The Indie Hacker’s First $1k Checklist: 50 Steps to Profit

Start by identifying a personal recurring frustration that a digital tool could solve. This ensures deep domain knowledge.

Narrow down a specific group of people who share the same pain point you've identified.

Analyze existing solutions to find gaps in their features, pricing, or user experience.

Focus on audiences that already spend money on software or services to solve this specific problem.

Create a one-sentence pitch explaining exactly how your product makes the user’s life better.

Speak to at least 10 potential users without mentioning your solution to confirm the problem exists.

List the absolute minimum features required to solve the core problem.

Do not learn a new language. Use the tools you are already proficient in to maximize speed.

Create a basic page with an email opt-in to gauge interest before writing code.

Start collecting leads immediately to have a warm audience for launch day.

Offer a discount for users who pay before the product is fully launched.

Use a UI kit or framework to keep design clean and professional without spending weeks on CSS.

Code the 'hero feature'—the one thing users are actually paying for.

Allow users to create accounts and save their data securely.

Connect a service to handle credit cards and subscriptions from day one.

Install a simple chat or feedback widget to talk to early users.

Provide a simple FAQ or 'How to Use' guide to reduce support requests.

Track page views and button clicks to see where users get stuck.

Choose one platform (e.g., a community forum or directory) for your initial debut.

Decide between a subscription, one-time fee, or freemium model.

Invite your email subscribers to use the product first and catch bugs.

Ask early testers for honest quotes you can use on your landing page.

Ensure your site loads fast to prevent potential customers from bouncing.

Share your progress, stats, and failures on social media to build trust.

List your tool on curation sites to gain permanent backlink value.

Provide value on forums like Reddit or Quora to establish authority.

Create a sense of urgency with a short-term discount for new users.

Ensure your title tags and meta descriptions are optimized for search.

Keep your audience engaged with updates and helpful industry tips.

Regularly check your feedback logs and prioritize features requested by paying users.

Make it easy for users to share their results or your product with others.

Set up uptime alerts to know instantly if your product goes down.

Try different variations of your main pitch to see which converts better.

Build pages comparing your product to popular alternatives (e.g., 'Us vs Them').

Reach out to potential high-value customers directly via email or professional networks.

Free up your time by automating repetitive onboarding or support tasks.

Offer higher-tier features or annual plans to your most active customers.

Join communities to swap advice and potentially find cross-promotion partners.

Understand why users leave and address those issues to keep revenue stable.

Reduce the time it takes for a new user to reach the 'Aha!' moment.

Build a small, free side-project that drives traffic to your main product.

Showcase your product live to build personal connection and answer questions.

Create templates for common questions to save time and maintain quality.

Encourage users to invite friends in exchange for credits or discounts.

Show how a specific customer achieved success using your tool.

Don't rely on just one platform; expand to search, social, and email.

Look for ways to reduce infrastructure costs as your user base grows.

Evolve from just a tool to a recognizable brand with a consistent voice.

Reach the milestone where your product pays for its own costs and your time.

Use the data from your first $1k to double down on what works.