Go Index Me!

How Mark Built a SaaS Startup to 150 Paying Customers in 30 Days.

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About
Business

Mark Jivko

Founder, Go Index Me!

Founders

Go Index Me!

goindex.me

from

started November 2023

Founders

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Built in

30 days

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Days To Build

Year Started

2023

Customer

B2B & B2C

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Days To Build

Year Started

2023

Customer

B2B & B2C

Who is Mark Jivko?🔗

Mark Jifko is a software engineer with 15 years of experience, having worked as a CTO in various tech fields, who started programming early in high school and transitioned from a large corporation to entrepreneurship, successfully creating and selling multiple tech ventures.

What problem does Go Index Me! solve?🔗

Go Index Me! solves the problem of slow Google indexing by allowing website owners to automate and significantly increase daily page indexing requests, saving them from the frustration of manual, limited processes.

How did Mark come up with the idea for Go Index Me!?🔗

Having always been fascinated by the intricacies of software development and motivated by his personal challenges, Mark found himself tackling a recurring issue—his extensive website of 50,000 pages was not fully indexed by Google. This was a significant problem as it meant the site's existence and its content were essentially invisible on the web. One day, after repeatedly hitting the manual request limit on Google Search Console, he realized the inefficiency of manually indexing a vast number of web pages.

Faced with this roadblock, Mark's inner tinkerer was driven to find a solution. He discovered the Google Indexing API, which offered a more efficient way to automate indexing requests on a larger scale. The initial solution was a simple, unrefined script that proved it was possible to surpass his personal indexing limitations. This success sparked the idea to create a more developed micro SaaS product that not only solved his problem but could also serve others facing similar issues.

Fueled by the excitement of solving a pressing problem and supported by his years of experience, Mark spent 30 intensive days building and refining his tool, Go Index Me! Throughout this process, he learned that speed and simplicity could lead to success, opting for straightforward solutions and reusing familiar technologies. The result was a practical tool that garnered unexpected support and validation through its launch on Product Hunt, proving that addressing personal pain points can resonate with a broader audience.

How did Mark build the initial version of Go Index Me!?🔗

Mark Jifko built GoIndexMe, a micro SaaS for submitting page indexing requests to Google, in just 30 days. He opted for a tech stack utilizing PHP for the backend, MongoDB for the database, and a Next.js application for the front end. The initial version was a straightforward command-line script that sent batch requests to Google's indexing API, proving the feasibility of the concept. Mark faced challenges with scaling and avoiding race conditions, but overcame these with efficient use of PHP's multi-threading and developing a custom HTTP router. By reusing components from previous projects, he expedited development, effectively turning a personal project into a tool beneficial for other webmasters facing similar indexing issues.

What were the initial startup costs for Go Index Me!?🔗

Domain Purchase: The founder spent a small amount on purchasing the domain for GoIndexMe, which was described as being on sale, though the specific cost was not mentioned.

How did Mark launch Go Index Me! and get initial traction?🔗

Product Hunt Launch🔗

Mark, the founder of Go Index Me!, got the initial word out about his business primarily through Product Hunt. With minimal following on social media and without any extensive promotional efforts, he decided to list his micro SaaS on Product Hunt. Remarkably, it got featured and earned the badge for the third best product of the day.

Why it worked: Product Hunt is a platform where early adopters and enthusiasts scout for new and innovative products. Mark was able to attract his first 10-15 customers directly because of the platform’s reach to a relevant audience that appreciated his solution to the indexing problem.

Direct Use of the Product🔗

Despite not having a large customer base initially, Mark started by using Go Index Me! for his own websites. As a developer with experience, this allowed him to test the product extensively and ensure that it effectively solved the indexing issue for personal use before marketing it to others. This approach helped minimize potential issues early on.

Why it worked: By using the tool himself, Mark ensured its real-world effectiveness and reliability. This hands-on validation likely contributed to the positive reception on Product Hunt, as the solution had already been refined through practical use.

Metrics🔗

Go Index Me! garnered approximately 150 paying customers before it was sold.
The Product Hunt listing led to significant engagement, with the startup securing third place for 'Product of the Day,' which contributed to its early customer base.

These strategies showcase how leveraging platforms where potential early adopters congregate, along with personal validation of the product, can effectively generate initial awareness and customer acquisition.

What was the growth strategy for Go Index Me! and how did they scale?🔗

Product Hunt🔗

Go Index Me! gained significant traction by launching on Product Hunt. The product was posted with minimal expectations but quickly garnered attention due to its novel solution for indexing webpages, a problem many website owners face. It was featured as the third best product of the day, gaining 422 upvotes and 96 comments. This exposure was crucial for initial customer acquisition, giving the product credibility and visibility among potential users.

Why it worked: Product Hunt is an excellent platform for gaining early users for new tech products, especially those that solve significant pain points. The exposure from being featured and the positive reception contributed to the initial customer base and organic growth from word-of-mouth.

Direct Advertising🔗

During the growth phase, Go Index Me! utilized direct advertising to increase its user base. Mark Jifko managed these efforts himself, running advertising campaigns over a period of four to six months. While specific platforms were not detailed, efforts were primarily focused on digital channels that could reach a broader audience interested in SEO tools.

Why it worked: Advertising allowed for a controlled and scalable way to reach new users quickly. It helped sustain early growth momentum post-Product Hunt launch, capturing potential users who might not have come across the platform organically.

Organic Growth and Churn🔗

Beyond the initial burst of users from Product Hunt and direct ads, Go Index Me! experienced natural growth and user churn typical for SaaS products. The nature of the tool, catering to users who need to index large volumes of pages, led to a transient user base. Many customers used the service intensively for short periods and churned once their immediate needs were met.

Why it worked: Addressing a specific problem meant that while not all users stayed long-term, the solution met immediate needs. This specificity helped gather a base willing to pay for quick results, even if only temporarily. However, this also highlights the importance of understanding churn and finding ways to extend user lifecycle.

What's the pricing strategy for Go Index Me!?🔗

Go Index Me! offers a tiered pricing model starting at a basic plan with 6,000 pages indexed per month, facilitating extensive indexing for larger websites needing up to 2,000 index requests daily using Google APIs.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Go Index Me!?🔗

Leverage Existing Tools: Mark reused existing components and tools while building GoIndexMe, saving time and effort. For aspiring founders, using familiar tools and ready-made solutions can accelerate development and reduce complexity.
Focus on Scalability Early: While building GoIndexMe, Mark designed the architecture to handle multiple users efficiently, focusing on scalability from the start. This approach helps in avoiding future bottlenecks and ensures the product can grow with demand.
Prioritize Functionality Over Perfection: By deciding against bloating the project with extensive frameworks or unnecessary features, the focus remained on delivering a working product quickly. Aspiring entrepreneurs should prioritize core functionalities that solve the customer's problem, and iterate based on feedback.
Promotion through Strategic Launches: Launching on Product Hunt with an intentional strategy helped GoIndexMe achieve visibility and gain initial users. Founders should consider launching their products on platforms where their target audience is active to maximize visibility.
Plan for the Entire Journey: Mark's approach of starting the business with the end goal of selling it shows the importance of strategic planning. Founders should consider all phases of the business lifecycle—from build to potential exit—to guide decisions and investments.

Go Index Me! Acquisition: How much did Go Index Me! sell for and what was the acquisition price?🔗

Go Index Me! was sold in August through Acquire.com for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition was facilitated swiftly within a week, with a seamless process from listing to cash-in-hand, aided by a seasoned buyer familiar with the platform.

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