Should I launch a new startup with zero users on Product Hunt
Hello Indie hackers,
I'm working on a No frill Attached Helpdesk Software. It is made keeping small business in mind and has only those features one would need. It helps one to create a new helpdesk in less than a minute.
So should I launch it on Product Hunt as soon as I launch or wait for a few paying users and then Launch.
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Hey,
It depends on what you're looking to achieve.
If you're looking to validate your product, I'd suggest you get paying customers elsewhere first.
This is because Product Hunt is not a good test of whether a product has demand - the site is made up of early adopters and plenty of products have done very well on PH and then failed.
But if say I get a good level of sign up on product hunt so won't it automatically get publicity. Asking as I'm curious and amateur in indiehacking.
You'd think so but the reality is that Product Hunt is a microcosm in its own little world.
The founder has done a good job convincing people that it's vital to launch on there but quite frankly I don't really see the benefit for a lot of people. It gets a lot of traffic and views but in the long term it seems to have little impact on the success of the startup.
I think it's better to wait and then launch on Product Hunt, it can be a great opportunity to get relevant traffic to your product and sometimes it gets overwhelming too.
I launched my tool ruttl 2.5 years after we started working on it, of course you don't have to wait that long it was simply a personal decision but don't feel like you need to rush in order to post on Product Hunt or that it's the only way.
All the best on your journey!
I have done SaaS launches earlier and also write a weekly Micro SaaS Newsletter
I think for SaaS, it would be better to build traction first via other sources and get atleast 5-10 customers before launching on ProductHunt. But for other things like Info products, Newsletters it would be better to launch early.
Thanks
It's hit and miss with ProductHunt. You need a good timing and a good dose of luck.
These days, probably everything AI/ChatGPT based will get a lot of upvotes and users. Before it was Crypto, and so on...
I think you should launch and increase your chances of getting lucky, but do not expect a lot.
My experience launching a few products on Product Hunt did not yield significant results. Depending on the product, it may not align closely with startups or early adopters.
Additionally, converting Product Hunt users requires a very detailed product or a free plan that users can try out. It does not work well for products that are paid without a trial.
Validation is important. Getting some eyes on it from Product Hunt can still be helpful. When you receive feedback and improve your product you can always post again!
I suggest to forget ProductHunt in this early stage. A successful launch needs an already engaged audience and takes tons of work to prepare. Not the best place for validation.
I think you should start to grow your audience, get people for Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, Indiehackers or even direct cold emails. The time you have a small audience and you feel your idea is validated by others you are ready for ProductHunt
I would say yes because you can always launch again when you add new features. Honestly, I think launches are overrated unless you have a huge following to promote them, so I say go for it and learn for the next time.
https://www.producthunt.com/questions/how-often-can-i-launch-on-product-hunt
It depends on the product but for softwares and websites I think launch it on ProductHunt is great to have a good start with some users.
A mistake devs that dislike marketing make is to start with the channel.
A good marketing teacher will teach you the following order:
So you never simply start with tactics. That's why most indies don't get any results.
Go through the steps above and think about what your desired outcome is first. Who are you helping and what do they need help with (that they're willing to pay you for?)
Yes, why not I started with zero in the product hunt and now I have my own huge website https://iledscreen.com/iposter-led-product/ you can check here I am selling the best quality LEDs. If I do you can do it also.
I'm not sure it's worth doing that without any prep stages.
The official PH guide will tell you "be friendly, help the community — and you'll be fine". But according to my observations, it never works. ( If you have no one to support your launch, you'll end up with fewer votes.
It only makes sense, I guess, to practice launching so you know how to do it in the future.
I would probably go look for other places such as Hackernews or subreddits.