Platform & Marketplace Advisory – Build Smart

Practical lessons and observations from my work, especially around platforms and marketplaces.

Design Your Flywheel, Not Just Your Features.

By Alan W Most founders I work with want traction. But what they really need is momentum. And that’s where the flywheel effect comes in....

By Alan W June was a quiet month. ClearShift didn’t fall apart — but it didn’t take off either. And to be honest… I didn’t either.I kept...

By Alan W Why momentum beats motivation — and what founders get wrong about building platforms. Most platform founders believe they’re...

By Alan W Ten years ago, Luke Wroblewski said we should design for mobile first. Not because mobile was better. But because it forced us...

By Alan W Starting or scaling a platform or marketplace is a unique challenge. You're balancing multiple user groups, ensuring a seamless...

By Alan W Content here..... One of the most persistent myths about platforms is that they win simply by having more users. The belief...

By Alan W As a platform advisor, I’ve worked with many startups, but some of the most valuable lessons come from the simplest...

By Alan W When we think of platforms today, we tend to picture apps, marketplaces, and software connecting millions of users. But...

By Alan W I’ve noticed that when people talk about “platforms,” they often mean very different things. Some are referring to a piece of...

By Alan W Building a platform or marketplace can be a game-changer, but success doesn’t happen by chance. Before you dive in, it’s...

By Alan W If you're building a platform or thinking about it, you've probably heard about the magic of network effects — that moment when...

By Alan W Disintermediation isn’t limited to ridesharing or vacation rentals—it happens in many industries, including recruitment....

By Alan W Have you ever wondered why some online platforms and marketplaces succeed while others struggle to retain users? The answer...

By Alan W In today’s digital age, success depends on more than just adopting technology - it requires embracing the right business model....

by Alan W Network effects - the phenomenon where a product or service gains additional value as more people use it - profoundly...

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