Show HN: Update on my startup - very overdue.

13 points by snaveint 14 years ago | 21 comments

When I see what some HN members have done in a weekend on their projects, it makes it hard to confess that it has taken us 1 year to get to this stage.

I kept trying to make things perfect, but finally I have seen the light - it will never be perfect and even in its current state, I see so much we need to improve, but it's something.

Instead of delaying even more, I thought I would release it to the best critics out there - HN say hello to MyProperty.com

Hope to hear your feedback, criticism, thoughts.

tarekayna 14 years ago |

I like the design, colors and the general vibe. Registration was easy.

Once I logged in though, I didn't know what to do. There are three menus (top, left, right) and I didn't know where to start. I didn't know what watchlist is watching. In short, a nice welcome message with a quick tour of the features would have been very helpful. Maybe on first login I should be taken to "Add Property"? It's your call, but an empty watchlist was a let down.

snaveint 14 years ago | |

Hi Tarekayna,

That has probably been the most consistent feedback we have received - "nothing to prompt me once I log in". I'm glad you pointed that out as well.

The quick tour is a great idea.

snaveint 14 years ago |

Link: http://www.myproperty.com

tamle 14 years ago |

Hi Snaveint -

Congrats on getting this out! I recently started on my own startup and like you I always feel behind.

That aside, I've heard many people in the NY area ask for a service similar to this, but for managing whole buildings. Do you have an idea of what your initial target market might be?

Also, the video is very well done, but you make the assumption that someone would want to watch that to learn more about your site. I'd add some text for those that prefer reading.

Good luck!

snaveint 14 years ago | |

Hi Tamle,

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Good point re text over video. I'm working on this now.

Our initial target market are people who currently own one investment property and are managing it themselves the hard way - going around to collect payments, cashing checks, calling tenants to remind them etc.

Cheers Ash

gfavvas 14 years ago |

I don't think "We take your property and put it in the cloud" means anything tangible to a property owner. (Making it easier to find tenants and collect payments are tangible benefits.)

I would also have more detail on what exactly the product does without requiring the user to sign up. Some screenshots of use cases of how you can help me would be beneficial.

snaveint 14 years ago | |

Thanks for the advice, I'll take that onboard and see what else we can come up with for the first slide - what you have said makes sense.

kooshball 14 years ago |

The video and the website are both very well done.

I think there is a huge market for this, I'm curious how you're willing to offer the service for free?

Does the service provider give you a cut? who will you pay to find the tenants?

snaveint 14 years ago | |

Hi Koosh,

The service providers will be paying to be listed in the directory. Also, specific payment methods will incur a charge.

We will be using various real estate websites to find tenants. Free listings will include craigslist/gumtree with paid listings going to sites such as zoopla, findaproperty etc

Thanks for the feedback :)

md1515 14 years ago |

Hey, I have a friend who might be in need of this. I will coax him into trying this out.

Send me an email? (address in profile)

It looks nice! Hopefully I'll be of more help shortly.

snaveint 14 years ago |

Side note: I am currently looking for a co-founder CTO to help with continuous improvements/iterations, so if anyone is interested, please get in touch via email (in the profile).

BenVoss 14 years ago |

Good for you! It looks great. I don't have a need for services like that right now, so I'm not sure I can give any solid advice, but the best of luck to you!

fezzl 14 years ago |

"When will the FAQ section be completed?

Soon, we promise."

I found this funny yet painfully unprofessional.

snaveint 14 years ago | |

Fair point.

I'm actually not marketing for customers yet, just trying to get some feedback.

glimcat 14 years ago |

Not enough info before signup to motivate signup. Color choices need improvement.

dylangs1030 14 years ago | |

I agree with info comment, there needs to be some more information on what exactly this is on the front page. However, I think the orange and blue color scheme and the visuals work very well.

glimcat 14 years ago | | |

Some of them work well, but some of them clash or have poor contrast.

VuongN 14 years ago |

I liked the video. Did you pay to get it done or did you do it yourself?

snaveint 14 years ago | |

We paid to have it done, but created the script... I am not that creative :)

pixeloution 14 years ago |

Hope you're prepared for the lawsuit from Apple over your logo :)

travisfischer 14 years ago | |

I think he's alright. Relevant link: http://www.hanselman.com/blog/ThereIsOnlyOneCloudIconInTheEn...