Break Room / Start
Who's already doing it?
Just being Frank here
Somebody's probably already doing it, and that's mostly good news, because it means people pay for it. Spend an hour reading their bad reviews. That's where you'll find the customers they're letting down.
1. Make a list of ten
Search the words you found in Is anyone searching for this? and write down who shows up. Check Google, Etsy or Amazon if it's a product, the app stores if it's an app, and Google Maps if it's local. A simple spreadsheet is enough:
| Column | What to write |
|---|---|
| Name and link | Where you found them |
| Price | What they charge, and how (one-time, monthly, per hour) |
| Who it's for | In their own words, from their homepage |
| Reviews | How many, and the average rating |
No competition is the warning sign
If you can't find anyone doing it, it usually means nobody's figured out how to make money at it yet. A crowded market only becomes a problem when you can't say who you're for.
2. Read the one- to three-star reviews
Go to Amazon, Etsy, Google Maps or the app store, whichever fits, and read the unhappy reviews of your top few competitors. Copy the complaints that come up again and again: too slow, too expensive, too complicated, nobody answers the phone. Those complaints are your selling points.
Reading bad reviews is like reading the company engagement survey. Same complaints, every year.
SideFrog's “Read their bad reviews” prompt will group the complaints for you if you paste them into Claude or ChatGPT.
3. Check what people pay
Note the cheapest price, the most expensive and where most of them land. If you plan to be cheaper than everyone, have a reason, because the cheapest option attracts the customers who leave fastest.
4. Look where people complain out loud
Search Reddit and Facebook groups for the competitor's name plus “alternative” or “too expensive.” People who are actively looking for something else are your easiest first customers.
5. Find your opening
Usually it's one of three things: a smaller group of buyers the big players ignore, one problem they handle badly, or a simpler version for people who don't need everything. Write it as one sentence: “For [who], who are tired of [problem].” If you can't fill in the blanks, keep reading reviews.
Got an idea? SideFrog gives you a straight verdict, who'd pay, a first test to run and names with an open .com, in about ten seconds.
Check your ideaWant help building it? Mark helps people vibe code their first site with AI. Pick a time with Mark or message him on LinkedIn.
Questions people ask
What if a big company already does this?
Big companies serve big groups of customers. A side hustle can win by serving a small group better, faster or more personally. Look for the customers they don't bother with.
Can I compete on price?
You can, but it's the easiest advantage to lose. Someone can always go lower. A specific group of buyers or a problem you solve better holds up longer.
What if they copy me?
Most won't notice a small new business. If they do, it usually means you found something real, and you'll know your customers better than they do.