Ryan Carson's 14 Things from the Future of Web Apps

Ryan Carson from Carson Systems did double duty at the Future of Web Apps: organizer and presenter.  My wrap up will have some comments on the overall event.  As presenter, Ryan was engaging and authentic, openly sharing lessons learned from his development experience.  Carson Systems created DropSend (a large file-sharing application) and Amigo (an advertising network for small newsletters).  They are also the publisher of Vitamin, a great resource for web designers, developers and entrepreneurs.

Ryan shared his "14 things I wish I had known before I started to build my web app" ...

1. Work with people in the same timezone; being on the phone that much isn't cool
2. One user database -- plan your app so that if you happen to build another one, it can share the same database, just nicer for your users
3. One ecommerce system -- don't use multiple ecommerce systems for different apps.  Too much for you to learn & maintain.
4. Don't have your coder do the front-end.  Your coder needs to focus on the code; save the pixel pushing for when your code is ready to go. 
5. Obsess about your website copy, including your error messages -- I love that he brought this up!  No one talked about this much and it is essential; you will want great copy that supports your brand and makes your users feel good. 
6. Work with a top notch hardware partner -- you don't want to have to be worrying about this
7. Don't cut corners, particularly on the process side.  Invest the time upfront in things like proper bug tracking software, it's worth it!
8. Measure, measure, measure -- and know what you want to measure so that you can define success for your business.
9. You are not done when you launch.  Make sure you have an arragement with your developers beforehand on how they will deal with post-launch support, from a cost and turn-around perspective. 
10. Tea-spoons -- this is Ryan's shorthand for stuff that is left after you've gotten all the big stuff out of the way.  Things like your FAQ, spell checking, error screens.  You will need to build in time to do this stuff. 
11. Four tips (Ryan squeezed these together)
• Create a press kit (logos and details for the press); they will use it!
• Use a monthly csv for invoices, 
• Create an about us page
• Make contact with your company easy!
12. Make sure your FAQ and Support pages are robust
13. Be nice to your nasty customers .. and do your own tech support 
14. Tips from the pros - (Ryan quoted some insights from other speakers at the conference)
• Your first and second versions are always throwaway
• Marketing *is* important (YES!)
• Remove all barriers to trial (things like excessive registration forms)

Some really great advice condensed into 45 minutes (well done, Ryan).

Also, check out Amigo.  Such a neat idea .. an advertising solution for small newsletters - both for publishers who want to generate revenue and advertisers who want to reach niche audiences.  Very cool!