Growing a web app is hard, especially when you have limited capital. This is usually the case for us small indie developers, and because of that, I have built an arsenal of growth ideas to launch that website with a bang!
1. Utilize social media
When starting out, the easiest win is social media. It can generate a lot of buzz right out of the gates, and people tend to share a website they like with their friends.
My usual launch of a website goes something like this:
- Publishing 10 short form videos (Across YouTube shorts, TikTok and Instagram Reels)
- Publish 5 long form YouTube videos (Show your product and show your insight in the niche)
- Get the foundation going on all the socials (X, Instagram, Facebook) by posting a couple posts on each
- Plan out posts that automatically posts everyday for the next month ahead
These days most of the social media platforms use a “For You” structure in their feeds. This means you no longer really need to build an audience to get traction, you just need great content. Good content is generally attention grabbing, emotional, or something people haven’t seen before.
2. Start the SEO campaign
Step number two in the launch of your web app should definitely be launching the SEO campaign. It takes a couple of months to get traction with the organic traffic, which is why it’s important to start it as soon as possible.
You want to build all your “money pages” first, so that search engines understand what your website is about. To later move on to the informational content afterwards.
The most important part when it comes to SEO from my experience is keeping up! Until you have reached around 200 pages of good content – you want to publish at least once a day. After that, you can slow down a bit and focus on improving what’s already published.
3. Get a PR campaign going
Getting featured in local or national magazines is a great way to get a boat load of traffic in a matter of days. This gets eyeballs on your web app directly, and usually starts a snow ball effect. Once one news publication mentions you or your brand – the rest will follow. This creates a serious chance both to get your first paying customers, or reach investors and future partners.
4. Take the feedback to heart
When launching a new web app chances are big you made some mistakes or something is broken. Make sure to therefore add some type of feedback option for your users. This makes you be able to file on your application before it hits the real big masses.
It’s also a great idea to launch a beta version before your real launch. Invite some of the friends you picked up in the niche your in!
That’s all folks, good luck with your little (or big) web app!
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