There's hardly a day where we do not encounter some brilliant idea or another about applications and products, which immediately entails the question: "how come it wasn't done yet?" A very good question indeed. What is the first stage, beside the mere will of the person who came up with the idea to take it a step further? How is a start-up born? The answer is embedded in a single sentence: when a fine idea comes to life in an entrepreneur's mind, it is only once it's business model had become clear enough that it becomes worthy of investment. Where is the catch? The above prima facie simple sentence contains variables that require very much attention and lots of energy. The amorphous notion of "a good idea" tells us that the idea points at a real need, which serves a wide target audience, namely that there is concrete market potential worthy of investment. That potential needs the polish, refinement and punctuality of the business model, which means identifying the competitors and the proper way to address the public, formulating appropriate explication of the proposed solution and the ways the target audience benefits thereof and outlining the available opportunities dwelling in the product and waiting to be picked-up. Leaping into the pool of the sharks Let's face it, there are many excellent ideas which didn’t make it past the "editing room" only because their initiators didn't have the vision or the financial resources to take them to the next level. Whoever succeeded to pass beyond that stage realizes in no time that in order to become a successful start-up one must attain a proper balance between the business model and the user experience. It is only during the last two years that this particular stage had drawn proper attention and based itself as an integral and important part of the road. UX – the connection between the business model and the user experience The order embedded in structured thinking facilitates clarity concerning the entire project. That requires an activity key which would help us to define the interface goals and make the proper prioritization, as well as understand the tracking path and how to improve it. Client segmentation The user experience is the meeting point which combines the interests of the client and those of the owner of the project and guarantees fertile interaction. In order to make it right, a profound acquaintance with the potential client is necessary. The following layout helps in attaining it: Defining the need which the product satisfies. Knowing the potential users and providing optimal solution to their needs. Their habits of using the Internet. What do they like? The basic principle in the user experience consists of four elements which are relevant to each one of the pages: Where did I arrive? What am I being offered?(value) How can I do it? (functionality) Does it serve the goal I defined, and how? Business models in interfaces There are some business models that sometimes it is possible and also right to combine between them. Here are the leading models: Premium model – as in the case of the 'Ha'aretz' newspaper. Whoever wishes to be able to read and enjoy the content, should make a monthly subscription at a low cost. Advertising model – the small difference between banners and locally directed information. This can be seen in an application which identifies location and responds with a focused advertising. For example, Waze. Mediation (realty) model (commissions) – this model is about providing a platform rather than selling products. For example, Etsy, which provides a stage for designers from which to sell their products, but whose model is selling the platform itself. Community model – the business profit consists in connecting many pieces into a single whole. For example, Candy Crash. The interest in the game is generated by the community which shares and charges fees for accessories in the actual game (live). Usability model – charges fees according to the use of a certain product or service. For example, storage services that are measured by means of traffic. Or the ISTOCK PHOTO that there is in using credit. Partners model – the business model of partners provides rewards in the form of commissions based on performance. The commission as well as the performance need to be determined in advance. CPS, CPA, CPL, CPC, CPD. I have an idea. What's next? In many cases people come to me with a premature idea or one which isn't accompanied by a firm business model (especially with applications). The first stage is strategy and building a business model through the user experience. The stage of planning is the most essential part before turning to the next stage – the stage of design. Upon having an application or an interface, or even only an idea of an application you wish to develop, you must focus on the quality of the user experience, which provides value for users, and on proper business planning for you as entrepreneurs.
