[Milestone] Over 1,000 SMS Sent with SMS Textr – The Journey of Building a Pay-As-You-Go SMS API 🚀
Hey Indie Hackers! 👋
I’m excited to share that my side project, SMS Textr, has crossed a major milestone: over 1,000 SMS messages sent through the platform! 🎉
What is SMS Textr?
SMS Textr is a pay-as-you-go SMS API built for developers, small businesses, and startups in the USA and Canada. With a simple pricing model per SMS, it’s designed to be a straightforward and affordable alternative to expensive subscription-based SMS services. There are no hidden fees, and it’s perfect for small-scale projects that need reliable SMS delivery.
Why I Built SMS Textr
I’ve been working in the developer space for a while, and I noticed that many small businesses and indie developers were paying high prices for SMS APIs they didn’t fully utilize. Most SMS services were designed for larger businesses and came with bloated features, long-term contracts, and steep subscription fees.
That’s when I decided to build SMS Textr—a simple, reliable, and affordable SMS API that anyone could use without worrying about hidden fees or locking into expensive plans. It’s all about offering transparency and giving users control over their SMS usage.
Key Takeaways from Reaching 1,000 SMS
Focus on Core Value: My initial product was very simple, but I focused on making sure that the core value—reliable and affordable SMS—was front and center. Users appreciate simplicity, especially when it’s done right.
Transparency and Trust: The pay-as-you-go model resonated with early adopters. They loved that there were no subscriptions or surprises. This helped build trust from the start.
Community is Key: Sharing my project on communities like Indie Hackers and Reddit has been crucial. Getting feedback from the community, iterating on suggestions, and just talking about the product has helped me improve SMS Textr and attract users.
What’s Next for SMS Textr?
New Features: I’m currently working on adding delivery reports and usage analytics to better serve businesses and developers who need more insights.
User Growth: I’m focusing on scaling the product and expanding the user base. I’d love to hear advice from fellow Indie Hackers on how to get the word out and grow sustainably.
If you’re a developer or small business in need of an easy-to-use SMS API, check out SMS Textr. New users even get 3 free credits to try it out!
Questions for the Community:
How do you market a small SaaS product on a budget?
What strategies have you used to increase user retention for early-stage products?
Final Thoughts:
Building SMS Textr has been an amazing learning experience. From launching a product with minimal features to refining it based on user feedback, I’ve learned a ton along the way. If anyone is interested in discussing how to build a simple, affordable SaaS product or needs advice on starting from scratch, feel free to reach out—I’d love to share what I’ve learned.
