Does Your Widget Or Web 2.0 Application Solve Problems?

By Jim Kukral • March 21, 2007 • BumpZee, Online Marketing, Web 2.0, Web Tools, Widgets • 2492 Comments2007-03-22+02%3A42%3A06Jim+Kukral

Today I was part of a panel on Web 2.0 over the ecomXpo, moderated by Shawn Collins, and including me, Scott Jangro and Sam Harrelson. It was entitled ‘Web 2.0: Views from the Thought Shapers’.

Pretty cool panel. We discussed a list of about 43 web 2.0 websites and widgets and gave our thoughts on each. Shawn has a list of the sites on his blog here.

Beyond just talking about those sites listed and some widgets, I specifically wanted to make one major point, which I will share here now.

Widgets, Web 2.0 Applications & Everything Else You Build Online Are A Waste Of Time Unless They Are Easy To Use, Easy To Understand & Solve A Particular Problem

People come to the Internet to have their problems solved, or to have fun. So if you are thinking about creating a widget or web 2.0 application, perhaps you should first ask yourself “how will this solve a problem for my target?” Then, and only then, when you have a clear answer should you proceed.

Case in point, you all know I LOVE BUMPzee. Why?

Because it solves problems for me. It saves me time. It exposes me to new sources of content in my niche without me having to work to find it. It connects me with people in my industry.

BumpZee

Oh yeah, and it’s fun to go there every day and follow conversations real time. Not to mention that the widget allows people to bump my stories up which provides my own blog and thoughts with more exposure.

Solve problems, and you’ll win.

When you join Jim's group you join thousands of other successful people who want to work together to grow their brands and businesses. When you join today, you'll get instant access to Jim's latest webinar replay entitled "The New Rules of Self-Publishing".

Business Around A Lifestyle

The world changed on 9/11 in so many different ways. Since that day, there has been a major shift happening in the way people think and live their lives. Sure, many people still chase the dollar as their ultimate goal. However, many more people have begun to realize that the world could, well, end tomorrow.

That's why people are choosing to pursue a business around a lifestyle, instead of a lifestyle controlled by their business. It makes sense, right? If the world was going to end tomorrow, would you still try to live your life in a way you never wanted to?

Take a look around you and you'll see that this shift to becoming a lifestyle entrepreneur is being adopted by more and more people every day. Some of those people are falling into it because they have been laid off from their jobs and are literally forced into it. Some of those people just figure out a way to make it happen because of the "end of the world" thinking mentioned above.

24922007-03-22+02%3A42%3A06Jim+Kukral Awesome Comments So Far

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Will→
March 22, 2007 at 1:01 pm #

I am not sure I fully agree, I think the majority of people these days are interested in gimmicks and Gadgets and this in it self creates a niche market for widgets and other web 2.o functions whether the are useful or not. As long as you come up with an idea that like you say is easy to use and adds an edge to your site it is very likely to take off. Sites like BumpZee I agree with you are great and in this case does solve a problem, bringing internet users together so we can share our views and opinions to the rest of the world, sounds great. Nice Blog though :-)
Jim Kukral→
March 22, 2007 at 1:05 pm #

Will, name me one super-successful long term product or brand that is a gimmick or gadget? And not the Pet Rock either :)

The point is, long-term, you cannot, and will not survive if your product or widget doesn’t A. Solve problems for someone, B. Provide some type of pleasure or fun.