Best way to test interest in a mommy site?

December 9th, 2014

I'm testing interest in a mommy site. Here is my issue. If I post on facebook, I don't actually know how many people will SEE the post, particularly given that facebook screens posts and makes it harder for businesses to advertise for free (Even though mine is free). The link includes a survey, so obviously I know how many people end up doing the survey... but at what point do I say, X number of people have seen this, but only Y number are interested? Or will it just become clear with time?

I've also thought of google adwords, although ideally I don't want to spend anything. I'm also going to have friends share it and stuff, but that's a bit artificial in terms of results, because obviously my friends want to help me succeed.

I'm pretty new at this - any suggestions, book suggestions, etc...

Aaron Ellsworth

December 9th, 2014

Christine, Try google consumer surveys. They've worked well for me in the past and are relatively inexpensive. Otherwise, hit the streets and do personal interviews in high traffic areas. Good luck! Aaron Sent from my iPhone

Brina Bujkovsky User experience designer with 3 startups in the bag

December 9th, 2014

I think it would be worth $25 - $50 of super targeted Facebook ads to see if your idea has legs. That seems like money well spent.

Anonymous

December 9th, 2014

Hey Kristin,

The site is a mommy matching site. It helps moms find other moms within walking distance, with similarly aged kids, interests and/or parenting philosophy. It's all about bringing back the "village" feel to being a mommy.

Michael Brill Technology startup exec focused on AI-driven products

December 9th, 2014

You can try something likehttps://quickmvp.com. I think what you want to test is conversion at your site where you have the ability to deliver the full message. It may be quite difficult to get people to answer a questionnaire off of an fb post. (your conversion numbers off of a fb post will be very discouraging I think)

As you pointed out, you probably shouldn't rely on friends' responses. If you are, then I'll save you the effort and just tell you it's *awesome* idea. ;-)

Can you afford to take $200 and throw it at adwords? I'm not sure what Per Diem Crown Attorney means, but it sounds very cool... do an extra diem of work to find the money, give it to Google/Facebook and answer your question quickly.

Kristin Fitch Co-Founder ZiggityZoom Media-Online & Mobile Ed Tech- Content & Games- Business Educator & Mentor, Author, Speaker

December 9th, 2014

I guess then I'd first ask if you have researched similar sites or other sites with similar function (ex. are moms using meetup.com to connect, FB groups, etc.) and are you planning to first launch the matching function in specific cities so you can get enough moms into the site? I am assuming your survey asks moms if they would use this sort of site? But a question I have is who would use it? Is it moms with 1 to 3 year olds who stay or work from home? In other words, I am guessing if it is needed its for a very specific person, and in certain areas. I see mommeetmom.com and playgroup.meetup.com as places to start to see who they attract, how is your idea similar and different, etc. Then I'd work on defining your idea clearly (ex. define problem, your solution, who is your customer, how will you make money,etc). Also, what is your background? What role will you play in your effort?

Kevin Lentz

December 9th, 2014

I'd recommend reading:
The Four Steps to Epiphany - Steve Blank
Lean Startup - Eric Ries

You are in the Customer Development phase, and these books will explain this concept very well.

Googling 'How to do Customer Development' will probably give you quite a few ideas as well.

Best of luck!

Katchen Gerig Founder, FOFFit

December 9th, 2014

I would also suggest Mommy forums such as Mothers Clubs that are popular in various citys (Marin, Berkely, Boston, northshore Boston). You can reach out to friends/colleagues etc. to see who might be members or know someone who is. You could recruit people from there to test your concept.

Nabil Barhumi Business Development

December 12th, 2014

Hi, actually 100 replies out of 1200 is great! Ideally you will have an ideal number of members you want, SM has a tool whereby you enter that number and it tells you how many replies you need for the results to be statistically significant. Nabil

Liam Carolan Marketing Technologist

December 9th, 2014

Best way to test interest in a mommy site?Hi Christine. You just need a little help. (I think) Do you have a strategic plan that would give someone a clear idea of the beginning - the middle, the end and the results you're looking for?

James Hipkin CEO, Managing Director at Red8 Interactive

December 9th, 2014

Here's a thought, just do it.

You can launch a site pretty easily using WordPress, a Premium theme from a resource like StudioPress, and managed hosting from WPEngine. I recommend these resources, they aren't low cost options, because their product are very high quality, and they have excellent support. Then you can use Gravity Forms to create your own survey on the site. The initial investment is low, likely < $500, and you get a jump start on building traffic to the site. You also have started out on a platform, WordPress, that is very malleable, it can evolve as your knowledge increases and your needs change.

Use FaceBook, Twitter, Pinterest, word of mouth, etc., as feeder channels for the site, initially for the survey and eventually for the proposition.

The early bird got the worm because it was looking for the worm, not because it was early.

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