Global E-commerce vs. App Development: M11 Entrepreneurship Insights
A deep dive into global e-commerce vs. app development for solopreneurs in the AI era, based on real-world experiences.
It's been a while since my last personal insight post. For the past six months, I've been in a state of intense "input" and learning. Today, I'm sharing some perspectives to help alleviate anxiety and provide direction for newcomers: Global E-commerce remains the best choice for individual entrepreneurship.
Core Perspective
The reason we choose "going global" is to find and amplify the "Value Gap between Supply and Demand." Global e-commerce offers a crushing advantage on the supply side (China's manufacturing) and strong purchasing power on the demand side (global markets).
1. Deep Dive: Global E-commerce
Global e-commerce has always been my top recommendation for solopreneurs.
Why is it a "Perfect Start"?
The "Truth" About E-commerce
Many think e-commerce has a low barrier to entry. While it's accessible, the competition is fierce. Success for individuals comes from lifestyle intuition and business acumen, not just technical skills.
2. Deep Dive: App Global Selling (Software as a Service)
Over the past six months, I've been learning to code and attempting software global selling. I've felt the stark differences between the two.
The "Ultimate Temptation" of Software
- High Leverage: Once a product takes off, the marginal cost is nearly zero.
- Global Access: No need to deal with logistics, inventory, or returns.
- Long-term Asset: Good code and products appreciate over time.
Why Do 99% Fail?
The Harsh Reality
Software development requires ten times more focus and logical thinking than e-commerce. If you can't patiently research products in e-commerce, you'll likely crumble in the world of coding.
- Technical Barrier: It's not just coding; it's architecture, security, and API integrations.
- Product Challenges: In the AI era, making a "usable" product is easy, but making a "great" and differentiated one is extremely hard.
- Traffic Costs: The cost of user acquisition is skyrocketing. Without a natural traffic source, standalone apps struggle to survive.
3. Content Global Selling: The Underestimated Third Path
Beyond selling goods and software, selling content (Content as a Product) is an excellent choice. Platforms like YouTube and TikTok allow you to export valuable information. Though the monetization cycle is longer, the brand moat is the strongest.
4. Conclusion: How Should Newcomers Choose?
If you're a newcomer, I suggest evaluating your path with these steps:
Step 1: Assess Your Strengths
Are you better at discovering beauty in life (e-commerce selection) or logical reasoning and complex problem-solving (app development)?
Step 2: Start with Low-cost Experiments
Don't jump into heavy development or asset-heavy models immediately. Use Shopify for quick store testing or no-code tools for app validation.
Step 3: Embrace Long-termism
In any track, those who survive and optimize details in a competitive environment are the ones who succeed.
