Should I Build It Should I Build It
20 May 2025
SaaS Payments

qr-code restaurant menu with payment not integrated to pos, micro saas

Confidence
Engagement
Net use signal
Net buy signal

Idea type: Swamp

The market has seen several mediocre solutions that nobody loves. Unless you can offer something fundamentally different, you’ll likely struggle to stand out or make money.

Should You Build It?

Don't build it.

Your are here

You're entering a market saturated with QR code menu solutions, a space we categorize as a 'Swamp.' With 23 similar products already out there, it's going to be tough to stand out. The average engagement for these products is quite low, with only 2 comments per launch. The fact that your idea doesn't integrate with POS systems could be a major disadvantage, because customers may be turned off by the additional steps. Your focus on being a micro-SaaS could help you carve out a niche, but it's crucial to understand why existing solutions haven’t fully captured the market and how you can offer something fundamentally different. Otherwise, you are building in the swamp, and you should heed the recommendation of the idea category of 'don't build it!'

Recommendations

  1. Deeply research existing QR code menu solutions. Understand their shortcomings from both the restaurant owner's and the customer's perspective. Look at the criticisms in the similar product launches, such as missing mobile view examples, unprofessional logos, or bad UX like redirecting to Google Drive.
  2. Focus on a specific niche within the restaurant industry. Instead of targeting all restaurants, consider focusing on a particular cuisine, restaurant size, or customer demographic. This will allow you to tailor your features and marketing efforts to a more receptive audience.
  3. Explore potential integrations with existing POS systems through APIs. Even if you don't offer a full integration at launch, having a clear roadmap for future integrations can be a significant selling point.
  4. Prioritize user experience above all else. Make the QR code scanning, menu browsing, and ordering process as seamless and intuitive as possible. Address user concerns about menu functionality and ensure a smooth experience as this was a concern mentioned in similar product launches.
  5. Offer a unique value proposition beyond just a digital menu. This could include features like advanced analytics, customer loyalty programs, or integration with online ordering platforms.
  6. Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) focusing on core features. Avoid feature bloat and prioritize simplicity and ease of use. Then, launch and get user feedback early to make sure you are building the right thing.
  7. Consider offering your tool to existing providers and build them a platform, instead of competing. Or just save your energy for a better opportunity, as this is in the 'Swamp' category!

Questions

  1. Given the existing competition and low engagement in this space, what specific, unmet needs of restaurants will your QR code menu solution address that others don't?
  2. How will you overcome the challenge of low engagement and drive adoption among restaurant owners who may already be using a competing QR code menu solution or be hesitant to switch?
  3. How can you build a sales strategy that doesn't involve integrating directly into the POS?

Your are here

You're entering a market saturated with QR code menu solutions, a space we categorize as a 'Swamp.' With 23 similar products already out there, it's going to be tough to stand out. The average engagement for these products is quite low, with only 2 comments per launch. The fact that your idea doesn't integrate with POS systems could be a major disadvantage, because customers may be turned off by the additional steps. Your focus on being a micro-SaaS could help you carve out a niche, but it's crucial to understand why existing solutions haven’t fully captured the market and how you can offer something fundamentally different. Otherwise, you are building in the swamp, and you should heed the recommendation of the idea category of 'don't build it!'

Recommendations

  1. Deeply research existing QR code menu solutions. Understand their shortcomings from both the restaurant owner's and the customer's perspective. Look at the criticisms in the similar product launches, such as missing mobile view examples, unprofessional logos, or bad UX like redirecting to Google Drive.
  2. Focus on a specific niche within the restaurant industry. Instead of targeting all restaurants, consider focusing on a particular cuisine, restaurant size, or customer demographic. This will allow you to tailor your features and marketing efforts to a more receptive audience.
  3. Explore potential integrations with existing POS systems through APIs. Even if you don't offer a full integration at launch, having a clear roadmap for future integrations can be a significant selling point.
  4. Prioritize user experience above all else. Make the QR code scanning, menu browsing, and ordering process as seamless and intuitive as possible. Address user concerns about menu functionality and ensure a smooth experience as this was a concern mentioned in similar product launches.
  5. Offer a unique value proposition beyond just a digital menu. This could include features like advanced analytics, customer loyalty programs, or integration with online ordering platforms.
  6. Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) focusing on core features. Avoid feature bloat and prioritize simplicity and ease of use. Then, launch and get user feedback early to make sure you are building the right thing.
  7. Consider offering your tool to existing providers and build them a platform, instead of competing. Or just save your energy for a better opportunity, as this is in the 'Swamp' category!

Questions

  1. Given the existing competition and low engagement in this space, what specific, unmet needs of restaurants will your QR code menu solution address that others don't?
  2. How will you overcome the challenge of low engagement and drive adoption among restaurant owners who may already be using a competing QR code menu solution or be hesitant to switch?
  3. How can you build a sales strategy that doesn't involve integrating directly into the POS?

  • Confidence: High
    • Number of similar products: 23
  • Engagement: Low
    • Average number of comments: 2
  • Net use signal: 9.0%
    • Positive use signal: 9.0%
    • Negative use signal: 0.0%
  • Net buy signal: 0.0%
    • Positive buy signal: 0.0%
    • Negative buy signal: 0.0%

This chart summarizes all the similar products we found for your idea in a single plot.

The x-axis represents the overall feedback each product received. This is calculated from the net use and buy signals that were expressed in the comments. The maximum is +1, which means all comments (across all similar products) were positive, expressed a willingness to use & buy said product. The minimum is -1 and it means the exact opposite.

The y-axis captures the strength of the signal, i.e. how many people commented and how does this rank against other products in this category. The maximum is +1, which means these products were the most liked, upvoted and talked about launches recently. The minimum is 0, meaning zero engagement or feedback was received.

The sizes of the product dots are determined by the relevance to your idea, where 10 is the maximum.

Your idea is the big blueish dot, which should lie somewhere in the polygon defined by these products. It can be off-center because we use custom weighting to summarize these metrics.

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