Startups are a common reality in today’s business world. At some point all businesses, no matter how big they are today, started off as a small startup. Some people tend to forget that even Steve Jobs worked out of a garage during the beginning stages of Apple.
It can be hard to tell exactly what makes a successful business concept, though, because society’s demands are constantly being changed. Startups are often looking for specific trends to help decide what products to offer the consumers. Here’s a look at three startup types to watch in 2014.
Mobile Applications
Mobile application startups are beginning to sprout left and right. The number of people who have been purchasing actual computers has been steadily decreasing throughout the years. But at the same time, the number of people who own a smartphone or mobile tablet is at an all-time high. The rise of hand held devices mixed with Wi-Fi being more available, whether it’s free Wi-Fi or a hotspot offered by cable companies, makes mobile extremely accessible. With this recent change, more people are looking for games and activities for their device, thus making mobile applications one of the top products for startups to produce in 2014.
One good example to look at is SwapShop Mobile, a mobile application developed by Marcus Duchiene. The application allows a user to place textbooks or other books onto the system, and users are able to find local sellers in their relative areas to purchase the item from, thus cutting out the middle man like Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Not insignificantly, SwapShop Mobile is one of the top projected revenue-making applications for 2014.
Graphic Design
Another startup trend that has been increasing in popularity is graphic design firms. Design companies are often a small team of two or three people who work together on projects to meet a deadline. One of the cool things with this type of startup is that you can technically work from just about anywhere. Graphic design is also a much needed skill set that fills a particular role for multiple industries. Many companies, whether it is a medical firm or a waste removal company, will need some type of graphic work done, even if it’s something as small as a company logo or a flyer. And for all you graphic designers who are considering your own startup, 2014 is a great year to get started.
Social Media Management
Social media usage is also at an all-time high. Each day, thousands and thousands of people create a new Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account. Social media has become an instant way to connect with new people and communicate with old ones. Companies have taken to reaching out to new consumers through their social media profiles. A popular startup concept that I’m seeing more and more over the last three years are social media management firms, and I’d expect that to continue into the New Year.
Companies are hiring individual firms to manage their social media profiles. These firms are in charge of adding and gaining new followers and likes, updating the companies’ profiles and photos, and making sure that they stay relevant to the crowd. Although it may sound like a simple task to complete, social media management requires a lot of time dedication and organization. You must be able to stay on top of many profiles at one time, while making sure everything on the account is appropriate and will be well received by the target audience.
There are a lot of startups looking to innovate in these areas. What other kinds of startups do you expect to play a big role in 2014? Just remember, although these trends may seem simple, all of them require hard work and dedication. And the only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.
