Project vs Product

A common pitfall for developers is the confusion between a project and a product. This distinction is crucial for entrepreneurial success.

Project

A project is a software application built for personal enjoyment or as a technical exercise. The focus is often on the fun of coding, without significant concern for quality, performance, or market viability. The end result is typically a neat application that is not useful to a broad audience.

Product

A product is a project that people are willing to pay for. It solves a real problem for a specific market. A product requires a market-first approach, where the needs of the customer are identified and validated before development begins.

Most developers with a product idea have a clear vision of how to build it, but little to no idea of how to reach potential customers. This "product-first" approach is a common recipe for failure, as it often leads to building something that no one wants to buy. A successful startup is built on a product, not just a project.