Customer Development Plan for LawRated.com

Summary

This customer development plan aims to validate the startup idea of LawRated.com, a platform that will provide transparent and unbiased information to individuals and businesses seeking legal representation. The approach focuses on engaging potential customers, gathering actionable feedback, and iterating based on their experiences and needs.

1. Customer Discovery Plan

Key Assumptions/Hypotheses

1. We believe that individuals seeking legal representation have a lack of transparent and reliable information about lawyers.
2. We believe that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) face difficulties in finding suitable lawyers due to biases in traditional directories.
3. We believe that potential customers value AI-driven, unbiased evaluations of legal professionals over user-generated content sources.
4. We believe that users are willing to pay for a service that provides trustworthy insights and simplifies the lawyer selection process.
5. We believe that clients who have previously selected a lawyer feel dissatisfaction due to inadequate information and biases in the selection process.

Interview Questions

1. For individuals:

   • How do you currently search for a lawyer? What resources do you use?
   • Can you describe a recent experience where you felt confused or uncertain about selecting a legal professional?
   • What features would you find most valuable in an online platform that evaluates lawyers?
   • How do you determine the trustworthiness of reviews or recommendations for legal services?
   • Would you consider paying for a service that guarantees comprehensive and unbiased lawyer evaluations?

2. For SMEs:

   • What challenges have you faced in finding reliable legal counsel for your business?
   • Have you tried using any online platforms to find lawyers? What did you find lacking?
   • How important is it to you and your business partners that legal representation is transparent and unbiased?
   • Have you ever regretted your choice of legal representation due to inadequate research? Can you share that experience?
   • Would your company allocate a budget for a subscription service that provides detailed insights into legal professionals?

Finding & Approaching Customer Segments

• Target Individuals: Visit local community centers or public libraries where individuals may seek legal advice and host informational sessions on topics like “Choosing the Right Lawyer.”
• Target SMEs: Attend local business networking events, chambers of commerce meetings, and trade shows where business owners are present. Use social media groups focused on small business support to connect with members.
• Leverage Online Surveys: Distribute surveys targeting specific demographics via social media platforms linked to groups interested in legal topics.

2. Problem Validation Strategy

Step-by-Step Process

1. Landing Page Creation:

   • Create a simple landing page that clearly explains LawRated.com, its unique value proposition, and the problem it addresses. Example landing page copy:

     Discover Reliable Legal Representation with LawRated.com
     Tired of sifting through biased reviews and outdated directories? LawRated.com utilizes cutting-edge AI technology to provide transparent, data-driven insights into legal professionals. Join the waiting list today and redefine how you choose a lawyer!
     [Join the Waiting List ->]

2. Measurement Methods:

   • Email Signups: Use the landing page to collect email addresses for a newsletter or updates about the service. Aim for 250-500 signups to gauge interest.
   • Surveys: Include a short survey on the landing page to capture additional insights (e.g., experiences with selecting lawyers, perceived trustworthiness).

Results Analysis

• Track conversion rates from visitors to sign-ups to measure genuine interest. Aim for a minimum of a 15% conversion rate as a benchmark.
• Analyze survey responses for common themes about pain points and desired features.

3. Solution Validation Approach

Minimum Viable Product (MVP)

• MVP Design: Create a mock-up of the LawRated.com platform without full-fledged technology. Use a basic database and manual processes to simulate the lawyer evaluation process.
• Wizard of Oz Approach: Act as the backend system where evaluations are conducted manually for initial users in exchange for their detailed feedback and testing.

Implementation Steps

1. Create Mock-Ups (2 weeks): Use software like Figma or Sketch to design the UI of LawRated.com.
2. Manual Evaluations (2 weeks): Reach out to a predetermined number of lawyers and gather data for evaluations. Use feedback from initial users who engage with the platform.
3. Test with Early Adopters: Enlist individuals and SMEs willing to provide feedback and iterate based on their experiences.

4. Customer Validation Plan

Experiments to Test Willingness to Pay

1. Pre-Launch Pricing Structure:
   • Offer a tiered pricing model - $10/month for basic access, $50/month for premium features including detailed reports, and $120/year for unlimited access.
2. A/B Test Pricing: Offer variations in pricing for early subscribers to gauge which tier generates the most interest.

Framework for Feedback and Iteration

• Collect feedback through surveys after users interact with the mock-up, specifically asking about:
  • Features they found most valuable.
  • Points of frustration or confusion in the platform.
  • Price points that seem reasonable given the service.

5. Get Out of the Building Action Plan

2-4 Week Validation Sprint

1. Week 1:

   • Host a focus group with potential users to discuss their needs and the proposed service.
   • Aim to identify at least 20 participants.

2. Week 2:

   • Set up the landing page and launch a social media campaign targeting legal-related groups.
   • Distribute surveys to quantify interest and gather insights on the lawyer selection process.

3. Week 3:

   • Meet with local SMEs at networking events to present the concept and capture feedback.
   • Identify and reach out to at least 15 SMEs, asking about their legal representation experiences.

4. Week 4:

   • Conduct follow-up interviews with interested users from the landing page and those who attended the focus groups and events.

Specific Locations and Communities

• Legal Workshops & Community Legal Clinics: Offer to provide a free workshop on selecting legal representation in exchange for feedback from participants.
• Business Networking Events: Utilize events hosted by the local chamber or business associations targeted at SMEs.

Scripts for Outreach

Cold Email Template to SMEs:

Subject: Join Us in Redefining Legal Representation!

Hi [Recipient's Name],

I'm [Your Name], and I'm working on an innovative platform called LawRated.com that seeks to eliminate the frustration of choosing the right lawyer. Our mission is to deliver unbiased, AI-driven evaluations of legal professionals, enabling you to make an informed decision for your legal representation needs.

I’d love to get your thoughts on this idea and discuss your experiences with finding legal counsel. Would you be open to a brief chat this week?

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,
[Your Name]

Conversation Starter for Networking Events: “Hi there! We’re working on a new platform called LawRated.com that aims to help people choose their legal representation based on transparent evaluations instead of user-generated reviews. Have you ever faced challenges in selecting a lawyer for your business?”

This customer development plan provides LawRated.com a specific, actionable approach to engage potential customers, validate the problem, gauge willingness to pay, and refine the solution based on real feedback. By emphasizing the need to “get out of the building,” founders can ensure that the product aligns with market demand before proceeding to full-scale development.