Hacker News (HN) is a popular news website for developers, techies, and startups. It has become a go-to resource for those looking for the latest news and updates in the tech industry. HN is similar to Product Hunt in that it works based on upvotes – the more upvotes a post gets, the higher it will appear on the site. This means that the content on HN is curated by its users and mods. The most popular posts are the ones that get the most attention.
If you are a developer or a startup looking to launch your product, HN can be a great platform to showcase your work. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between launching on Product Hunt (PH) and HN and provide some tips on launching your dev tool on HN.
Product Hunt Vs. Hacker News
While launching a product, people often end up with just the Product Hunt. While Product Hunt is a platform focused on product discovery, HN focuses more on news and discussion. PH is filled with tech founders, product folks, and entrepreneurs, while HN is loaded with software professionals, IT guys, and tech enthusiasts. PH engagement is often around the utility and features, while HN is around tech details, functionalities, and features.
In summary, launching on PH may be more beneficial if your product is focused on discovery and utility, while launching on HN may be more beneficial if your product is focused on tech details and functionalities.
We have written a similar blog on launching your dev tool on Product Hunt.
Why is Hacker News Crucial for Dev Tools?
I asked KrunchGPT, a custom GPT built for dev marketers or DeRels, why dev tools should launch in HN. It said this:
- Targeted Audience: HN is a hub for developers, tech enthusiasts, and industry experts, making it an ideal platform to reach potential users who understand and value developer tools.
- Valuable Feedback: The HN community is known for providing insightful and constructive feedback, which can be crucial for refining and improving your tools.
- Brand Visibility: Regular engagement on HN increases brand awareness and visibility within the tech community, enhancing your product’s reputation and recognition.
- Network Building: HN offers opportunities to connect with industry professionals, potential collaborators, and investors, opening doors for partnerships and growth.
- Market Validation and User Acquisition: Positive reception on HN can serve as market validation for your tool and drive significant traffic to your website, aiding in user acquisition.
To give you some examples of how some dev tools leveraged to get more eyes on their product, Groove received 105,000 visits from HN one month before launching their last version. They got 97 signups and 14 paying customers.
How do you launch your dev tool on HN?
If you have decided to launch your dev tool on HN, here are some tips to help you make the most out of the opportunity:
Create a Proper Story
One of the keys to success on HN is creating a proper story. You need to speak the audience’s language and state the problem statement you’re solving clearly. Tell your story and why you picked this problem to solve. Make sure that your story is compelling and interesting and that it resonates with the HN audience.
Source: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38453047
Make Your Landing Page More Understandable
Your landing page is the first thing people will see when they click on your HN post. This means that it needs to be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Use visuals and graphics to help explain your product and its features. Make sure that your landing page is optimized for mobile devices and that it loads quickly.
Let’s take the example of Rownd, a YC company’s Launch HN. Although reader loved their product, there were a series of discussions on what messaging they should’ve used on their landing page.
Source: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30617507
Set Up a Proper Pricing Page
If you are selling a product, you need to make sure that you have a proper pricing page. This should clearly state the price of your product, any discounts or promotions you are offering, and any other relevant information. Make sure that your pricing page is easy to navigate and that it is optimized for conversions. For example, when Rudderstack did a Show HN, they didn’t set up their pricing page.
Use Repo Instead of Landing Pages
One of the best ways to showcase your product on HN is to use a repository instead of a landing page. This is because repositories can lead to stars and forks, which can help increase your product’s visibility. Ensure that your README file is as good as your landing page and updated regularly.
Make a Direct Title Stating the Intent
Your title is one of the most important parts of your HN post. It needs to be direct and to the point and clearly state your post’s intent. Make sure that your title is catchy and attention-grabbing but also informative and relevant.
Tailscale has repeatedly found great success in the HN launches, and one of the major reasons is their “No B.S.” titles. I’m sharing one such example here:
Post Multiple Times
Posting your dev tool on HN multiple times can increase its visibility and reach. However, you need to be careful not to overdo it. Posting too often can be seen as spammy and may result in your posts being flagged or removed. A good rule of thumb is to post once every few weeks or when you have a major update or new feature to showcase.
Set Up Analytics to Track Your Visitors
Finally, you need to set up analytics to track your visitors. Use tools like Krunch to track the visitors from your HN traffic. This will help you see how many people visit your landing page and sign up for your product. Use this information to optimize your landing page and to improve your product.
Other Small Things You Need to Take Care of
In addition to the tips above, there are some other small things that you need to take care of when launching your dev tool on HN. These include:
- Timing your launch: Weekends tend to have less competition but have good traffic. Weekdays during working hours are also good to go.
- Engaging with your comments: Respond to comments on your post and engage with your audience to build a community around your product.
- Leveraging your network to start the conversation: Use your social media channels and personal network to promote your HN post and drive traffic to your landing page.
- Being mindful of how you talk: Make sure that you are respectful and professional in all of your interactions on HN. This will help you to build a positive reputation and to gain the trust of your audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, launching your dev tool on HN can be a great way to showcase your work and reach a wider audience. By following the tips outlined in this post, you can increase your chances of success and make the most out of this opportunity. Remember to create a compelling story, make your landing page more understandable, set up a proper pricing page, check that all things are working in your product, use a repository instead of a landing page, make a direct title stating the intent, post multiple times, set up analytics to track your visitors and take care of other small things.
Good luck!
