Hey everyone! I'm looking to build a mentorship marketplace similar to MentorCruise or GrowthMentor where clients can chat with mentors, book calls, and have access to other features. The catch is, I'm not technical and I don't plan on finding a technical co-founder anytime soon because I'm not confident about vetting one for the long term. My goal is to test an MVP, gain some traction, and then attract a quality software engineer down the line.
So, what do you all suggest? Should I dive into coding and gradually build it over the next few months, or should I leverage no-code tools like Bubble.io? Both methods have their pros and cons. I come from a sales and marketing background but want to get a bit technical during this early phase until I can onboard a solid engineer. I'm looking to prepare for the next 6-8 months, so I'd appreciate any honest thoughts on the best approach to get this rolling. Thanks for your insights!
4 Answers
Honestly, if you're serious about your idea, hiring a developer right now would be the best move. Trying to code something yourself as a beginner isn't going to impress anyone or get you the quality you need. Focus on what you do best and let someone else handle the coding part.
Exactly! It’s tough to justify that kind of investment upfront when you're still in the testing phase.
I totally agree with that approach. As a developer myself, trying to build something from scratch without a solid understanding of coding will just waste your time. You should focus on getting your idea out there quickly using a no-code platform like Bubble.io. Once you get traction, a software engineer will be easier to attract when they see your potential.
That makes sense! No-code tools could really help me get my feet wet and test the waters before bringing on a developer.
Right? Gathering user feedback sooner rather than later is key. You can always learn some coding on your own later for ongoing development.
If your goal is speed, definitely use no-code platforms! They allow you to launch quicker and pivot based on initial user feedback. You can learn coding later while still having a product out there. Starting simple and iterative is usually the key to success in the early stages.
Thanks for the input! If I go with no-code, are there any other platforms you'd recommend besides Bubble?
Bubble is great, but you might also look into platforms like Adalo or Glide. They each have their own strengths depending on what features you want.
If you're unsure about coding now, just remember that familiarizing yourself with it can be beneficial. Understanding the basics helps you set realistic timelines and collaborate better with a developer later on. It's a good skill to learn as you go!
I get that, but hiring a dev might set you back $5k to $10k when you're just trying to launch an MVP. I can see where the hesitation comes from with such costs.