Have you ever wondered why some companies thrive while others struggle to gain traction in the same market?
The answer lies in having a working market fit. There are many reasons why businesses need a working market fit.
We list a few vital ones that can help your business:
- Align with target market’s needs – As a business owner, Chief Executive Officer of a company or a startup, it is essential to create products or services that align with the target market’s needs and preferences to stay competitive in today’s world of business. When your business meets the needs of your target market better than anyone else, it stands out and attracts customers who are looking for what you offer.
- Create a loyal customer base – Once your company gets it right, you are providing a product or service that solves a real problem for your target market, and in turn you can create a loyal customer base, increase revenue streams, and separate your business from competitors. This creates a loyal customer base that will continue to buy from you and recommend you to others, making it much easier to sell, as customers will see the value in what you are offering and be more likely to buy it.
- Prioritize product development – When you have a good understanding of your target market, you can prioritize product development to meet the needs of your customers. This means you can focus on features and functionalities that are most important to your customers, rather than wasting resources on things that do not matter to them.
- Reduce risk of failure – Another benefit of having a good market fit is that it can help to reduce the risk of failure. When you are providing a product or service that meets the needs of your target market, you are more likely to succeed. If your business offers something that does not meet the needs of your target market, you are likely to struggle to attract customers and generate revenue.
- Increase revenue – By targeting the right market and meeting the needs of your customers, you can increase your revenue and profitability. Customers are always willing to pay more for products and services that meet their needs and solve their problems.
- Reduce marketing costs – This is another valid reason a working market – fit is essential for your business. When you have a good market fit, you do not need to spend as much on marketing and advertising. This is because your product or service will naturally appeal to your target customers, making it easier to sell and promote.
- Provide solution – A good product market fit allows you to position your product as the solution to your customers’ problems or needs. This can help distinguish your product from your competitors’ and make it more appealing to your target market.
- Adapt to changes – A good market fit is not static and requires constant monitoring and adjustment to changes in the market. Another benefit is that it allows your business to adapt to changes in the market. By staying attuned to your customers’ needs and preferences, you can adapt your product or service to remain relevant and competitive in the market.
- Drives innovation – Finding a good product market fit drives innovation. This allows you to think creatively. This means you are more likely to come up with new and unique ideas that can help distinguish your product from competitors and meet the needs of your target market.
- Maximize resources – Having a strong market-fit can also help a business to maximize its resources. When a business knows exactly what its target market wants and needs, it can focus its resources on developing and marketing products and services that are likely to be successful. This can lead to a more efficient use of resources, which can ultimately improve the business.
- Provides clarity – A good product market fit provides clarity and direction for decision-making. When you understand your target market and what they need, it becomes easier to make decisions about product development, marketing, and sales strategies.
So, what characterizes a working market fit?
- Clear value proposition – The product or service has a clear and compelling value proposition that communicates the benefits, features, and advantages of using it, and how it solves the customer’s problem.
- Product-market alignment – The product or service is aligned with the needs, preferences, and behaviours of the target market, and addresses a pain point that is significant enough for customers to pay for.
- Revenue – Your business should be generating revenue and profits from your product or service and the business model should be viable in the long run. This is a key indicator of a good market fit.
- Understand customer needs – A good market fit starts with a clear understanding of the needs and wants of your target market. You need to know what problems they are facing and what they are looking for in a solution.
- Competitive advantage – You should have a clear competitive advantage over your competitors. This could be based on factors such as price, quality, features, or customer service.
- Product/Service Solution – Your product or service needs to be designed to meet the needs of your target market. It should be tailored to their specific requirements and preferences.
Let us explore some real-life examples of companies in the MENA region that have achieved or struggled with a working market fit.
Instashop, an online grocery store, differentiates itself from competitors, by offering a 45-minute delivery window.
The company capitalizes on the MENA region’s demand for fast delivery times, and this has helped them build a loyal customer base and increase their market share.
The example of Instashop highlights the importance of understanding the specific needs and challenges of a particular market and offering a tailored solution to address them in order to achieve a successful product market fit.
Carriage, an on-demand food delivery platform based in Kuwait, expanded into the Saudi Arabian market in 2018.
The platform offered a unique value proposition, providing a wide range of restaurants and cuisines to customers.
It struggled to distinguish itself from other established players such as HungerStation, Talabat, and Uber Eats. Carriage faced operational challenges in the Saudi market, such as delays in delivery, which led to customer dissatisfaction.
As a result, the company was acquired by Delivery Hero, a global food delivery company, in 2019.
The example of Carriage highlights the importance of establishing a unique value proposition and addressing the challenges of a specific market when attempting to achieve a successful product market fit. Companies must not only offer high-quality products or services but also provide a seamless and reliable user experience.
These examples emphasize on the point that, it is not enough to create a great product simply, you need to ensure it meets the needs of your target audience and solves their pain points.
At Terrific Studio, we understand the importance of product-market fit and offer a range of services to help businesses achieve it. Our team of experts can work with you to analyze your target market, identify key customer insights, and refine your product to meet their needs.
With our help, you can be confident that your product will resonate with your target audience and drive revenue for your business. Book a free call to learn more about how we can help you achieve product-market fit and take your business to the next level.
To gain deeper insights into this domain, explore further on Product-Market Fit to enhance your business success.
