It is execution that matters. Ideas are a dime a dozen. What google did was excellent execution of an non-original idea (there were lots of search engines at that time).
Look at the UConnect vs. Facebook. vs. that other dude that that the same idea. Facebook was able to execute much faster and better and got traction, while Uconnect is just crap, and they have to resort to lawsuits.
Sure, if your idea is dumb to begin with, then no matter how good the execution is, you wont get anything out of it.
But you still can change ideas and business plans around, and from a loser make a winner offering. (many startups end up changing their ideas business models at some point, including the company I am working for). If your execution team still sucks, your products will show it, and the next guy that likes idea, will copy it, and make a much better version of what you are offering. (just like Friendster got hosed by poor execution).
But it is a common trait from "Business" people that think ideas matter more. It is more of a whishful thinking. Honestly being good at business is nothing more that having a good common sense and street smarts, and knowing how to B.S. a little. Things that no school teaches you.
So my advice, learn how to build websites (as a programmer I'd like to concetrate on the harder stuff), do everything you can help the whole team, (from marketing, getting graphics, building mock-ups or prototypes) etc.. While you don't have to program, you better have some good technical skills, and really understand what's going on and how hard or easy is to do some stuff.
One thing that is very annoying, is how non-technical people think it is sooooo easy to just have an ajax drop down, or that little thing here, that little thing there, without having the slightly idea how much work it really takes.
The probable difference between ConnectU and Facebook? Facebook spammed all of Harvard to get its initial traction, ConnectU didn't.
Not without a working implementation, no.
"The probable difference between ConnectU and Facebook? Facebook spammed all of Harvard to get its initial traction, ConnectU didn't."
Right. Execution.
His exact quote: "ConnectU was nothing like Facebook. It was a total joke."
"Spamming" or not, Facebook executed better.
Also even if another team had the Pagerank idea, they still could've royally blew it. You think Yahoo hasn't studied the algorithm and come up with their own version by now? If it was just the idea then Yahoo would have a search engine competitive to Google by now. (it's getting there but still has a long way to go)
Idea vs Execution (or which one is more important) votes:
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Arthur Blank: both
Tim Blixseth: both
Otis Booth: Execution
Mark Cuban: Execution
Gerald Ford: both
Danny Gilbert: Execution
Kennet Hendricks: both
Wayne Huizenga: Execution
George Kaiser: both
Michael llitch: Idea
William Moncrief: Idea
Phillip Ruffin: Idea
Jorge Perez: Execution
James Sorenson: both
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Both are equally important (tie): 6 votes
Execution: 5 votes
Idea: 3 votes
Conclusion: Execution wins
Consider this.The same amount of time that Google spend building a billion dollar startup is what a two bit outfit spends generating a million dollars.
Or another that goes belly up.
In other words ideas and execution equally matter. Maybe execution is a little more important. That's why Oracle dominates database software although initially there were multiple database startups (same idea).
A recent survey of forbes billionaires confirmed this. Many of them picked ideas over execution others picked execution.It all depends on the situation.
In any case, you can try building a prototype by using freelance sites such as guru.com or elance and then see what response you get from your target customers.
I think it is important to get feedback from would be paying customers. If it is positive then go for it.
-Augustus