Chapter 1: The Concept Behind My Extension

In the realm of product development, I adhere to a guiding principle:

Create something that resonates with 100 people rather than something that merely appeals to 1 million. — Paul Graham

This philosophy became evident to me when I hit 1% of that target shortly after releasing the initial version of my Web Highlights Chrome Extension. My passion for the extension fueled its development, and it gave me confidence that others were likely seeking a practical tool for saving text and bookmarks more effectively. Inspired by Medium’s text-highlighting feature, I aimed to design a similar tool that would function across all websites.

Just Take the Leap

If you're not slightly embarrassed by your first release, you've probably delayed too long. — Yevgeniy Brikman

The most significant challenge is launching your product. Many developers find themselves caught in a cycle of endless refinement, spending years working on a product without ever releasing it. Why? Because the fear of launching something that might not be well-received is often more daunting than the reality of creating something that remains unnoticed.

To truly succeed, we must embrace the possibility of failure. If we shy away from failure, we also shy away from success. — Mark Manson

So, what’s the worst that could happen? Perhaps no one will pay attention to your product, or users may not appreciate it and choose to abandon it. You might even receive some negative feedback. But so what?

I have not failed. I've simply discovered 10,000 methods that don't work. — Yevgeniy Brikman

I vividly recall launching my Web Highlights Chrome Extension in November 2019. After a month, my user base consisted of just four people—myself, my brother, my mother, and a friend. By the two-month mark, that number had doubled to eight, with my brother acting as a "bug-hunter," continuously sending me screenshots of issues, while my friends were primarily using it to support me. However, on March 12, 2020, I experienced a milestone moment—the day an unknown user signed up. My joy knew no bounds!

A year later, I proudly counted 123 active users of my extension, and by November 2022, that number had surged to 6,590. While this may not be a staggering amount, what truly matters is that many users appreciate the application as much as I do.

Total current users of Web Highlights.

Chapter 2: Embracing the Power of Personal Touch

Tim Cook doesn’t send you a handwritten note after you purchase a laptop, but you can. — Yevgeniy Brikman

As a smaller entity, you possess a significant advantage: the ability to execute personal touches that larger companies can't manage. One effective strategy is to prioritize exceptional customer service. Big companies often set low standards, so you can differentiate yourself by making a remarkable effort to not only attract users but also to ensure their satisfaction.

Once you recognize that existing norms don’t define user experience, it becomes exciting to explore how you can exceed expectations. — Paul Graham

A positive rapport with your users can lead to forgiveness for various bugs in your application. For instance, a user left me a 1-star review due to a bug. I quickly engaged with them, promising to rectify the issue promptly, and fortunately, I managed to resolve it the same day. As a result, the user updated their review to a glowing 5 stars.

Engaging in non-scalable actions can enhance various facets of product development, including marketing. Pinterest, in its early days, would visit Apple stores and set all the browsers to their homepage. While they may not employ this tactic now, it was a successful strategy back then. Similarly, Airbnb once rented a $5,000 camera to photograph numerous listings in New York, and Wufoo made a point to send handwritten thank-you notes to new users.

Numerous companies have successfully employed non-scalable strategies to win over their initial customers. For further inspiration, check out dothingsthatdontscale.com to discover how to set your product apart from the competition.

Chapter 3: Validating Your Design

A user interface is akin to a joke. If it requires explanation, it probably isn’t very good. — Yevgeniy Brikman

As developers, we often know our software too intimately, which can distort our understanding of how users perceive it. We can struggle to recall what it was like to be unaware of every detail—this is known as the curse of knowledge.

The curse of knowledge is a cognitive bias vividly illustrated by a Stanford study: When a person taps out a tune, they hear the melody in their head. Try it yourself—tap out "The Star-Spangled Banner." It’s impossible not to hear the tune mentally. Yet, for listeners, all they hear are disconnected taps, reminiscent of a peculiar Morse Code. — Yevgeniy Brikman

To validate your product design, the simplest approach is to let others use it without any guidance. Ask a family member or even a grandparent to try it out. Observing their experience without intervening can be illuminating. If they can navigate your application successfully, your design is likely on the right track.

The primary aim of all computer users is to avoid feeling foolish. — Yevgeniy Brikman

As time passed, I recognized that my extension had significant flaws in its design—flaws I had been unaware of. My extension included features for creating folders and subfolders, but many users struggled to understand how to use them.

To identify such issues sooner, it’s essential to gather as much feedback as possible from your users. Ensure they can reach out easily by providing contact channels, whether it be an email address or a live chat feature on your website.

To improve user feedback collection, I implemented a simple Google Forms page that appears whenever a user uninstalls the extension. This helps me identify user problems and preferences more swiftly. Additionally, I introduced a guided tutorial that walks new users through the main features to ensure that all functionality is clear.

Chapter 4: Transitioning to One-Time Payments

In 2021, I decided to charge users a one-time fee of $9.99 to store more than 50 highlights. It was a difficult choice, as I questioned whether anyone would be willing to pay for my extension. I deliberately chose a "pay once, use forever" model to minimize the barrier to entry. I believe everyone dislikes subscription models, and I wanted to offer a fair price for lifetime access.

In July 2021, I received my first payment. While it wasn’t a large sum, it meant the world to me. I still have a long way to go before I can live off my extension, but this represents genuine passive income. Each confirmation email for the $9.99 payment brings a smile to my face, and I eagerly anticipate what the future holds.

Chapter 5: Promoting My Product

For me, discussing my product and making it publicly known was both crucial and challenging. When I first released the Web Highlights Chrome Extension on the Chrome Web Store, I had no idea if others would appreciate it as much as I did. Although I sought feedback from friends, I sensed their lack of enthusiasm—likely because they weren’t actively looking for a highlighting extension.

Every product or application aims to address a specific issue. Users who appreciate my extension are those seeking a way to organize their web research effectively. My extension meets that need.

Never hesitate to promote your product. Speak about it whenever you can. This is part of why I began writing articles on Medium. Here’s my very first Medium post:

Honestly, I’m writing this article to attract more users to my extension. However, I also hope that others can derive value from my experiences. Writing technical articles has become something I enjoy. If someone had told me two years ago that I’d be blogging on Medium, I would have thought they were joking. So, why not give it a shot yourself?

Start blogging about your application, engage with colleagues, and seek their feedback. Don’t be shy.

Final Thoughts

I hope my journey to earning my first $9.99 encourages you to publish your side project. Launching your product is the first step toward an exciting future. Remember, success only comes when you’re open to the possibility of failure. So, don’t stress too much—after all, it’s just a side project. Leverage your small size to engage in non-scalable actions that can set you apart from larger competitors. Validate your product design to ensure users grasp all functionalities, and don’t hesitate to talk publicly about your product. This will help more people discover and enjoy what you’ve created.

I hope you found this article enjoyable. I’m always open to questions and constructive criticism. Feel free to reach out anytime! 😊

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About Me

I am a Software Engineering Analyst at Accenture Interactive. My primary motivation lies in creating something that can be truly beneficial and transformative for others. For instance, my Web Highlights Chrome Extension allows users to highlight text on any webpage or PDF they visit in their browser. You can categorize your research with tags for easy retrieval. All your highlights sync with the corresponding web application on web-highlights.com. Check it out!

Connect with me on LinkedIn or follow me on Twitter.

Chapter 6: Video Tutorials

To further assist aspiring developers, here are some valuable video tutorials.

This tutorial offers a comprehensive introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro, designed specifically for beginners.

Learn how to create a simple JavaScript application that generates QR codes, a practical project for new developers.