Blog

• Roadmap (Beginning 2021)

  Since the last roadmap post, the following has happened:

  • Added a couple more tax jurisdictions
  • Released a MVP / version 1.0.0
  • Published a web edition
  • Changed name from GigoBooks to Gig’o’Books
  • Re-done the website

  It could be said that the first development cycle has finished and we are now in ‘iterate rapidly’ mode.

• New website and name: Gig'o'Books

  Some announcements.

  I’ve changed/updated/re-done this website. I reckon the new one looks better than the old one and is much more suited.

  I’m also changing the name from GigoBooks to Gig'o'Books.

• Roadmap (October 2020)

  Well, that took longer than expected. The previous roadmap post was three months ago and I thought I’d have a lot more done by now. Unfortunately, there were some unexpected delays and distractions and life just got in the way from time to time.

• Finding a niche for GigoBooks

  The process of writing Why I started GigoBooks made me think more about the market niche and positioning for GigoBooks. Previously (even though I was creating something that I could use) I only had some vague idea that it would be for ‘solopreneurs and other micro-businesses’.

  But now, thanks to (the thinking triggered by) blogging, I have a much clearer idea. Here it is:

• Why I started GigoBooks (and how I got the idea for a startup)

  I've been an independent/freelance software developer/engineer/consultant/whatchamacallit for 10+ years. All thoughout, I recorded my business activities in an accounting software package (an ancient version of Quickbooks). I did a couple of units in accounting in my undergraduate years so I understood the fundamentals of accounting (assets/liabilities/equity/debit/credit etc.) and the value of having proper financial records. It was easy to maintain and made sense to me.

• Roadmap (July 2020)

  Most of the functionality needed for a GigoBooks MVP (minimum viable product) is done. There are just a few ‘big’ things left. Here is the list of features for the immediate/short-term future:

  ‘Soon’ (July/Aug 2020)

  • Financial reports (profit and loss, balance sheet)
  • Print/export invoices to PDF
  • Cross-platform testing and fixes

• Commentary on business model, licensing, monetisation and related topics

  This software is commercially motivated. In other words, the hope is that it will become first: financially self-sustainable, and then second: profitable.

  It started out as a side project during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. I wrote it because it was something I could use. However, it soon grew into something quite substantial and I wondered whether there might be a market for it. In other words, would other people want to use it, but also, be willing to pay money for it? Because if so, then I could continue working on it and turn it into something (hopefully) great. Only one way to find out.

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