15 of 28
Home/r/SideProject/2025-06-02/#1847
11

How much do you spend on your side projects?

r/SideProject
6/1/2025

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
GitHub Copilothttps://github.com/features/copilotDeveloper ToolAI-powered code completion and suggestions
DigitalOceanhttps://www.digitalocean.com/Cloud HostingVirtual Private Servers (VPS) and cloud infrastructure
Hetznerhttps://www.hetzner.com/Cloud HostingVirtual Private Servers (VPS) and cloud infrastructure
Geminihttps://www.gemini.com/Developer ToolAI-powered code generation and assistance
Apple Developer Licensehttps://developer.apple.com/programs/Developer ToolRequired for distributing iOS apps

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Feeling stuck in middle ground of spending without seeing returns
  • Concern about liability protection for side projects
  • Difficulty justifying LLC costs without revenue
  • Struggling to reach tax deduction thresholds

Problems to Solve:

  • Balancing spending and returns on side projects
  • Protecting personal assets from project liabilities
  • Optimizing tax deductions for side project expenses
  • Finding cost-effective hosting and development solutions

Potential Solutions:

  • Using sole proprietorship instead of LLC for simpler tax treatment
  • Leveraging free or low-cost development tools and hosting
  • Focusing on projects with clear revenue potential
  • Exploring AI tools to boost development efficiency

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Starting with minimal investment to test project viability
  • Using AI tools to accelerate development and reduce costs
  • Building multiple projects to diversify risk

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Focus on organic growth through content and community building
  • Leverage social proof and testimonials from early adopters

Monetization & Product:

  • Validate product-market fit before significant investment
  • Start with low-cost hosting and scale as needed
  • Consider freemium models to attract early users

User Engagement:

  • Build community around niche interests
  • Provide value through free resources and tools
  • Engage with users through social media and forums