10
I’ve Built Dozens of Projects, but None Have Really Taken Off
r/indiehackers
7/8/2025
Content Summary
A developer shares struggles with sustaining projects despite initial traction, highlighting SEO as the main traffic driver but facing challenges with competition and limited resources. The community advises focusing on long-term SEO, niche markets, and audience building before product development, while debating the effectiveness of 'ship fast' mentality.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinions emphasize long-term SEO focus and niche targeting over viral tactics. There's strong debate about the 'ship fast' mentality - some criticize it as promoting mediocre products, while others suggest it only works with existing audiences. Conflicting views exist on social media value: some advocate persistent 6-month efforts, others dismiss it as distraction without large followings. The community agrees on audience-first approaches but disagrees on when to pivot vs persist.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Microdose | https://themicrodose.ai | Audience Building | Pre-product audience development platform |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Difficulty maintaining faith in projects long-term
- Intense SEO competition and ranking challenges
- Limited time/resources for marketing (full-time job constraints)
- Social media follower deficit and ad budget limitations
- Uncertainty in scaling existing projects
Problems to Solve:
- Sustaining motivation during slow growth phases
- Effective distribution without large budgets
- Identifying viable niches for solo developers
- Determining pivot vs persistence thresholds
Potential Solutions:
- Focus on long-tail SEO keywords and niche markets
- Build audience before product development
- Allocate 2x more time to marketing than building
- Record market language during project definition for SEO optimization
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Long-term SEO investment over viral tactics
- Niche market domination through long-tail keywords
- Audience-first development approach
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Slow, steady SEO as primary traffic driver
- 6+ month social media commitment for traction
- Pre-launch audience building
Monetization & Product:
- Focus on recurring revenue models (SaaS)
- Validate product-market fit through early paid users
- Balance pricing between accessibility and profitability
User Engagement:
- Community-driven product listings
- Direct creator engagement through DM outreach
- Focus on micro-communities in specific niches