Competition analysis should be number one on the "Before You Write A Line Of Code" list. As the author has found, the value proposition is also important, but looking at competitors offerings will often inform that too.
Seems like taking a moment to think about monetization before beginning would have saved some trouble.
When you run a service that provides information you either make money through ads or direct subscriptions. And if it's B, you better have an airtight value proposition and an intimate understanding of your competition.
