That is a definite recipe for destruction. In today’s world, you must first address a few questions before proceeding. These questions, in no particular order, may include,

1. Who will use the site or the app?
2. What are they doing there?
3. What are they supposed to learn?
4. What will they do with it?
5. Is there any sense of competition? And etc.

Here’s when research comes in useful. Research can provide you with important insights about your target market.

Now, let me explain why. Go to your local mall on a busy shopping day, find a seat, and watch thousands of people pass by. They are potential users. Assume you’re working on projects to assist tourists visit Europe, and a family walks by, and you find they’re planning a vacation to Europe this summer. Is Europe a consideration in their plans? Have they considering Europe? And as the conversation progresses, you’ll discover the following.

No, they hadn’t considered Europe; they were on their way to Sri Lanka. They’ve heard nothing but good things about Europe from relatives and friends. They are also on a limited budget for a variety of reasons. They have two children, which is one of them. What would entice the youngsters if they were present? And how were they going to get from Sri Lanka to Europe?

And you’ve got some data points here. You have spoken with another couple at the mall and discovered that when they visit another country, they love to see the city and that the location of their hotel is significant to them. They tend to avoid tourist areas and seek out small places preferred by locals. They want to get there as soon as possible. As a result, they choose direct flights to the destination rather than several transfers. They like to arrange their days in cities since they prefer to walk.

You’ve added another data point to your collection. The following group enjoys visiting Europe, and Europe is on their bucket list. And you discover that they are interested in the history and culture of the place they are visiting. Before going on vacation, they thoroughly study hotel ratings on travel websites as well as reviews. Museums, old churches, and other cultural institutions rank high on their list of must-see sites. They prefer to go via taxis or public transportation. They prefer to go via taxi or public transportation. When it comes to food, they will check up a restaurant’s ratings on their smartphone before ever visiting the business.

So let’s pause and reflect on what we’ve just learned.

1. Tourists have heard of Sri Lanka but are familiar with Europe.
2. They must understand how to travel to Europe from wherever they are.
3. It is important to have access to information on local public transportation.
4. The location and cost of lodging are other important considerations.
5. Reviews help you decide where to stay and eat.
6. Cultural attractions are high on the list of must-see locations.
7. It’s appealing to find local places away from the usual tourist attractions.

As a result, the research has revealed a possible vision of the project. Each of those data points suggests something that may be added, such as how to get there, where to stay, where to eat, and potential walking tours based on location. How do you use public transit, and what makes Europe so appealing to such a diverse range of individuals?

I’m prepared to guess that when I mentioned the concept was being explored in Europe, many of you already had an idea of what it might look like. I’m also prepared to wager that picture definitely shifted as we done some research.

This is important because sitting in a mall and watching potential customers walk by is rather exciting. Thousands of people begin the research, and that group soon reduces to hundreds.

This is a wonderful thing since you’ve learned a lot about the individuals who will use your project, and you now have a clear focus on how to make their experience a positive one because you know what they like, what they don’t like, what they know, and what they don’t know. You are aware of their demographics, travel interests, and so on.

All of this was found while sitting in a mall and speaking with potential customers.

That is why it is critical to do research in order to determine user demands. If your budget allows, hire a business to conduct the study. If it isn’t, it’s up to you to go to the mall and start talking to people, not users, since, in the end, everything you do is for people. And by talking to people, you create for people, and the two are closely linked.

NEXT ARTICLE I’ll talk about Stage two: Conceptualise.