When is the best time to launch a product on Product Hunt?
Ariel Orbach
26 replies
"Real artists ship" - Steve Jobs.
This is a question that many entrepreneurs and product managers struggle with. The answer is not a simple one, as it depends on several factors such as the stage of development of your product, your target audience, and the competition on the platform.
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Josh Murphy@josh_murphy1
Product needs to be full on
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@josh_murphy1 what is the definition of "full"? full typically means to be filled to capacity or to be completely satisfied. Does "full on" refer to a specific stage? Are there any features listed? Honestly, I keep adding features and changes, it is never "full", did I get it wrong?"
Don't think there is a best prese, but you have to invest proper resources for lead up to a launch if you want to be a top spot for the day, and if you want to stay there have to be solid.
@brennanwoodruff so we are aiming for the Beta version?
I will say proof of concept all the way up to MVP cos you can get some idea validation
I think it all comes down to when you're prepared to take on feedback and able to act on it, and that could be at PoC, MVP or Alpha.
If your launching globally, I believe I read 12 AM was the best time according to Product Hunt best practices.
The best time to launch a product on Product Hunt can vary depending on the product and the target audience. Generally speaking, it's best to launch on a weekday, as the platform tends to be more active during the workweek. Launching on a Monday or Tuesday is often recommended as it gives the product the entire week to gain traction.
Additionally, it's important to consider the timing in relation to your target audience. If your target audience is primarily located in the United States, launching during US working hours (9am-5pm Pacific Time) can increase your chances of reaching them. If your target audience is located in other countries, it's best to launch during their working hours.
It's also important to consider the timing in relation to other product launches. You may want to avoid launching on the same day as a major product launch or industry event, as the competition for attention can be higher.
Overall, the best time to launch a product on Product Hunt will depend on your product, target audience, and industry. It's important to research and analyze the platform's activity before making a decision.
Depends on the product, but it’s important that users will be able to test the product main features and for you to receive a proper feedback.
I would suggest alpha as the sweet spot. A place where you have a fully-functioning product but could really use the community feedback.
I think at the MVP stage. The world is moving so rapidly that anything short of that would not be even given enough time. An MVP is easy to build, has the basic functionality of the greater product, and thus is a good representative of the product itself. You can only validate an idea if people actually 'use' the MVP because sign-ups cannot accurately do that.
@sara_intikhab1 so is it possible to launch an idea? without any supportive website/app? using tools like maze.co ?
@ariel_orbach Sure. You can do that on other platforms maybe, can also count as research and whatnot, but I think if you want to post on product hunt to validate an idea, it should be MVP. I could be wrong, just an opinion of course
I finished the development of my SaaS this month, but first I want to get some users on other platforms and validate/update it. I plan to launch it on Product Hunt when my idea is somewhere between MVP and PoC.
I think MVP is safest option of all(for both first time and serial entreprenuers). As it allows:
1. proper validation of the idea to the founder.
2. A taste of the product to the early target audience.
3. Feedbacks, improvements and additional features can be added with ease.
4. If things go south, there is also an option to quickly pivot from the initial idea.
5. Lastly, if the founder is looking to raise funds, feedbacks and reviews based on the MVP can help him/her in a great way with VCs rather than just having a PoC.
Additional thoughts on other stages:
PoC: is an absolute NO NO if you are a first time founder. Does no real help. Only works for serial entrepreneurs and people who have already been in this game before.
Alpha, Beta: too much resources must be invested to create them, difficult to pivot, difficult to add/remove features.
Thank you, I hope this helps.
@_captainnemo__ it's great to hear you talk about MVPs as a safe option for first-time entrepreneurs and serial entrepreneurs. Getting feedback from early target audiences, validating the idea, and pivoting if necessary are all excellent points. You were also right about the PoC and other stages being less favorable. Thank you so much for your time and expertise. I really appreciate it! I think there's another side to this coin, though. For example, some entrepreneurs might not have the resources to create an MVP, so they have to go straight to PoC. Also, some startups might not have the time or luxury to wait for feedback from an early target audience; they might need to make a decision and go with it. This could be especially true in the case of startups that have to make decisions and act quickly in a competitive environment, or those that have to implement a solution before their funding runs out.
@bridgerchat We are aiming for the Beta version.
At the very least you must have an MVP. Other than that, other factors kick in such as supporters as your aim to target a high placement in today's products in Product Hunt and supporters and hunters can get you there.
The number of supporters depends on the competition as well - if for instance most competitors at that time show over 100+ supporters, then anything less will not fly.
Communication channels are also important. Those have to be set up prior to launch to support any inquiries, support questions feedback. Communication is key- you need to make people aware of your product and be there to assist any interested parties.
Thus as correctly pointed out in the discussion topic, there are several factors each of which has to be analyzed in detail in order to provide any insights.
@apollon440 thanks for sharing your valuable insights on MVP and other factors like supporters and communication channels in getting high placement on Product Hunt. It was also interesting to see the correlation between supporters and competition level. It's also very important to have clear communication channels before launch to help interested parties. In order to succeed, several key factors need to be considered in detail. I really appreciate your time and expertise. Now, let's get to work and make sure we get to the top of Product Hunt! After all, it's the hunt for the best product, isn't it? 😂
I would love to know the takeaway
Here are some general guidelines to consider when deciding on the best time to launch on Product Hunt:
Launch on a weekday: Product Hunt is most active on weekdays, particularly Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Launching on these days can increase your chances of getting more views and engagement.
Time your launch for maximum visibility: Launching during peak hours can increase your visibility on Product Hunt. These peak hours are typically between 10 AM to 12 PM Pacific Time (PT) and 4 PM to 6 PM PT.
Consider your target audience: If your product is geared towards a specific audience, such as developers or marketers, launch your product during the time when they are most likely to be active on Product Hunt.
Avoid launching during major holidays or events: Launching during holidays or events can decrease your visibility on Product Hunt, as people may be less likely to browse the platform during these times.