After solving some issues with the signup process, retention, etc. we've moved forward with mobile apps and are getting more traction and refining processes there. Progress is slow, but steady towards a working business.
If I were to do it all over again, I'd have a landing page with a sign up form and I wouldn't build the product until there were at least 100 people on the list. With a free trial or sign up form, you can probably AdWords or Facebook ads 100 people on your list for less than $1,000. Probably $100-500 if you don't overbid.
This also proves whether or not you can even remotely acquire users/trials for a reasonable amount of money. If you can't, you are going to have a lot of trouble scaling the business and it might not be a viable venture. $500 to learn that is a lot cheaper than dropping 100+ hours on a MVP.
We built a tool that allows you to watch prices of products you love, when prices drop we notify you via email or Facebook. We support over 350 stores including Amazon, Zara, Asos, etc. Give it a spin at www.pricify.com
Do give us some advice on how you think we can acquire customers.
Ex: 5 Ways to Get the Best Price on Christmas Gifts
It was only when we stepped back and started using our own product that we came out with a more clear direction for moving forward with development.
I used to fiddle cookie settings to test if that made a difference, now I just move on.
Mayhaps I am fanatical, but you don't get to use my disk without a good reason - you've got to give me value for me to open the door.
