Create Digital Products With Gareth Quinn, Digital Technology, Digital Start-Up

Create Digital Products: An Introduction

Creating a digital product requires strategic planning, technical skills, and an understanding of your target audience. Digital products, as opposed to physical products, consist of goods or services distributed in digital format, often via downloads or online access.

Examples include eBooks, online courses, subscription software, mobile apps, digital templates, and web services.

The interesting thing about business success is that no two journeys are the same. With Gareth Quinn – he not only has one business success story – but two under his belt.

From an acclaimed digital event to launching a revolutionary digital platform – Gareth has done it all – and only in five years.

In this week’s Business Leaders interview, host Ciaran Connolly sits down with digital entrepreneur Gareth to find out about his impressive achievements with companies

Digital DNA and Kairos, what advice he has to give plus more.
Watch the full interview below and read on to learn more.

From Public Sector to Digital Innovator

In our interview, Gareth explains how his “weird and varied” background saw him being kicked out of university and working in the public sector.

“I went to university and did computing and information systems back in the day, then got kicked out of university. I had to drop to an HND and did that part-time. Meanwhile I got a job in the public sector in the Lord Mayor’s office.

“I still had a passion for technology and business. I then got a business qualification which gave more of an appetite, but I didn’t know how to get back into business and technology.

“Then I started Digital DNA.”

The Rise of Digital DNA

Gareth’s first business, Digital DNA, became a solution to Gareth’s problem of not knowing where to start in the tech business.

Digital DNA is an annual event that connects the tech community through innovation, annual awards and events in Belfast. Covering topics from digital marketing to cyber security, e-commerce to medical tech – it is Northern Ireland’s hub for digital specialists to network and advance their knowledge.

Talking about how Digital DNA came to fruition in 2013, Gareth admits that he thought the event would simply be a ‘one-off’.

“The idea was a one-off event, which spiralled.

“We ended up getting some lucky breaks – we got a sponsor from NYSE Technologies, who are the company who provide the trading software for the New York stock exchange. They wanted their CEO to come and speak at this event, which raised the profile and then other sponsors wanted to get involved.

“Then all of a sudden this little event turned into something bigger.”
In 2013, the event attracted 300 people. Gareth’s “play thing” as he describes it, turned out to be a revolutionary gap filler in the digital market.

Not only was it revolutionary for the professionals involved – but budding entrepreneurs too.

“Alongside the event, we also ran an event for young people.

“Once the CEO of NYSE and representatives from Facebook and Google finished speaking, we brought them into a separate room to engage with young people who were only 13 or 14 years of age.

“I just wanted to inspire the kids and showcase to them the role that technology will play and create some sort of entrepreneurial spirit.”

Not only did Gareth and the Digital DNA speakers inspire, they encouraged a group of students form Cookstown High School to create their own app, which they then went on to present to a panel on Junior Dragon’s Den at Buckingham Palace.

Before Gareth knew, Digital DNA surged in popularity, and has gone on to become a key industry event each year.

“Now it’s at 2,500 people over two days instead of 300 in one day – you wonder how it even happened. But mainly it’s down to valuable partnerships, an amazing team and me interfering every now and then.”

Kairos: The Digital Sports Solution

After founding Digital DNA, Gareth embarked on his second venture, Kairos, alongside the then Ulster rugby player Andrew Trimble.

Kairos is a digital platform dedicated to helping elite sports clubs and players own and improve their performance. Its technology incorporates scheduling, planning and analytical tools to help athletes accurately prepare to perform.

Gareth recaps how Andrew approached him about a problem the sports professionals were facing everyday.

“Andrew said: ‘At the minute, all of our scheduling and planning is done through the team on a whiteboard at the Kingspan Stadium. Players come in and hand write which slot they want for different activities’.

“Andrew couldn’t help but think that this scheduling could be done better digitally, and could help players be able to perform better come match day.

“What we wanted to do was to work out how to empower and enable an elite athlete to own their plan.”

After identifying this gap in the market – conducting market research and mastering the technology has taken them two years to complete.

“We started a process of engaging quite intensely with the market, such as Ulster and Ireland rugby through Andrew. We also engaged the football market. We went to the Etihad campus, which is Manchester City’s training grounds, and we were able to see how they operate.

“Over that period, we’ve done a lot of market engagement and tried to get a good understanding of what the market wanted. In January 2018 we started to build the solution.

“We’ve now got the solution in the market and it is now used by a couple of professional sport clubs and the feedback has all been very positive.”

With Gareth’s roster of specialist contacts in the digital industry and innovative drive to fill gaps in the market, he has managed to build two valuable brands in the space of five years.

Advice on Starting a Digital Business

For those who are interested in starting their own business, Gareth stresses that while businesses only present what they want customers to see, no business has got to where they are without fallbacks.

“First of all I would say that people on the outside looking at businesses, they see what you want to present like the customers and the brand, but they don’t see the difficulties and challenges.

“With Digital DNA it was an unbelievable journey. With Kairos I have been able to enjoy it more because if you get knocked back, I know now you can bounce back which was a massive learning curve for me.”

When it comes to advice, Gareth states the importance of trusting yourself and not being afraid to reach out and make relationships.

“In terms of advice, my thing is overcomplicating things. Whether you’re looking at finance, marketing, communicating messages – I had a tendency to overcomplicate things. I know the phrase ‘trusting your gut’ is overused but sometimes the first thing you think of is going to be the best way to do things.

“I have also asked so many people for help over the years. When I left City Hall, I spent three years in coffee shops meeting people, trying to work out if their motivations and my motivations aligned for a win-win whereby we can help each other. Relationships are so important and I would not have had the success I had with Digital DNA without them.”

To find out what else Ciaran and Gareth covered about the digital business world – check out the full Business Leaders video interview.

the Ideation and Design Phases: Building Powerful Digital Products

Launching a successful digital product demands meticulous planning, and it all starts with a strong foundation. Let’s delve deeper into the Ideation Phase and Design Phase, unpacking key steps to ensure your product resonates with your target audience and delivers genuine value:

Ideation Phase:

1. Identifying Customer Needs:

• Market Research: Dive into relevant industry reports, competitor analysis, and social media conversations to understand existing trends and gaps in the market.
• Surveys and Interviews: Conduct surveys and interviews with potential customers to directly tap into their needs, pain points, and preferences.
• Problem-Solution Fit: Analyze your findings to identify a specific problem your product can solve and ensure it directly addresses a pain point for your target audience.

2. Validating Product Ideas with Surveys:

• Concept Testing: Present preliminary product concepts to potential customers through surveys and gather feedback on their desirability, feasibility, and potential price points.
• Pre-Orders and Crowdfunding: Gauge market interest by offering pre-orders or launching a crowdfunding campaign. This provides valuable data and helps secure early funding.
• Landing Page Experimentation: Create a mock landing page with key product features and benefits, track visitor engagement, and analyze potential purchase intent.

3. Competitor Analysis:

• Identify Direct and Indirect Competitors: Analyze strengths, weaknesses, and pricing strategies of similar products to understand the competitive landscape.
• Differentiate Your Offering: Highlight unique features, superior value propositions, and any gaps your product fills that competitors miss.
• Learn from Successes and Failures: Analyze what works and what doesn’t for your competitors to inform your own product development and avoid potential pitfalls.

4. Defining Your Target Audience and Buyer Personas:

• Demographics and Psychographics: Create detailed profiles of your ideal customers, including age, location, income, interests, and pain points.
• Customer Journey Mapping: Understand your target audience’s needs and challenges at each stage of their journey to tailor your product and messaging accordingly.
• Segmenting Your Audience: Identify sub-groups within your target audience with specific needs and personalize your marketing and product features to resonate with each segment.

Design Phase:

1. Outlining Product Features and Functionality:

• Prioritize Essential Features: Focus on core functionalities that address your target audience’s needs and provide immediate value.
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Develop an initial version with essential features for early testing and feedback.
• Roadmap for Future Development: Create a roadmap for adding additional features based on user feedback and market trends.

2. User Experience (UX) Design:

• Intuitive Navigation: Ensure users can easily find and use all product features with minimal learning curve.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Design your product to be accessible for users with diverse abilities and needs.
• Information Architecture: Organize content logically and hierarchically to make it easy for users to find what they need.

3. User Interface (UI) Design:

• Visually Appealing and Engaging: Create a clean, modern, and aesthetically pleasing interface that resonates with your target audience.
• Branding Consistency: Integrate your brand identity into the design to create a cohesive and recognizable experience.
• Responsive Design: Ensure your product adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices for optimal user experience.

4. Prototyping and Testing:

• Low-fidelity Prototypes: Begin with paper or wireframe prototypes to quickly test core functionalities and user flows.
• High-fidelity Prototypes: Develop interactive prototypes that closely resemble the final product for in-depth user testing and feedback.
• Usability Testing: Observe users interacting with your prototypes and gather feedback on their experience to identify and address any usability issues.

Development Phase: Bringing Your Digital Vision to Life

With a solid foundation laid in the Ideation and Design phases, your digital product is now ready to take shape. Welcome to the Development Phase, where your vision transforms into a functional reality:

1. Choosing Technology Platforms and Tools:

• Backend Technology: Select a reliable backend platform to manage data, logic, and secure operations. Consider factors like scalability, security, and integration with other tools.
• Frontend Technology: Choose frontend frameworks and libraries based on your desired features and user experience goals. Popular options include React, Vue.js, and Angular.
• Content Management System (CMS): If your product involves dynamic content, choosing a suitable CMS facilitates content creation, management, and delivery.

2. Backend Development:

• Server-Side Development: Build the server-side infrastructure to handle data storage, user authentication, and API interactions.
• Database Management: Choose and implement a database solution that efficiently stores and retrieves data to power your product’s functionalities.
• Security Measures: Integrate robust security features to protect user data, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure overall application security.

3. Frontend Development:

• User Interface (UI) Implementation: Translate your UI designs into code, bringing your product’s visual elements to life with interactive features.
• User Experience (UX) Implementation: Focus on optimizing user flows, responsiveness, and accessibility to ensure a smooth and intuitive experience.
• Integration with APIs and Services: Connect your product with external APIs or services (e.g., payment gateways, social media platforms) to enhance functionality.

4. Content Creation:

• Develop Compelling Content: Create user-friendly guides, tutorials, marketing materials, and any other necessary content to support and engage your audience.
• Localization and Accessibility: Consider translating and adapting content for different languages and regions to reach a broader audience.
• SEO Optimization: Ensure your content is discoverable by search engines for optimal user acquisition and marketing impact.

5. Testing and Quality Assurance (QA):

• Unit Testing: Test individual components of your code for functionality and accuracy.
• Integration Testing: Ensure different parts of your application work together seamlessly.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Give real users early access to test the application and provide feedback on functionality and usability.
• Bug Fixing and Performance Optimization: Identify and resolve any bugs or performance issues before launch.

Unveiling Your Masterpiece: Go-To-Market Strategy for Your Digital Product

Congratulations! You’ve painstakingly crafted your digital product, from inception to a fully functional reality. Now, it’s time to unveil your masterpiece to the world. Enter the Go-To-Market Strategy (GTM), your roadmap to captivating your target audience and achieving sustainable success. Let’s delve into the key pillars of a winning GTM:

1. Pricing Models:

• Freemium: Offer a basic version for free with limited features, and convert users to paid subscriptions for advanced functionalities.
• Subscription: Deliver ongoing value through recurring monthly or annual fees, ideal for content-rich or service-based products.
• One-Time Purchase: Charge a fixed price for the product upfront, suitable for simpler products or those with defined content sets.
• Pay-Per-Use: Allow users to purchase specific features or functionalities on an individual basis, offering flexibility and catering to diverse needs.

2. Marketing and Launch Plan:

• Pre-Launch Buzz: Generate excitement through social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, or early access programs to build anticipation.
• Targeted Content Marketing: Create blog posts, videos, and tutorials that address your audience’s pain points and showcase your product’s value proposition.
• Community Building: Foster engagement through online forums, Q&A sessions, and user-generated content to build a loyal community around your product.
• Launch Day Celebration: Create a memorable launch event, offering limited-time discounts, exclusive features, or giveaways to attract attention and drive sign-ups.

3. Distribution Platforms:

• Direct Website Sales: Sell your product directly through your own website, maximizing control over branding and customer experience.
• App Stores and Online Marketplaces: Utilize popular app stores or online marketplaces like Google Play, Apple App Store, or relevant B2B platforms to reach a wider audience.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with complementary businesses or influencers to cross-promote each other’s products and leverage existing audiences.
• Affiliate Marketing: Partner with bloggers or other online influencers to promote your product in exchange for a commission on sales generated through their links.

4. Ongoing Product Optimization:

• Data-Driven Decisions: Analyze user behavior, website traffic, and customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and prioritize feature updates or bug fixes.
• Experimentation and A/B Testing: Test different features, pricing models, and marketing campaigns to understand what resonates best with your audience and optimize for success.
• Embrace User Feedback: Actively solicit and incorporate user feedback through surveys, social media interactions, and customer support channels to enhance your product continuously.
• Regular Content Updates: Keep your product fresh and engaging with new features, content additions, and improvements based on user preferences.

Advantages of Digital Products:

• Lower Production Costs: No need for physical materials, manufacturing facilities, or inventories, resulting in significantly lower overhead and quicker time to market.
• Scalability and Global Reach: Digital products can be easily replicated and distributed without geographical limitations, reaching a global audience instantaneously.
• Accessibility and Convenience: Users can access digital products instantly from any device with an internet connection, providing immense convenience and flexibility.
• Updates and Improvements: Digital products can be continuously updated and improved without incurring the costs and logistics associated with physical product revisions.
• Data-Driven Optimization: User behavior and usage data can be readily tracked and analyzed, allowing for data-driven decisions to optimize features and marketing strategies.
• Wide Range of Pricing Models: Diverse pricing models like subscriptions, freemium, pay-per-use, or one-time purchases offer greater flexibility and cater to different user needs.
• Eco-Friendly: No physical production or materials translate to a smaller environmental footprint, making digital products a more sustainable alternative.

Challenges of Digital Products:

• Intangibility and Trust: Customers can’t physically touch or experience digital products before purchase, potentially impacting trust and perceived value.
• Competition and Discovery: The online marketplace is vast and highly competitive, making it harder for new digital products to stand out and be discovered.
• Tech Dependence and Accessibility: Accessing and using digital products requires reliable internet connectivity and compatible devices, potentially limiting reach and inclusivity.
• Security and Piracy: Digital products are vulnerable to hacking, data breaches, and piracy, necessitating robust security measures and potential revenue loss.
• Customer Support and Engagement: Maintaining long-term engagement with users and providing effective customer support can be challenging in the digital realm.

Ultimately, the choice between digital and physical products depends on factors like:

• Product type and functionality: Some products are inherently better suited for a digital format, while others require a physical presence.
• Target audience and preferences: Consider your target market’s access to technology, comfort with digital purchases, and preferred buying habits.
• Business goals and resources: Analyze your production and distribution capabilities, budget limitations, and long-term vision for the product.

FAQ: Your Digital Product Development Journey

Q: What are the biggest challenges in creating a successful digital product?

A: Some key challenges include:

• Validating and refining your product idea: Ensure it solves a real problem and resonates with your target audience.
• Balancing features and development resources: Prioritize core functionalities without overwhelming your budget or timeline.
• Standing out in a crowded market: Craft a unique value proposition and effective marketing strategy to reach your audience.
• Building user trust and overcoming the intangible nature of digital products: Focus on clear communication, transparency, and positive user experiences.
• Continuously adapting and improving: Remain open to feedback, embrace data-driven decisions, and prioritize ongoing innovation.

Q: What resources are available to help me develop my digital product?

A: A wealth of resources can support your journey! Here are some starting points:

• Online courses and tutorials: Learn the fundamentals of product development, design, and marketing from industry experts.
• Digital product communities and forums: Connect with other creators, share experiences, and seek advice from like-minded individuals.
• E-books and blogs: Stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in digital product development.
• Freelance platforms and agencies: Find talented professionals to support your project with specific skills and expertise.
• Government grants and incubation programs: Depending on your location, resources and support options might be available to help emerging digital businesses.

Q: How much does it cost to develop a digital product?

A: Costs vary significantly depending on several factors, including:

• Product complexity and features: Simple products require less investment than feature-rich applications.
• Technology stack and tools: Different tools and platforms come with varying pricing structures.
• Team size and expertise: Hiring external professionals vs. relying on internal resources impacts costs.
• Marketing and launch budget: Building awareness and acquiring users adds to the overall expense.

It’s crucial to define your budget early and consider cost-effective approaches. Remember, a great product doesn’t always require the biggest investment.

Q: How can I ensure my digital product is successful in the long run?

A: Focus on the following:

• Prioritize your target audience: Understand their needs, preferences, and pain points, and cater your product accordingly.
• Build a strong customer base: Foster user engagement, provide excellent customer support, and encourage loyalty through ongoing improvements.
• Embrace data-driven decisions: Track user behavior, analyze data, and use insights to optimize your product and marketing strategies.
• Continuously innovate and update: Stay ahead of the curve by adding new features, experimenting with new technologies, and adapting to market trends.
• Develop a sustainable business model: Choose a suitable pricing strategy, explore revenue streams, and manage your resources effectively.

The Journey Never Ends: Conclusion and Continuous Improvement

Congratulations! You’ve navigated the exhilarating journey of digital product development, from the spark of an idea to a polished masterpiece ready to conquer the market. But remember, the journey doesn’t end at launch. It’s a continuous cycle of learning, adapting, and refining to ensure your product remains relevant, engaging, and thrives in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Recap of Steps in Digital Product Development:

1. Ideation: Define your target audience, identify their needs, and validate your product idea through research and user feedback.
2. Design: Craft a user-centric design that prioritizes functionality, intuitive navigation, and visual appeal.
3. Development: Build your product using the right technology stack, focusing on backend infrastructure, user interface implementation, and content creation.
4. Go-To-Market: Develop a comprehensive strategy encompassing pricing models, marketing campaigns, suitable distribution platforms, and a data-driven approach for ongoing optimization.

Tips for Continually Improving and Updating Products:

• Embrace User Feedback: Actively solicit feedback through surveys, reviews, and support channels. Analyze and prioritize suggestions to address pain points and enhance user experience.
• Leverage Data Insights: Track user behavior, website traffic, and engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement. Use data to inform feature updates, optimize marketing strategies, and personalize the user experience.
• Stay Agile and Adaptable: Be prepared to adjust your product roadmap based on market trends, user feedback, and competitor analysis. Embrace experimentation and A/B testing to discover what resonates best with your audience.
• Prioritize Continuous Innovation: Dedicate resources and efforts to exploring new features, functionalities, and potential integrations to stay ahead of the curve and offer ongoing value to your users.
• Foster a Culture of Learning: Encourage employee growth and development by providing opportunities to learn new skills and stay updated on the latest trends in digital product development.

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