Invite only or open to all for SaaS?
I've had an invite only early access program for Letter, where people have been able to use it completely free in the beginning to test the features.
This has helped me shape the app, but the next update will introduce the subscription model.
At this point would you make the the app open, or keep it invite only? And what to do for existing early access users?
I'm thinking to make it open, and send those early members a good discount coupon. The only downside I can think of is I don't get the chance to do the 'exclusivity' thing, where people can be cool for getting in early, which works as marketing. What do you reckon? Anyone had experience of either approach?
I think "exclusivity" as a viral accelerator only truly works if you have some buzz around you to begin with. If you're getting talked about on twitter, then sure - being exclusively invite-only can help build more WOM marketing.
Otherwise I think it just works against you.
So in 99% of cases for Indiehackers, I think the best thing is to just be open.
Spot on. This is the best answer
@yongfook is absolutely right.
I'd like to also add that even with some buzz around you, sometimes it's just not enough. There's been more than a few higher profile folks out there who have had to pivot/wind down shortly after post launch.
The other thing I'd add here is to really work on your landing page. Not just making it look "nice", but to have actual useful information there about your product.
Again, a higher profile person can have a bunch of memes on the front page and still get away with 10-20k MRR at launch, but for most of us, our landing page has got to answer some very important questions, such as pricing (a lot of people seem to jump to this page), some basic screenshots of what the product looks like, table-stakes features, billing/refund policy/trial period, support that's available, etc. Add in a no-login demo for that extra oomph.
good points! I have a demo of the app and pricing, but not got any detailed policies..I guess for me those can come later as people ask
Cheers yeah, it also feels for my case that it'd overcomplicated/confusing with invite only. Simpler and clearer to just have it open for purchase.. Thanks for the thoughts, much appreciated!
If you ask me, have like a fremium version (with more features than the regular free version you might roll out later) for the current users so that they feel premium.
For my product, ruttl.com, I recently started handing out early access and as far as my user research goes, I think this plan works out the best.
That way, its a win-win. You keep the existing users happy by giving them access and you convert the right users into paid customers as well.
Yeah I have a freemium version, but very limited. I think the way you hand out early access for ruttl, I could do that with discount offers
Yes totally, do try that out.
If this is your first project then open for all. But if you already have a good understanding of what you're building and who you're building it for then invite only.
Cheers for your thoughts, I think keeping it closed is mainly useful for testing in my case, so makes more sense to open it and fix any issues as they arise
At the early stage you really need as much user feedback as possible. I wouldn't set artificial constraints.
Exclusivity generally works where there are some network effects (eg. you can see other people using it, but you are locked out, creating fomo). If it's a niche SaaS tool, you're not going to create this.
Nice product by the way.
Yeah I think you're spot on, it's a SaaS..so keep it open, and any network/invite system is probably better via an affiliate scheme - e.g. invite friend, get discount