During this conversation with Simon Kemper, CEO of Datacake, we elaborated on designing and building IoT solutions. Simon shared his personal approach to creating trust with customers and an effective marketing strategy.
Simon provided a wealth of valuable insights and practical suggestions. Here are some key takeaways from our engaging discussion:
Biggest Challenge - Finding Customers: The biggest challenge faced by IoT startups is acquiring customers. There is a great deal of competition for customers, so a clear value proposition and ease of adoption are mandatory characteristics of a successful IoT undertaking.
Believe in What You Are Doing and Stick with It: It is essential to believe in your product or service and to be persistent in your efforts. The IoT market is still evolving, and there will be many challenges along the way. However, if you stay focused and determined, you can overcome these challenges and achieve success.
Clear Separation Between the Front End and Backend: It is vital to have a clear separation between the front end of your IoT product or service (what is exposed to the users) and the backend (the logic and data structure). This design reduces complexity and simplifies the development and maintenance of your product.
Find a Niche or a Particular Problem to Solve: To be successful in the IoT business, it is necessary to find a niche or a particular problem that you can solve by leveraging technology. Building a generic low- or no-code platform is a risky proposition. It is better to focus on a specific market or customer base and develop a product or service tailored to their unique needs.
Free-Plan - Essential Feature or a Vulnerability: Offering a free plan can be a great way to attract new customers and generate leads. Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to showcase the value of your offering and build a loyal customer base. However, it is essential to consider the risks associated with offering a free plan. For example, customers may abuse the free plan or use it to gain access to features that they would not normally be able to afford.
Insights on Product Design: The design of your IoT product or service is critical to its success. Here are a few insights to consider when designing your product or service:
- Make it easy to use.
- Make it visually appealing.
- Make it reliable.
- Make it secure.
- Make it scalable.
Simon’s real-world experience and practical advice provide invaluable guidance for anyone looking to embark on their own IoT journey. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, I recommend listening to this conversation.
