As a non-technical person, creating software is overwhelming. So where do you start?

1. Define your idea and research existing solutions
Start by clearly defining the purpose of your software. Determine the problem you intend to solve, whether it's a pain point that customers are willing to pay for, and how your product can potentially offer a solution. Then go back to the market, look for existing software that might already solve the problem you're trying to address. Evaluate them to understand what features are most useful and what gaps they leave. At the end of this, you should know what category you will play in and who you will compete against.

2. Explore no-code/low-code platforms
There are several no-code or low-code platforms that allow non-technical users to create applications quickly and easily with drag and drop interfaces. However, they have limited functionality and will not be able to support complex features. It also means you are dependent on their technology, since you don't own the codebase. If the platform goes out of business, changes its pricing model, or doesn't support the features you are using in the future, you’ll have to start all over again.

3. Hire a team
If you have a complex idea or have to meet a certain benchmark to be credible to your market, consider hiring a team. There are two types of teams you can work with: software development and product studio. What’s the difference? Building products is an end to end process, and software development is just one part of it. At 021, we become your team, refining the idea, building the product and launching to win customers. From a non-technical founders perspective, we do most of the heavy lifting, it's a dream combination. You can focus on what truly matters. Check out our studio.

4. Build a beta product people love
Times have changed, and users expect every product to meet a certain level of refinement. That’s also the way they start speaking about it. Turns out, customers who love your product are the best way to acquire new customers when you start off. Whilst others bill you hourly to build a product, we try to maximize your budget to create something meaningful. Keep in mind, less is more, solve a problem and experiment.

5. Focus on customer acquisition
Once you've built your product, the challenge is distributing it to your target market. Developing a go-to-market strategy that clearly communicates how your product solves their problem is absolutely critical. In your early days, do things that don’t scale. Create momentum, continually monitor your marketing performance and optimize for results.

Keep in mind that software development is an ongoing process. Your initial version is simply a jumping-off point, and you'll continue to refine and enhance it based on user feedback. The key is to create a solution that solves a problem for your customers in a faster, easier, or more cost-effective way than existing options.

While software development has become more accessible, starting a venture from scratch can still be daunting for non-technical entrepreneurs. In Silicon Valley, the mantra is to fail fast, but for many, even one failure is too much to bear. To mitigate risk, do your research, identify the right partners, and take deliberate steps forward. Remember, for most people, a tech business that generates revenue in six digits can be truly life-changing.