Build an Application (Even if it Already Exists)

Here at the Vaynermedia office it’s quite common to have water-cooler* conversations about the side-projects we’re all working on during our nights and weekends (*we don’t actually have a water-cooler, but we did recently add a tea maker into the mix). It’s a normal thing for our atmosphere, I suppose. Personally, I’m always sketching mockups and scribbling pseudocode for new projects as well as additions to current projects, on my web browser sketch pad. I think there’s something crucial behind putting the idea down on paper. Actually, I believe this so much that the title of this blog was almost “Why your web app should always begin on paper”.

Perhaps it’s because Photoshop and I don’t get along, yet I still like the instant gratification of seeing a mock-up. Either way, when I was in 9th grade, I bought a sketch pad that never left the side of my bed. Every night before I went to sleep I would sketch what I called “a million dollar idea”. Sure, sometimes I was really tired and would just sketch some glorified swiss army cell phone capable of microwaving a turducken in 10 minutes, but I always tried to keep it focused on a web or desktop app that was 100% feasible and capable of being written immediately. The only reason I stopped, was because I became more focused on implementing the ideas that I really liked.

One of the huge hurdles I found myself running into time and time again was thinking up an idea, only to find out the application already existed after a quick Google search. Sometimes the application would have a couple of great core features, but really lacked the bells and whistles to make it a solid app. Other times the bells and whistles and the UI were there, but the core features fell short. Regardless, the problem was I always went back to the drawing board too soon. I felt like my project was doomed just because someone else had already thought of it. It took me a while to realize that if I wasn’t happy with the existing application, rolling my own app was actually a good idea. Even though I wasn’t the first, I could be the best (see google.com).

So if you’re unsatisfied with current applications, you should start compiling a wishlist of changes and additions. If you create your own Flickr, Delicious, Google Reader, Twitter client, etc, you’ll have full control over the goals and design of the app. The great part is that it’s highly unlikely that you’re the only user with these wishes. This group of users, those with a similar philosophy and viewpoint, would covert to your site over the current mainstream app. This creates a niche site within that domain, and if you’re reading this blog, you already know that’s huge.

A lot of folks get excited to build an application only to become discouraged when they realize attracting users and building content is a lot of work. The point is, if you need it, there is more than enough reason to build it. Be picky when building your dream application down to the last pixel. You don’t need to be a graphic designer, but if you know a designer you like to work with, great. If not, that’s fine too. Some of the best web applications out there are minimalistic CSS-only designs. Set up a saved search on Twitter for people dissatisfied with the mainstream application in question. Reach out to these users and see what they think is missing from the current app. If you like their suggestions, build them in. If not, forget about them (for now). This is your app and you’re the perfect person to answer the question, “what does this application need?”

This isn’t a blog entry about monetizing niche web applications, but it’s clear how building a better application out of your own necessity could be profitable. The point is that rolling a site that serves a better user experience for yourself is insanely rewarding and therapeutic (it’s the same feeling I get when I bake a perfect clone recipe of Samoa Girl Scout cookies). So next time you’re using an application that just doesn’t do what you need it to do, don’t just tweet about it, make it better.