If you’re not your own best user, you might be building the wrong thing
Content Summary
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinion: Most users agree that being a real user of your product is crucial for identifying pain points and improving the product. There's a strong emphasis on 'dogfooding' and using analytics to understand user behavior. However, some users argue that it's possible to build successful products without being the primary user, as long as you engage with your target audience and listen to their feedback. A few commenters also question whether this approach is always feasible, especially for non-software products. Overall, the conversation reflects a balanced view between personal use and user-centric development.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PostHog | https://www.posthog.com | Analytics & User Behavior Tracking | Helps analyze what users want and where they struggle |
| MusicLinguist | https://www.musiclinguist.com | Language Learning | A language learning app mentioned by a user |
| Vibe42 | https://www.vibe42.xyz | Productivity/Space Management | A tool used for promoting space vitamins |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Lack of personal use leads to poor product understanding
- Building for an audience of one is not sustainable
- Difficulty in identifying real user needs
- Frustration with products that don't align with daily workflows
Problems to Solve:
- Creating products that solve real, daily problems
- Ensuring the product is useful and engaging for end-users
- Identifying and addressing user pain points before launch
- Improving user retention through continuous improvement
Potential Solutions:
- Dogfooding (using your own product)
- Engaging with target users early in development
- Using analytics tools like PostHog to track user behavior
- Implementing features based on user feedback
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Building for personal use to identify real problems
- Engaging with users and incorporating their feedback
- Using analytics to understand user behavior and improve the product
- Focusing on solving real-world problems to create value
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Leveraging word-of-mouth and personal use as a form of marketing
- Promoting products on platforms like YouTube and TikTok
- Offering free or low-cost solutions to attract early adopters
Monetization & Product:
- Focusing on product-market fit by solving real problems
- Building features based on user requests and feedback
- Starting with a minimal viable product and iterating based on usage data
User Engagement:
- Encouraging user feedback and continuous improvement
- Building a community around the product
- Using tools like PostHog to monitor and improve user experience