptions to the contest winners along with the regular discount coupons. It will be a good way to distribute the invite codes for startups and to get some buzz free of costs.<p>2) I myself felt a need for this. A shopping search engine for ebooks from Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), Borders (Kobo) etc. I use all three ebook readers in my iPhone and felt a need to search all 3 to find the lowest price for buying. Should it be a website or an iPhone App?<p>Which one should I start & would you be interested in as user for them?
<a href="http://www.inkmesh.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.inkmesh.com</a> is another ebook price comparison site. I had the same idea a few months ago, but couldn't really think of any way to improve upon inkmesh and ebookprice. Plus, I've found that Amazon, BN, and Borders usually have the same price on popular books. I think Amazon sets the price and the others match it.<p>Also, keep in mind you can't use the Amazon Product Advertising API in mobile apps.
<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2009/07/07/amazon-killing-mobile-apps-that-use-its-data/" rel="nofollow">http://techcrunch.com/2009/07/07/amazon-killing-mobile-apps-...</a>
personally i think that there are so many sites writing about web apps. so i guess it would be quite difficult to get people to your site.<p>i had a look at your landing page.
there are lots of links on the page, but i couldn´t find a single one doing anything. as a user i don´t know what´s up. remove links that you dont use.
the go for it button, does it anything?<p>the text in the center of the page is about your service and the first app in the contest. i´d split that up and try to make the texts as short and simple as possible. many people (including me) will leave the site without reading the text.<p>hope that helps, martin
I like both ideas, but would see the second one as more useful initially (to me). That said, if you get the other one done in time of the end of November, there could be a fair number of startups needing such a tool. :)
The standard advice is to make a landing page with your idea on it. Then find ways for people to get to that page - advertising or social media. Then you can make a more fact-based decision.
did you see <a href="http://www.ebookprice.info/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ebookprice.info/</a><p>not trying to discourage you...theres a lot of room for improvement in the UI