Do We Need This?

Do we need this?

When it comes to features on your new web app, sometimes this is a critical question. Now, of course this is more or less what 37signals have been saying for ages, i.e. keep it simple, but its good to revisit words of wisdom from time to time.

For instance – I was reading a recent article on Mashable about the launch of SnowVision – essentially a YouTube clone with a skiing focus. A few paragraphs down Pete Cashmore says that what it’s lacking is the social networking element.

Now, I can’t understand why this is a necessary prerequisite of a video site. Of all my friends who watch videos on youtube, I can’t think of any who actively use the social networking features. I always thought that what tends to happen is that you get sent a link to a video, you watch it, maybe you take a look around for other videos, then you leave. If I wanted social networking I would use one of the many, many, many other services out there that have that as their core function.

So, despite the fact that the snowvision guys have said they plan on introducing social networking at some stage, well done to them for not adding it at the start just because it seems to be the thing to do.

I have no doubt that, like on ours and many other web apps, if the users want it they will let the developers know and the developers can THEN invest resources towards making it happen IF that fits in with the role of the site.