How to Create Profitable Web-Based Tools

Posted on | June 4, 2010 |

If you’re about to roll your eyes after seeing the word “software”, let me re-assure you: you won’t have to ever write a line of code! There are plenty of people who can do it for you, all you need is an idea.

Several years ago, after getting my share of “difficult” clients, I wanted to find a quick and systematic way of pre-qualifying each person before I say “yes.” I created a simple self-assessment for my web site and asked people to complete it before scheduling a call with me.

After using that form for a few weeks, I created a few more self-assessments. Visitors to my web site could test their Internet skills, find out whether their web site needs a makeover, and discover how much they know about building a business. Then I thought, wouldn’t it be great if other coaches could create self-assessments just like mine. That’s how Assessment Generator was born.

I have later developed software to help those who run group coaching programs, called Group Coaching Manager.

The point I am trying to make with my story, is that by being tuned into my target audience, I was able to create a piece of software that was missing from the coaching industry. In addition, when I released this tool to the public, I noticed that coaches started using it for many other purposes – generating client leads, pre-qualify clients, collecting data during intake, using self-assessments to add value to their coaching programs, and much much more.

So, how can YOU develop software programs for your target audience? Here are the 4 steps:

1. Surround yourself with your target audience by reading what they read, going where they go, interviewing a few of them in person or by phone, visiting their message boards, and surveying them. This can be accomplished much faster if you already know who your target audience is, and if you represent your target audience in some way.

2. Find out what their biggest problems and challenges are and what software or web-based service could make their lives ten times easier.

3. When you have an idea for a software program, do some research online to find out if anyone else is offering something like that. If it already exists, how could you make it better? Different? Easier? Less expensive? If it doesn’t exist, approach a few members of your target audience (4-5 people) and share your idea with them. Ask for honest feedback on whether they think it’ll be useful to them.

4. When you make a decision to go ahead with developing your software, write out a good description of what you want it to do. Then, go to RentACoder.com and post your project. Programmers from all over the world will bid on it, and you’ll be able to choose the person you want to develop it for you. This resource has been my secret weapon for over a year now! I’ve paid as little as $300 for a fully developed software, and can’t recommend it highly enough.

What software could YOU develop for your target audience? What’s missing in your industry? Remember, simplicity is the key – many times large software companies overlook smaller tools they could develop for certain groups of people, and you can easily jump in and create it!

Put on your thinking cap and ask yourself this question: “What tool would make the lives of my target clients easier?”