Proof of Usefulness Report

Shoreline Cottages

Analysis completed on 1/25/2026

+34
Proof of Usefulness Score
You're In Business

The project represents an established, verifiable brick-and-mortar holiday rental agency in Whitby, UK, operating since 1999 with positive third-party reviews. However, the PoU score is heavily penalized because the submission frames a traditional SME as a tech project with incoherent data (e.g., claiming 'most people have used my product' and confusing revenue with 'marketcap'). While the business has real-world utility in its niche, it lacks the scale, reach, and technical innovation required for a high score in this methodology.

Ready to Compete for $150k+ in Prizes?

Move this data into a HackerNoon blog draft to become eligible for your share of $150k+ in cash and software prizes

View All Reports

Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+18.0
Audience Reach Impact+1.5
Technical Innovation+0.75
Evidence Of Traction+6.0
Market Timing Relevance+4.0
Functional Completeness+0.25
Subtotal+30.5
Usefulness Multiplierx1.12
Final Score+34

Project Details

Description
We specialise in bringing you the very best holiday cottages in Whitby and the surrounding heritage coastline. Over a thousand guests have booked with us each year since 1999. So relax, you’re in safe hands for your stay in Whitby.

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Growing utility with room for optimization
User Engagement
Documented reach suggests active user community
Technical Stack
Modern tech stack aligned with sponsor technologies

Recommendations to Increase Usefulness Score

Document User Growth

Provide specific metrics on user acquisition and retention rates

Showcase Revenue Model

Detail sustainable monetization strategy and current revenue streams

Expand Evidence Base

Include testimonials, case studies, and third-party validation

Technical Roadmap

Share development milestones and feature completion timeline