Market research question :

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Hi all,

I'm working on a startup, and I'm doing some market research to validate the idea. Essentially it's a "how-to" type website, and I'd very much appreciate your input.

So, just 3 questions.

1. When did you last look up how to do something on the internet? ( e.g. fixing something, making something, operating a gadget or bit of software etc) see poll.

2. What did you look up how to do?

3. If you did find the answer you were looking for, where was it? ( Youtube, a blog, discussion forum etc)


Thank you!

... Obvious spam is obvious ... :/

No, it's not spam.

It's genuine market research to try to quantify how often people look up how-tos on the internet. I'm working on a business plan at the moment and investors like to see real numbers.

Sorry if it looks a bit spammy, but you can check my posts to see that I'm a real person. If you happen to be in London you could even come up and give me a prod at the next Autism London Aspergers Group meeting in Islington, just to make sure..



.

about 2 weeks ago

how to get a passport

I found out but like everything I find on the internet the instructions had major mistakes and led to several meltdowns which had the info been correct could have been avoided (I despise being lied to)

The information I seek regarding "how to..." is very varied and never comes from a single site. Trying to create a single site with all this how to information would be an impossible task due to the scope of the information required and also the need for experts in many fields to contribute. In effect you'd be creating a sort of Wikipedia from scratch. Plus, you'd have to get enough momentum so you came top in search engine results.
Examples of my most recent how to searches on the internet:
1. How to best germinate blueberry seeds.
2. How to resolve a problem whereby a Windows 8.1 computer only goes to "sleep" after "shut down" has been clicked.
3. How to seal an inaccessible, leaking waste pipe behind a sink.

Typically, the results of the search can be anywhere: Specialist websites, discussion forums, YouTube, PDF documents etc.

That is indeed the challenge, which I've been working for the 18 months to solve, and the solution is rather radical. Of course, it's not going to happen overnight, which is why I'm looking to identify some specific niche subject areas to start off with. Your examples are particularly valuable.. thanks!

@ GivePeaceAChance

Great example, and yes, part of the problem is accuracy. I feel your frustration as I've had plenty of similar experiences myself.. in fact thats partly what inspired my idea in the first place. thank you

Not only is it useful for the "how to" question to be answered, but also to have related and background information too. For example with my blueberry seed question, it was useful to know when to plant out the seedlings and to avoid frosts and that it can take a few years before they start fruiting and to remove the flowers for the first couple of years to encourage plant growth.

You'd either need a massive database populated by thousands of experts in every field (cf Wikipedia) or simply link to content elsewhere on the net, in which case you would be just another search engine. You couldn't simply copy content from elsewhere on the web without running into copyright issues, especially with images and video content. Sometimes a picture (or video) is worth a thousand words especially with "how to" issues. e.g. I'm learning how to play the shakuhachi flute and images and videos of how to blow the flute were especially important.

Another of my recent "how to" searches was regarding learning to sit in the lotus position: I've been a lifelong meditator but never got around to sitting in the full lotus position... I found a "how to" video with progressive exercises on how to gradually and safely make the joints and legs supple enough to do this. This of course raises another issue... legal liability, if you advise someone on how to do something and it goes horribly wrong or someone gets injured or even dies what is your legal liability? This may not be easily brushed off with a disclaimer buried somewhere on your site's usage policy and your legal obligations may differ country to country.

All very good points TallyMan, and I'm having to fight my aspie need to overshare and tell you exactly how it works! lol. Unfortunately I can't for legal / IP reasons, but hopefully it won't be too long ( maybe 6 months or so ) until the first beta launch and all will become clear.

The legal liability issues were a particular concern, particularly as there will be medical / first aid how-tos. That problem has been solved though.. but again, regretfully, I can't say how quite yet. Sorry!

^ I look forward to seeing the beta version. Anything that helps me to find the information I'm looking for would be gratefully received (provided it is free of charge ). There are some sites out there that provide limited information on various topics but either require people to create a (free) account or want to charge a nominal fee to view the information. As soon as I hit such an obstacle I do the same as 99.999% of other people... click the back button on the browser and click the next link in the Google search list.

Some of the most tricky "how to" things (for me anyway) are regarding highly obscure API/Windows function calls when programming. Search engines are poor when using programming keywords. Microsoft documentation is often crap or inadequate and they leave developers floundering around asking each other or just using trial and error. I can waste several hours doing google searches on this type of thing and don't always find a solution either.

Looked up "how to bake meatballs" about three weeks ago.

Found the answer on some homemaker site, or forum. Maybe from some lady's magazine, or not.

I rarely do U-Tube, and facebook, and all that because my main computer cant do the memory. So i end up on sites on the regular internet.

Recipes are common thing that sends me to the web.

Hi naturalplastic. Yes, recipes are going to be one of the key themes. Your point about slow internet connections is good too. Thank you!

@ TallyMan

Yes, it'll be completely free Ultimately it will be ad funded (sort of.. nothing intrusive), but I want to take it as far as possible without ads to start with. That's why this research is so useful. Solid data = more funding.

Responses so far are in line with my expectations, which I'm very happy about.. I just need lots more responses from various demographics to arrive at statistically reliable results.. ( not just from WP of course.. I plan to hit the streets with a clipboard soon).

And yes, I'd love to have you on the beta program when it kicks off. Watch this space