The Opportunity
Every industry has problems that could be solved by a simple tool. A calculator, a template, a workflow, an app. Most of these tools don't exist because the people who understand the problem (industry insiders) can't code, and the people who can code (developers) don't understand the problem.
AI closed that gap. Now the person who understands the problem can build the solution.
Step 1: Find a Problem
Talk to people in your industry. Ask what's annoying, time-consuming, or error-prone in their daily work. The best tool ideas come from real frustration, not market research.
Look for problems that are specific, repeatable, and currently solved with spreadsheets, manual processes, or expensive software.
Step 2: Build the MVP
Use Replit, Lovable, or Cursor to build a working version in a day or two. Don't aim for perfect. Aim for functional. The minimum features that solve the core problem.
For AI-powered tools, use the Claude or ChatGPT API to add intelligence. A tool that uses AI to analyse data, generate content, or automate decisions is worth significantly more than a static tool.
Step 3: Validate
Share the MVP with 10 people who have the problem. Get honest feedback. Do they use it? Do they come back? Would they pay for it?
If 3 out of 10 say "I'd pay for this," you have something worth pursuing.
Step 4: Price and Sell
Simple tools: one-time purchase, £20-200. Templates and frameworks: £50-500. SaaS tools: £10-100/month recurring. Sell through Gumroad, Stripe, or your own landing page.
Step 5: Iterate
Add features based on user feedback. Improve the design. Add onboarding. Each iteration makes the tool more valuable and more defensible.
The Income Potential
A well-built niche tool selling for £50, reaching 100 customers, generates £5,000. Build three and you have a meaningful side income. Build one that charges monthly and you have a business.
Need Help Building or Scaling?
OrcaScale helps founders and creators turn ideas into production-quality tools and apps. From prototype to product.