Why All My Online Ideas Fail

Why All My Online Ideas Fail
Written by Samuel in Online Business

I began creating websites over 10 years ago, after my folks bought a 486 with a tiny 4.8k modem (though soon moving to a 56k modem). Over the years, I've seen many online trends and web companies rise and fall (although I missed some of the more "exciting" internet years occupied with college studies from 1999-2003). Yet despite being a semi-early internet user and website creator, not one of my internet business ideas have ever made any cash until this year. Why? Because I never implemented any business ideas!

I remember when Google AdWords and AdSense were still in their early stages, and I thought "what a great business opportunity" -- but I did nothing. I remember when I first read about a guy who was documenting his daily life online and how it was called "blogging." I wanted to begin a large blogging community back then, but thought "maybe later." And the list goes on and on through even this year, with missed opportunities for Facebook apps, iPhone sites, etc.

I'm convinced that there are plenty of people out there with million dollar ideas who fail because they never tried. I don't want to be one of them and neither should you. So I've made a commitment to launch one idea, one site, or one business, every month for the foreseeable future. A lofty goal perhaps, but I'm tired of wasting time. And for anyone else out there with an idea, commit yourself to an ultimatum and get it done (or you'll end up being that guy at parties who always brags about "how he could have made it big").

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Community Comments

Anthony Zinni
10/22/2007 11:27:19 AM

I agree 100% I have done the same thing numerous times. I am soo busy as a designer helping other people launch their really great business ideas that mine are always left on the back burner.

One that really got me, was when I was in college and the whole vintage tee shirt thing was just starting to take off I came up with the idea for a site that would sell really ironic/stuipid humour type shirt designs. Later that year someone else at my very school did the same thing (shamplade.com) and had their line picked up by urban outfitters. Now I know that had to have been a sweet deal....

Not anymore though, I have set goals to get my ideas out, no matter what I am doing! ;)

Justin
10/22/2007 11:48:48 AM

Heh...yeah, I can recall numerous late night pizza-roll-eating conversations with firends discussing what business we should start. Of course, no one wanted to work the 6 hours a night in the garage to actually get it done...I think we all just like mediocrity and the occasional big screen TV...

Brian
10/23/2007 1:58:30 AM

Just remember that it's quality, originality, the actual demand for what you've created, and not the quantity of completed projects that counts. =)

Samuel
10/23/2007 2:12:30 AM

@Brian -

Yes, you're right. But my theory is that I'm not a loss for good ideas (I think :-) or the ability to pull them off with quality -- my real issue is actually doing them. So I hope people understand that quality and originality are inherent to the ultimatum.

Brett
10/23/2007 7:53:40 AM

I like the enthusiasm and share your failures in developing successful online startups. I probably have a new idea for something and 10 projects sitting in the "gunna do" box.

I also believe that just because your "idea" might have already been done, doesn't mean you can't do it better. Good luck.

zasinas
10/23/2007 11:36:38 AM

one idea every month - you gotta be kidding

Just stick with one idea for one year - maybe you will do something than

from doing nothing to doing everything sounds like holy bible

llamaguy
10/23/2007 12:37:14 PM

I don't think 1 a month is impossible. especially if he's only freelancing parttime and has no kids. i don;t think he's planning on building google each month -- there are a TON of sites out there that get good profits and could be done in a couple weeks if someone had the talent and resources/old code to build on. even digg was built in a few weeks and $200.

Samuel
10/23/2007 1:15:54 PM

As the previous poster mentioned, one a month isn't too tough, especially when you work alone and have a lot to draw off of (I am from the school of "1 passionate individual can get more done than a some companies of 10").

Furthermore, it's not going from "nothing to everything." I currently launch multiple websites from scratch to finish monthly and enjoy working a lot -- the key here is that I'm always doing it for other people/businesses. That is what's gonna change...

Anonymusty
10/23/2007 2:04:39 PM

Shoemoney and his 1 programmer dude launch one site a week...

http://www.shoemoney.com/2007/10/16/below-a-buck-items-on-ebay-for-under-1/

Andrei Potorac
10/24/2007 7:00:53 PM

Hey buddy! :)

I bookmarked your blog a while ago when it was posted on FlashDen, and I had 20 free minutes to read this article while .Net installs. I got to do some homework. :)

Ok, getting back to the article - I am in the same situation as you are. I got a great idea and I get one at least every day, but none are as good as the one I have in mind for some weeks now.

My problem would be time, but also the fact once you want to start a business, you need to find the right guys to believe as much as you do in the idea, and also make them understand the potential of the business that can develop with time, not in days or even weeks.

That being said, I too work too much maybe for others. I am trying to stop so I can focus on me. I increased my rate three times in the last two months, and damn I am as busy! :)

I wish you good luck devoting some time for yourself and your ideas!

Oh Davey
10/30/2007 12:45:16 PM

I agree 100%. Everyone at one point or another comes up with a great idea. And for most people, they then spend all their time thinking of more reasons and excuses why their brainchild will fail rather than implementing it. "I don't know enough about it"... "I don't have enough time"... "There is too much competition"... the list goes on and on. Of course, you need to be somewhat logical and do market research, find a mentor, etc.. (if applicable) But what it really comes down to is believing in yourself, putting your blinders on, making the commitment, and not taking no for an answer. Who cares if you fail? There's always more ideas to make millions, and you're already a failure if you were afraid to try in the first place. Like anything else, you will encounter obstacles along the way. It's all part of the fun for true entrepreneurs. If you think it will be smooth sailing the whole way, you're wrong, so don't waste your time, money, and dreams. Go work for "the man" and help him get rich.

kev
11/24/2007 5:45:34 AM

hi there.

loving the blog, and i couldnt agree more with this

"I'm convinced that there are plenty of people out there with million dollar ideas who fail because they never tried. I don't want to be one of them and neither should you."

the difference between millionaires and the rest of us is that they act upon their ideas and make them happen.

in essence its that simple.

keep up the good work

SEO Ibiza
11/24/2007 5:47:25 AM

lol, didnt realise name would end up as anchor text, excuse the second post, sure you understand ;)

besides if the spammy one above me gets to stay..

kev

Dom
12/10/2007 4:19:00 PM

Fantastic website by the way.

Yeah I totally agree with what you are saying.

I have scheduled the Christmas fortnight leading up to the new year to sit down and work what projects I would like to for each month of 2008.

And just like the other posters trying to slow down and even charge more.

Amanda Daniels
12/18/2007 9:46:08 AM

What a brilliant article.. I have had ideas and they are all on paper on my desk..

I have already decided in my Christmas break I am going to do something about my ideas and get them started but this article has just motivated me even more and now I’m excited about being off and creating new things..

Thanks!

Steven Anderson
3/30/2008 4:07:59 PM

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Webknix
6/27/2008 2:34:40 PM

Superb Article

I too get so many ideas but i think my biggest issue about implementing them is not so much the development phase but the actual marketing phase that follows.

I have developed several ventures that simply lay dormant due to my lack of marketing knowledge/skills...

Anyone got ideas on how to best expose your new venture and market your site (without spending too much of course :) ???

lenso
8/28/2008 5:43:18 PM

Actualy, I didn't built a website to sell make million dolar business, but, i have a very good ebay company and it sells over $20m a year consumer electronics as an Titanium Power Seller. I started to ebay business w/$100 cash. I saw so many big companies failed when I'm making millions on ebay. They forget to use main key of success. They never got it. Actualy, It was very simple.
Now , I have many ideas. I don't want watch a 18years old kid making billions with simple ideas. I will build a company like idealab.com and bring smart people together to make real ideas and to make the life easier..

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