Topic: My first three weeks being a bitcoin startup! (Read 1822 times)

Thank you. Right now the price is free, we are in beta, things are changing a lot. I am working with some people to beta test but no user cases per say, and plus again we are in beta, so things break, data isn't reliable (like currently we shutdown our backend to upgrade the hardware and do some adjustments).

Who should be using my service? Anyone that needs a reliable, secure, managed api for the bitcoin network. So Bitcoin ATMs, POS systems (Point of Sales Systems), basically anyone that needs to get data from the blockchain, needs to be notified of receiving funds to any address. Also we do this all without holding user funds so you don't need to trust us with your funds.

Why should you use my service when it is out of beta? Well I am focusing on a couple of important aspects. The 1st being a reliable, secure, managed api, remember most block explorers have an api, but that is kinda the last thing on their list. Right? The first is their frontend, I am focusing on backend only. So right there you know the api isn't going to be something that is left without updates. Also I am using api keys to create digital signatures so you can easily validate that when we connect you using our callback script, you know the data is coming from us. I am also working on adding better ways of validating the data we send you from any api call.

Another aspect is working with every client that is using my service. I think this something that is lost not only currently in bitcoin but in a lot of the internet. I want to work closely and really develop something that makes the lives of developers easy. I made the backend for adding api calls really modular and easily to add new calls or tweak old ones.

Remember this is a service that will soon be paid for so I want to make that experience really great and if I can't deliver on that, I hope I can improve the service to do that based on user feedback.

I started a blog about this, and this is the first post. I am going to try and do this every week or every two weeks among other things.

https://apicoin.io/blog/

Actually since putting in place the logo, I haven't had any script kiddies attack me. So you would be wrong.

I think you guys are reading way too much into this logo, yes could I go hire Daniel Burka, and blow people away with the logo, but that would probably cost me $500. I rather focus on what my service is which is a SAAS model and many of them don't have great logos. I think this is good logo for something that really wouldn't be used that much.

So at the end of the day, I think for a startup that is focused on SAAS model, backend work, and making a good API, this works.

This is exactly what I did. I am just curious why you don't think it was professional done?

Cheers Gweedo...nice work.

Can you explain a bit more about your business?
What is the pricing?  Do you have some use cases documented?
(Who exactly would use your service and why)

P.s. Agree that logo should be improved....'API service'
invokes imagery of sharp precision and high-tech but your logo
looks fuzzy and a bit weird, no offense.

That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard lol 

I stand by my earlier hypothesis.
That logo is the reason you're experiencing daily high volume skids attack. 

just some thoughts on the logo:

* it's 2014, 3D logos aren't cool anymore
* i get the idea behind the arrow - it's supposed to convey speed, but the way it's portrayed in the current logo doesn't really seem to show that at all.
* the font doesn't seem to show speed or flexibility either. it looks childish/cute, not exactly "robust" or "secure"
* do you need a bitcoin in the logo? there isn't a "B" in APIcoin.io, it can get confusing if you're going to use the coin in an icon/social media avatar

a $50 logo probably isn't going to get you anywhere, especially considering how much it costs to hire a skilled designer for x hours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb8idEf-Iak&feature=player_embedded#t=168

I would appreciate and be open to specific instructions on how to change the current logo to make it have more 'attitude'.

Just my opinion.
Maybe your targeted audience prefer as it is. I'm not a coder.

You said you like the arrow through BTC, nothing wrong with that, the idea though is poorly executed.

Please don't let this distract you, simply hire about three separate graphics designer and have them execute your ideas, select three from each then see how bitcoiners feel about your selections. Make a choice between your personal favorite and that of everyone else.

I will have to agree with that. Logo looks poorly drawn.

Say what you want, that logo is horrible.

Not the idea of the logo itself, just the style. Repeat, not the idea of an arrow through BTC, just that the design is, amateur-ish....Please hire a professional.

I'd like to thank Gweedo for the opportunity to design the logo mark for this exciting startup!

It definitely provides something the bitcoin ecosystem needs.

I believe once the front end is polished a bit more apicoin will have strong brand recognition.

Good luck moving forward!

There are a lot of programmers,  i dont know the exact numbers, more than 8 million. If you can widen your audience, it can mean more money for you.
Example: a financial manager decides to use your API. Buys 120 licenses for all developers around the globe.
Paid model is not the only model, it depends; I know of 3-4 models.

How much web-traffic of programmers are you getting? do you need more?

ill take a nap;

yes, some visual drawing or photo, in which a non-technical person would understand what your service is for.   bitcoin.org is a good example.
They have a youtube video and some short explanation.

Inside an office money usually comes from a financial section to which the word 'api' is magic speak. Of course hackers like us understand it.
Your target audience is bussines, i assume?


You want these words on your website in bold: managed, scalable, secure

I think explanation would be good in form of an image. Something that a 3 year old would understand;
Examples of API usage would be good.. in what prog. lang i can use it? why would i use it?

Beta you say.......
1. Logo image lacks attitude. <<--probably the reason skids attack....
2. So many shades of blue, now I feel slightly depressed and confused.
3. Where's the FAQ? Nothing is compelling me to go beyond the first page.
4. You're a coder, stick to coding, get yourself a site designer, preferably a female.
 

Very bad startup , you don't have a good revenue model.

Idea not enough, revenue model is key