Today I launched an exporting feature for Happyfeed. Paying users can now receive all their journal entries in a CSV format via email.
I've been getting requests for an export option for years. At first, I wanted to make a fancy PDF option, but I noticed some similar apps offering a CSV format and decided to go that route for simplicity.
I had to learn a few new technologies to make sure my servers weren't getting overloaded by building export.
How it works:
- Uses Heroku Redis to create a job queue for export tasks
- Whenever a "backup" is created, an export job is queued
- The job runs through all posts and builds a CSV line-by-line
- Images are copied into a new folder in S3
- The image folder is zipped and saved with the CSV in S3
- Files are emailed to the user (I use Mailgun)
Risks:
- The additional cost of running worker dynos ($65/mo)
- Free users might be upset that it's a paid feature
- Concerns that CSV isn't the desired format (PDF preferred)
Potential Rewards:
- Increased user trust, knowing they can back up their journal
- Higher % of users signup for Plus subscription
- Shows an interest in pursuing bigger ideals like a printed book
Really proud of this one and it was a lot of work!
Blog post: Journal Exports