Can’t do coding , yet want to startup? It’s possible!

Imagine having your own startup, without writing a single line of computer code yourself. Seeing your dream come true. An app solving problems that you’ve been facing. Your family members feeling joyful seeing your app. Is it possible? Yes it is definitely possible!

Whether you’re a doctor, lawyer, school teacher or a career counsellor – you can have your own startup. Are you convinced on your idea’s market potential? You’re sure that doing it will make you happy? Are you holding yourself back as you don’t know programming? Then there’s nothing to worry, as you can have the mobile or web app of your dreams.

To start with

You have two options. First is to find a tech confounder or CTO. S/he will make the application and you can take care of other aspects. You’ll have to give them minimum 20% equity in your company. I’ve explained more on this in my post. If this sounds like something you don’t want to do, then go for next option. Which is to outsource to an IT company, who will convert your ideas into reality.

This article talks about basic steps to outsource and how to have your own startup, without learning to code.

This is what you need to do, to launch startup without coding yourself:

1. Start writing down your thoughts. What problem you want to solve. How you want to solve. What USP you’ll be offering over existing players. Create some basic wire frames of the application screens, how it’ll look like and what it’ll do. All your product specifications should be in written. Let this take time, as it’ll form a good base for future. One you can pen down what you’re visualising, it means you’re set for the next stage.
2. Think of a budget , how much you’ll want to spend. Along with time of till when to invest by which you expect to make profits. In IT, there’s always a lot of variance in costs. An e-commerce website can cost USD 1,00,000-1,50,000 from a Los Angeles based company. The same site may cost $1,000 – 2,500 from a web development company in India. While defining a budget, keep some buffer aside if the vendor asks for an increase. If your budget is 50 they may ask to take it to 60-65, certainly not to 250.
3. Find an IT company or startup studio. Ask people around you , if they’ve worked with one. If not then see whether you are comfortable working with a local company or want to outsource. You can get list of local companies on google or yellow pages. Visit their offices, see the infrastructure, talk to their management , and analyse whether they appeal to you. If you want to outsource to a remote company, then post your job requirement on online marketplaces such as Upwork or Toptal. Do mention your fixed cost budget. Figure out which responses attract you more. Then check out the presence of each applicant on the net. If it seems to be a genuine company who can do the work confidently, then set up a video call with them. Remember that cheaper will not always be better. Nor will be the most expensive one. Go for something in between, who can give clarity on their plan and experience. Also ask which tech stack they’ll be using. Make it clear that the technologies should be maintainable in near future.
4. Think on where all you’ll have to do program level changes in future. Such as system configuration or application settings. It shouldn’t happen that you have to make code changes for smallest of things. Ask the vendor for a web based panel which you can use to do basic changes , without having to do coding. Now see which company will give you a solution within your budget range and appears to be most genuine. You have to choose just one company.
5. Sign a NDA. You can also ask the company to share suggestions on making the product better. The final decision will be yours, on whether to accept those suggestions or not.
6. Ask the company to send a written proposal , with all t&c defined, along with payment milestones. If you want you can get them reviewed by a lawyer or someone who’s got IT projects developed.
7. Send the first payment and keep tracking the project progress regularly. Every day or so you must be knowing how far your project has reached. All leading Marketplaces come with rights to protect legal interests of people like you, so that you get refund in case of non-delivery. This will keep the company on their toes, to deliver you a quality and bug-free product.
8. Review every piece of design being given to you. Once you get working piece of software, test run it yourself from start to end. Ask the company for test case document and later use it to tally your tests with what they’ve done.
9. When you’re satisfied , get it uploaded on server. Try to keep domain and hosting with you, so that you’re in charge of your intellectual property.
10. Work on marketing. Write blogs, post on Facebook, run paid ads, etc.
11. If required in your geography, then legally register your company.
12. Make your startup dreams come true. 🙂

Important points to remember

Execution is more important than idea. It’ll be a plus if you have some level of domain experience in the territory you’re about to enter. If you don’t have then be prepared to invest significant time on it, as if your life depends on it.

• Your own research will matter. As Warren Buffet once famously remarked, “Don’t ask the barber whether you need a haircut“. Startup studios will usually encourage you to go ahead, they might even give positive facts in its favour. You have to trust yourself more than others.
• If you’re a successful tuition teacher then it makes sense to launch an Ed tech startup , basically taking your classes online. If you’re pro at mutual funds then you can take them online in a platform for your customers. Sometimes, the best ideas lie so close to us that we simply overlook them.
• Be prepared to change. You won’t understand exactly what customer wants until you enter the market. Whatever you make you will have to do some changes later.
• Reduce risk. Don’t fall into trap of people who say that just do it, rest will be taken care of. Instead, prepare properly. Figure out your passions. Study the market for profitable ventures. Make sure you have the capability to do it.
• Enjoy the process. You have to run a long marathon, not a short sprint. Every startup has its own destiny. You can’t predict when it’s time of reckoning will arrive. Think positive. Be realistic.

For readers of this blog

Do you know anyone, who can’t program yet wants to have their own startup? If yes then do good karma and share this article with them. Because these days it’s not too difficult to see ideas turning into reality. If you still have any queries, kindly write in comments box below.