Launch a Side Project Checklist

A step-by-step checklist for taking a side project from raw idea to live product with real users.

coding, productivity, work

by Morris

Idea Validation (Before Writing Any Code)

Most side projects die because they solve a problem nobody has. Validate before building.

• Write a one-paragraph problem statement - not a solution statement
• Search for existing solutions before assuming there are none
• Find 5 real people who have the problem and interview them
• Set a kill date and a success metric before you start
• Estimate the market size honestly
• Test demand with a fake door before building

Choosing the Tech Stack

Pick boring technology you already know. The stack is not a differentiator.

• Default to your strongest existing stack - not the trendiest one
• Choose a database with a free managed tier from day one
• Pick auth that is not DIY
• Decide on monolith vs microservices - and default to monolith
• Write down the stack decision and the reason for each choice

Repository and Project Setup

A 30-minute setup investment saves hours of friction later.

• Create the repo with a README, .gitignore, and license from day one
• Set up CI with GitHub Actions on day one
• Configure a linter and formatter with no-override rules
• Set up a project board with three columns: Backlog, In Progress, Done
• Set up error tracking before the first user

Defining MVP Scope

The MVP is not a smaller version of your vision. It is a specific answer to a specific question.

• Write the one sentence the MVP must answer
• List every feature you want to build, then cut 70%
• Time-box the MVP build to 4-8 weeks max
• Identify and spike any technical unknowns before starting the main build
• Define done: what does a shippable MVP look like?

Build the Landing Page Before the Product

A landing page before launch has two jobs: collect emails and force you to articulate the value proposition.

• Write the headline before designing anything
• Build the landing page with a no-code tool or a simple template
• Set up email capture and automatic welcome email
• Add basic analytics to the landing page
• Publish the landing page and share in 3 relevant communities

Recruiting Beta Testers

Beta testers are not just test subjects - they are your first community and your most valuable feedback source.

• Target 10-20 beta testers, not 100
• Write a beta tester outreach email that sets clear expectations
• Create a structured feedback form for beta users
• Schedule 3 live user sessions and watch people use the product without helping them
• Build a private community for beta testers

Payments and Pricing

Get paid before launch. Free-to-paid conversion is one of the hardest transitions - avoid it by charging from the start.

• Integrate Stripe before launch - not after
• Choose a pricing model before setting prices
• Set prices 2x higher than your instinct says
• Handle failed payments and dunning before they happen

Soft Launch

Launch small and controlled. Get signal before spending money on distribution.

• Define the soft launch: 50 users, not 50,000
• Write and schedule a launch post for each community you identified earlier
• Be available for the first 48 hours after launch
• Document every bug and piece of feedback in one place during the launch
• Get your first testimonial within 7 days of launch

Getting the First 100 Users

The first 100 users come from effort, not algorithms. Distribution is a skill to build, not buy.

• Pick one acquisition channel and go deep on it - not all of them
• Submit to Product Hunt with a proper launch strategy
• Start a "build in public" thread if your target audience is developers or founders
• Reach out personally to the first 50 signups
• Write one SEO-optimized article targeting a long-tail problem keyword

Handling Feedback and Iterating

Build a lightweight system for turning feedback into product decisions without drowning in noise.

• Set up a public roadmap (optional but trust-building)
• Classify every piece of feedback: problem, feature request, or bug
• Decide on a release cadence and communicate it
• Interview churned users within 48 hours of cancellation
• Review metrics weekly: activation rate, retention, and MRR

Kill vs. Double Down Decision

Knowing when to quit is a skill. Most side projects should die sooner than they do.

• Run the kill-date review on the date you set before building
• Identify the specific constraint blocking growth before pivoting
• If doubling down: set a 90-day growth plan with specific milestones
• If killing the project: do it publicly and with a retrospective
• Write down the top 3 lessons from this project before starting the next one