Re:Signs you’re working in a feature factory (2016)
by dennisgorelik on Sunday February 16, 2020 @01:05PM
(#22342846)
> competitor starts ... showing a real lack of professionalism
Betting on eventual competitor's incompetence in the future - is not a reliable strategy.
In such situation it may be better to implement that feature only when entrenched competitor with that feature will start pushing their customers away.
I think people read this and think, "Why bother, then?"
As someone who is often this user, I don't end up using your product because I've already moved onto a competing product or service; or because I never hear that you have added the feature. Whether your metrics move after adding the feature might be a matter of timing.
There's also the chance I will come to your product in the future. Hypothetically, let's say you offer a password vault application, but I dislike it because it lacks a feature I want, so I end up going with your competitor who offers the feature. You add the feature, but I don't switch because I'm now content with your competitor. Later, your competitor starts pushing towards a subscription model while simultaneously showing a real lack of professionalism and social grace towards customers in public. Since you've added the feature that I thought was lacking, your product might now be an option for me. If you haven't added the feature, there's still no chance.