Unemployed, $0 budget, and just built a crypto-only Craigslist alternative using AI tools.
Hey everyone,I’ve wanted to build a startup for years, but reality always got in the way — no money, no coding experience, and no tech connections. I felt completely stuck.A few weeks ago, I decided to finally try free AI coding tools. I spent nights fighting with constraints, and I actually managed to build and deploy a working MVP on Vercel.It’s called Solum (solum-pi.vercel.app). It’s a clean peer-to-peer directory where crypto holders can buy or sell real estate and vehicles directly, completely skipping the traditional bank cash-out step. No wallet connection required (to avoid phishing/scam risks), no smart contracts, no fees. Just a pure classifieds board. We just heavily recommend using a third-party escrow for safety.When I launched on Product Hunt a few days ago, I got a massive reality check. 0 users. Absolute flatline. I used to think that coding the app was the hardest part. I was completely wrong. The hardest part is getting your first users when you have zero cents in your pocket. Algorithms flag you, filters delete your posts, and you end up screaming into a void.But I'm not giving up. I fixed some bugs, populated the site with some real vehicle listings in the US, and I'm ready to keep pushing.I'd love to get some honest feedback from this community:Would you actually use a directory like this if you wanted to buy a car with crypto?What is the main thing that would stop you from using it?Thanks for reading, glad to finally be part of this community!
The zero-user problem is probably more than just distribution here.
Curious what people who like the concept say would stop them from actually completing a transaction.
Fair point, and honestly the more likely explanation right now.
If I'm being real about it: even if someone found the site today, the friction to actually complete a deal is real — no escrow built in (that's intentional, to avoid custody/licensing issues), no reviews or reputation system yet, no way to verify a listing is legit before reaching out. For something like buying a car or a house, that's a lot to ask someone to trust on a brand new site with zero track record.
Curious if you think that trust gap is solvable with just process (recommending third-party escrow, adding verification badges) or if it fundamentally needs volume/reputation first before anyone bites — chicken and egg either way.
The trust gap is probably the bigger constraint than discovery at this stage. Process can reduce some friction, but without enough successful transactions, reputation is still going to be the harder part to manufacture.
That matches what I'm seeing. One idea I keep coming back to: instead of trying to build reputation from zero on the platform itself, only onboard sellers who already have reputation somewhere else — a verified brokerage listing, an established LinkedIn/agency profile — and surface that on Solum as the trust signal, rather than a review system nobody's used yet.
That said, the end goal isn't just real estate and cars specifically — I want this to eventually work for anyone selling anything for crypto, a phone, a laptop, whatever. The trust problem is probably easier to solve for those smaller-ticket categories first, then carry that reputation model up to the high-value stuff.
Curious if you've seen borrowed reputation work elsewhere, or if it just doesn't transfer the way native reputation does.
That’s an interesting direction. I’d be happy to continue the conversation beyond the thread — would you be open to sharing the best email to reach you on?
Sure, you can reach me at super566753456@gmail.com — happy to keep talking.
Thanks! I’ve just sent it over.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts whenever you have a chance.