Hello Small Business Community!

I’m in the process of developing an app designed to strengthen the connection between local businesses and customers by providing real-time inventory information. Before proceeding further, I’d love to get your input on this concept.

For Businesses:

  • Real-Time Inventory Exposure: Your inventory will be visible to local shoppers in real-time, increasing the likelihood of sales.
  • Drive Foot Traffic: By showing customers exactly what you have in stock, the app aims to increase in-store visits.
  • Local Community Engagement: Be part of a platform that promotes local shopping and community support.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Easy to update your inventory, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
  • Marketing Opportunities: Enhanced visibility in the local community without the need for extensive marketing efforts.
  • Insights and Analytics: Gain insights into customer preferences and shopping trends in your area.

For Individuals:

  • Save Time and Effort: No more wasted trips! Know exactly which store has what you need before you go.
  • Support Local Businesses: Easily find and buy what you need locally, supporting your community’s businesses.
  • Personalized Shopping Experience: Get recommendations and notifications about items of your interest.
  • Community Connection: Be part of a platform that enriches your local shopping experience and community ties.

Seeking Your Feedback:

  • Would you use this app? Why or why not?
  • What features would you like to see in such an app?
  • What concerns or suggestions do you have about this concept?

Your insights are invaluable to making this app truly beneficial for small businesses and local shoppers. Looking forward to your thoughts and feedback!

  • horsewitnoname@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The hardest part is going to be keeping active inventory numbers from small businesses.

    Most small business owners are not going to go through the headache of letting your app know when they have changes in inventory, especially if you expect them to do it for free (DoorDash will often pay hesitant small business to sign up to be on its service, for example).

    If you’re planning to use APIs to connect your backend DB to every small business POS system, your backend team better be determined. Are they going to go to each business individually to troubleshoot when things aren’t working? What if a business is using an obscure POS system that charges ridiculous fees for every API call; are you paying for that?

    Have you built an app for a business before? How successful has it been?

    I don’t doubt the idea, I just know that as someone that does app development as a hobby you’re looking at something rather expensive to maintain properly over the long run, and I’m not seeing a clear path to monetize it that will subsidize it.

    • Other_Neighborhood74@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Hello, thanks for your response. About the headache to update the inventory, you are right. I have thought about connecting to POS systems, but I am trying my best to keep cost to the minimal as I know this could be high -cost maintenance. Whilst I have not built apps for business in particular, I have had experience with others. I am planning to make this app follow a freemium strategy