Is using "Indie Hacker" products becoming the "Shop Local" of online business?
Hi guys long time lurker, first time poster. So if you're reading, thanks!
I've seen a couple posts and comments recently about people building specifically for other indiehackers, or using an indiehacker product over a larger competitor because they wanted to support the smaller guy more.
It seemed exactly like the mindset a lot of retail customers have of supporting local small business when they can as opposed to Wal-Mart type stores.
They get better support, a better buying experience and the warm fuzzy feeling of supporting a neighbour - maybe at the cost of a higher price tag.
So I've been wondering, given an indie-product is a well made competitor to, let's say, a google product. Would people be more inclined to use it simply because it's indie?
Would you?
Hey 👋
I think being indie is always seen as a benefit. But you're going to need more than just that to get business online.
If you provide the same value as a big competitor for a higher price, you still have to justify it beyond just being indie. People won't pay more for no reason. At the end of the day people will try to support the little guy but you still need to provide value and earn their business.
Whereas, a lot of people I know will still buy local groceries even if it's the same value at a higher price with no perceivable additional benefit.
I think the reason is because indie here usually means software and non-tangible products. I think people are more likely to pay more for no reason to support small businesses when they get something physical in return, eg. posters/toys on Etsy. But again, these are just my thoughts.
Ashish