After 5 years building a Calendly alternative, I realized we were solving the wrong problem
Content Summary
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinion seems to support the idea that the product's shift from a traditional scheduling tool to an email-integrated solution addresses a real user pain point. Many users expressed interest in the new approach, especially those who find scheduling links inconvenient. However, there are some conflicting opinions: some users prefer the simplicity of scheduling links, while others worry about the complexity of email parsing and integration. There is also debate around privacy concerns, especially regarding how much access the tool needs to function. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of focusing on user experience and solving real problems, rather than just adding features.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meetergo | https://meetergo.com/en/features/calgent | Scheduling Tool | Built for GDPR compliance, focused on email-based scheduling. Later replaced by Calgent. |
| Calgent | https://meetergo.com/en/features/calgent | Email-Based Scheduling Assistant | Integrates with emails, no links needed, suggests meeting times and agendas based on conversation context. |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Users find scheduling links feel cold and unpersonalized.
- Many users never click the scheduling link (41% according to data).
- Friction in the booking process reduces meeting bookings.
- Difficulty integrating with different email systems and formats.
Problems to Solve:
- Reduce friction in the meeting scheduling process.
- Improve user experience by eliminating scheduling links.
- Support European users with GDPR-compliant tools.
- Make scheduling more natural and integrated into email conversations.
Potential Solutions:
- Integrate directly with email threads to suggest meeting times without sending a link.
- Use AI to parse email content and suggest calendar availability.
- Provide a tool that mimics human assistant behavior in scheduling meetings.
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Focused on solving real user problems rather than just adding features.
- Built a product that addresses a specific niche (GDPR-compliant tools for European users).
- Leveraged feedback from users and sales calls to pivot the product direction.
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Used SEO, Ads, and Social media for customer acquisition.
- Opened a waitlist to generate interest and gather early feedback.
Monetization & Product:
- Offered free access to the first 100 users to build trust and gather feedback.
- Focused on product-market fit by addressing a real pain point (email-based scheduling).
- Prioritized user experience over feature overload.
User Engagement:
- Built a community through public development updates and engagement with users.
- Encouraged direct feedback from early adopters to refine the product.