Although termed as “independent” developers, like everyone, we still need a community, a “square” to dance in, and familiar “aunties” to dance with. This holds true for independent developers as well. Presently, the “Indie Developer” communities abroad are more mature, so I’d like to recommend some foreign websites frequently visited by independent developers.
Firstly, it’s important to note that accessing some foreign websites might require certain “magical tools.” With these tools, you can open the doors to a new world.
Also, while there are many translation plugins available, I believe it’s better to read the original English content, as translations can sometimes lose the essence or even convey incorrect meanings.
1: Product Hunt
This website is well-known in China, familiar to many internet professionals. It’s a platform for users to share and discover new products. Many well-known products, like Notion, made their debut here.
I recommend two sections for product discovery:
1.1: Hall of Fame Page:
This is Product Hunt’s leaderboard, featuring popular products over the years, including well-known ones like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Notion. It also showcases lesser-known but interesting products, such as:
- BeReal: A social app for sharing photos taken within two minutes, using both front and back cameras.
- Chptr: An app for uploading photos of deceased loved ones, serving as a community for remembrance.
- Earth.fm: A website offering pure, high-quality natural sounds from around the world.
1.2: Collections Page:
This section offers solution collections for specific life or work-related problems. Whether it’s “9 AI Tools for Better Meetings” or “Gifts for the Nomad in Your Life,” you might find a solution here.
Additionally, Product Hunt is vital for promoting your own product.
Many independent developers have gained their first wave of users here.
For the launch process, see:
Summary:
Product Hunt showcases a variety of innovative products that can improve work efficiency or inspire your own creations. You can also launch your product here to potentially gain your first users.
2: Indie Hackers
As the name suggests, Indie Hackers is a forum specifically for independent developers. You can discuss any idea or share anything you find online. Topics range from:
You can find detailed advice from experienced independent developers here.
I recommend some insightful articles:
- How to Come Up with Profitable Online Business Ideas: Entrepreneurs share their processes of ideation and creation.
- How to brainstorm great business ideas: This article emphasizes the approach of “problem first, solution later.”
- Your idea sucks, now go do it anyway: This piece encourages taking action despite imperfections in your idea.
For topic-specific answers, visit group sections.
Summary:
If you have an idea needing feedback or advice, Indie Hackers is a great place to discuss and validate your thoughts. You can learn from peers about their work and life, gaining valuable insights.
3: Reddit
Reddit, akin to China’s Hupu or the former Mop.com, is the fifth largest website in the U.S. with 330 million monthly active users. It’s not specifically for independent developers, but it hosts many subreddits related to them.
3.1: ChatGPT:
Here, you can discuss topics related to the popular ChatGPT, such as:
3.2: SideProject:
This subreddit is great for discovering projects, especially those integrating ChatGPT. It’s also a platform for promoting your projects.
Summary:
Reddit is mainly for exploring viewpoints and discovering interesting projects. For a guide on navigating Reddit, refer to this article.
Conclusion
Remember, being an independent developer doesn’t mean going it alone. Like all, we thrive on community interaction and support. Platforms like Product Hunt, Indie Hackers, and Reddit provide such spaces for engagement and growth.
Today, I’ve shared three platforms, but if there’s interest (e.g., over 100 likes or 500 favorites), I’ll continue discussing other platforms valuable for independent developers’ growth.
For more on the concept of “Indie Developers,” check out my Indie Developers Series column.