Could this 'Feature Voting' tool be a good business?

[darrenj54785]

I recently posted a question about my 'joint venture' business idea. The response was extremely valuable, I gained insights that made me realise it was not the right idea to pursue. In the same spirit, I'd like to ask if the following idea would be useful to you guys?

The concept aims to simplify the process of understanding your customers' preferences, identifying desired features or improvements, and effortlessly keeping them informed. If you operate a tech business, for example, the 'Feature Voting' tool—a dedicated standalone website—can be a valuable asset. It enables your customers to submit the features they wish to have, enabling them to vote on ideas from other customers as well.

The 'Feature Voting' tool can be expanded upon to allow you to keep customers informed on any changes you intend to make. You could post a feature idea yourself and allow your customers to vote on it and leave comments.

What do you guys think - should I create a 'Feature Voting' tool?!

 

[Waddy]

It sounds like the sort of thing you would buy on one of those template sites for a small fee.

If you have a collection of tools like this you might be able to make it into a viable business, but I can't see it having enough value on its own.

 

[japancool]

The provider of my PSA software already has this. I guess they find it useful.

 

[darrenj54785]

It sounds like the sort of thing you would buy on one of those template sites for a small fee.

If you have a collection of tools like this you might be able to make it into a viable business, but I can't see it having enough value on its own.

Yes, it lends itself to being part of a collection.

 

[darrenj54785]

The provider of my PSA software already has this. I guess they find it useful.

Cool, I think all companies should be getting insights from their customers yet it doesn't seem mainstream. I bought something from ebay last week and wished there was a way to vote for their awful filtering to load AFTER I have made all my selection and not after each selection is clicked!

 

[fisicx]

Getting people to leave a review is already difficult. Not sure they are going to be interested in doing this as well.

It would also need a lot of moderation. I can see this becommong spam central very quickly.

You might be better off building a wordpress plugin. That way it can be branded and bolted onto someone's site. You make money by offering a premium version.

 

[darrenj54785]

Getting people to leave a review is already difficult. Not sure they are going to be interested in doing this as well.

It would also need a lot of moderation. I can see this becommong spam central very quickly.

You might be better off building a wordpress plugin. That way it can be branded and bolted onto someone's site. You make money by offering a premium version.

My idea has nothing to do with reviews? Also, moderation isn't required because the community will be voting up/down the features which customers want. Wordpress plugin is a good idea for sure.

 

[fisicx]

My idea has nothing to do with reviews? Also, moderation isn't required because the community will be voting up/down the features which customers want. Wordpress plugin is a good idea for sure.

What community?

You said this was for customers. Which suggests people buying socks off the internet. Where I can suggest candy stripes and barbie socks and you can vote if this is a good idea.

 

[darrenj54785]

What community?

You said this was for customers. Which suggests people buying socks off the internet. Where I can suggest candy stripes and barbie socks and you can vote if this is a good idea.

That's right, you wouldn't be reviewing sock, you would suggest a new style (or whatever) and other customers (I'm calling community) can vote your idea up or down. Ultimately, the best ideas should be positioned at the top and the company may wish to act on these ideas.

 

[fisicx]

Which means they need to login presumably? A lot of faff that most people won’t bother with. They have already brought their new gadget and aren’t really interested in suggesting new features. Unless of course you are offered a free upgrade.

If you aren’t going to have a login then it will be a spamtastic tool.

 

[japancool]

What community?

You said this was for customers. Which suggests people buying socks off the internet. Where I can suggest candy stripes and barbie socks and you can vote if this is a good idea.

Well, my PSA provider uses it for customers of their system. They're not buying socks.

Well, they may also buy socks somewhere else.

 

[darrenj54785]

Which means they need to login presumably? A lot of faff that most people won’t bother with. They have already brought their new gadget and aren’t really interested in suggesting new features. Unless of course you are offered a free upgrade.

If you aren’t going to have a login then it will be a spamtastic tool.

Can you name any website which doesn't require you to login to buy something? For example, the website app Bubble.io has hundreds of people suggesting new features, we login to use their product and whilst logged in, we can suggest things if we want. The same could be true of any web service, maybe Twitter, LinkedIn or others.

 

[darrenj54785]

Well, my PSA provider uses it for customers of their system. They're not buying socks.

Well, they may also buy socks somewhere else.

Maybe I should just open a sock shop! ?

 

[fisicx]

Can you name any website which doesn't require you to login to buy something? For example, the website app Bubble.io has hundreds of people suggesting new features, we login to use their product and whilst logged in, we can suggest things if we want. The same could be true of any web service, maybe Twitter, LinkedIn or others.

I buy stuff as a guest. I don’t create an account to buy socks and toothpaste. I did buy 50 sheets of sound absorbing foam but I’m never likely to do that again.

I get the idea and it may have some limited appeal for some businesses but I’m not so sure many will want to ask for new features on things they have already brought.

No idea what the bubble app is.

 

[darrenj54785]

I buy stuff as a guest. I don’t create an account to buy socks and toothpaste. I did buy 50 sheets of sound absorbing foam but I’m never likely to do that again.

I get the idea and it may have some limited appeal for some businesses but I’m not so sure many will want to ask for new features on things they have already brought.

No idea what the bubble app is.

Yes I hear you, I think this idea is suited mainly to tech businesses. Thank you for your thoughts anyway, it really does help to get different perspectives.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I use several pieces of software and plugins that already have this feature - reinventing the wheel?

 

[darrenj54785]

I use several pieces of software and plugins that already have this feature - reinventing the wheel?

I like to improve on what is already being used so hopefully not reinventing the wheel, more redesigning it! You know how YouTubes send their viewers off to Patreon to ask for donations, well in the same way, businesses could ask their users for feedback by linking to my site. The company would sign up then I could handle all the feedback, feature voting/suggestions and it could be a light weight tool for online businesses - what do you thinik?

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I cant see why you might want to off load this simple task!

 

[darrenj54785]

I cant see why you might want to off load this simple task!

Most businesses would not have the skills to code a beautiful voting platform. Voting required much more than simply placing the highest vote count to the top. Algorithms are required to ensure old ideas with lots of votes don't make it impossible for new ideas to rise up. Also, it would have inbuilt comments, messages etc so the business can handle all customer ideas in a simple way.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Why does it need to be a 'beautiful voting platform'?

It could look like a forum or Quora style layout.

As simple notification system telling participants (in the topic or 'forum') ensures interested people are kep updated - site owners can also promote the feature as a benefit.

Darren, your eagerness to do something is great and there are lots of opportunities and gaps out there to make better things, but please keep looking.

business can handle all customer ideas in a simple way.

That's the point, it is simple and there are (direct) methods already out there! This isn't a sexy area, it is practical and functional!

 

[darrenj54785]

Why does it need to be a 'beautiful voting platform'?

It could look like a forum or Quora style layout.

As simple notification system telling participants (in the topic or 'forum') ensures interested people are kep updated - site owners can also promote the feature as a benefit.

Darren, your eagerness to do something is great and there are lots of opportunities and gaps out there to make better things, but please keep looking.


That's the point, it is simple and there are (direct) methods already out there! This isn't a sexy area, it is practical and functional!

Customer support could be done via email but Zendesk made it much better. So I am thinking the same way, a single thing made the best it can be. But, I appreciate your advice and I definitely am still reviewing a few ideas.

 

[darrenj54785]

Why does it need to be a 'beautiful voting platform'?

It could look like a forum or Quora style layout.

As simple notification system telling participants (in the topic or 'forum') ensures interested people are kep updated - site owners can also promote the feature as a benefit.

Darren, your eagerness to do something is great and there are lots of opportunities and gaps out there to make better things, but please keep looking.


That's the point, it is simple and there are (direct) methods already out there! This isn't a sexy area, it is practical and functional!

I disagree. "upvoty" for example offers a beautiful Feature Request app. I believe I can do better because my programming team is so strong. I can take it to the next level (maybe). Zendesk is in a boring area, yet they are an enormous company. The methods out there for customer voting is limited so I see some opportunity, but I am not jumping in, I am listening to you guys advice and thoughts to balance mine!

 

[johndon68]

Zendesk

I thought Zendesk had this 'vote for a new feature' built in, a software company I used to work for used it.

 

[darrenj54785]

I thought Zendesk had this 'vote for a new feature' built in, a software company I used to work for used it.

They may do, I'd be surprised if they didn't actually. Zendesk leans towards customer 'service' and I would be leaning towards customer 'feedback/ideas'. I would be in competition with Zendesk and many others, but that is OK, it's not really possible to have an original idea so I feel the best way is to focus huge energy onto a small issue.