Me and my co-founder took a few days off work.

Not for a vacation.

But for a 4-day marathon to try and finish our first SaaS.

Any tips to survive the grind?

Hey everyone 👋 For those interested, we've added new advertising options ranging from 1,659 up to 7,458 weekly impressions.

Only until April 30th , we're doing a sale were you get 25 bonus ad credits per 100 credits purchased️

Advertising options: huzzler.so/advertise/options-pricing

Upcoming features for Huzzler

Now that the development on the advertising system is done, we're focusing on making Huzzler the best platform for founders. Here is a list of a couple of the planned features we have:

• Automatically add your product to "alternative to" so people can find your products through SEO
• Be able to save / bookmark valuable posts in folders
• Accountability system where you can define goals and celebrate milestones with the community weekly (you will be held accountable by the community) 😉
• A problem/solution directory where users can submit real world problems they have. This will provide Huzzler users with a list of already validated product ideas. You'll also be able to notify the user who posted the problem when your app is ready, that way you already have a paying customer ready.
• Gamification: have a level and xp. Increase your level by contributing in the community
• Referral system: gain advertising credits by referring people to Huzzler
• OAuth, login with Google
• Embeddable badges for the launch Arena
• Be able to link a product with a showcase
• Better filtering / sorting in product pages (filter by category, sort by date,..)
• Coming soon tab: all projects that are soon to be relelased
• Previous launch arena winners pages
• .... and many more features

Let me know if you'd like to see other features as well 😁

Thanks for reading guys!

Hi all,

I’m a college student trying to build my first SaaS product. I don’t have a technical background, and I can’t afford to hire developers, so I’m exploring free and low-code/no-code tools (what some people call “vibe coding”?).

Right now, I’m in the learning and planning stage. I don’t have a finished idea yet, just a strong interest in creating something real and figuring things out as I go. I’d love to hear from anyone who’s:

1. Built a SaaS without a tech background

2. Used free tools or no-code platforms to get started

3. Is currently working on a similar project

Any tips, recommended tools, lessons learned, or just general advice would mean a lot. I’m not trying to promote anything – just here to learn and connect.

Thanks in advance!

Building the backend for your application is a critical decision that can significantly impact development speed, scalability, and long-term maintainability. Two popular approaches are using a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) like Supabase or building a traditional backend with frameworks like NestJS and databases like PostgreSQL. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and the "best" choice depends heavily on your project's specific needs. (TLDR at the bottom)

Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) - Supabase

Supabase is an open-source alternative to Firebase that provides a fully managed backend out of the box. It’s designed to help developers launch products quickly without having to set up and maintain their own backend stack.

What Supabase offers:

• PostgreSQL database with real-time subscriptions
• Authentication with social logins and row-level security (RLS)
• File storage with security rules
• Serverless edge functions for custom logic
• WebSocket-based real time updates
• Frontend-friendly SDKs for easy integration with frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, etc.

Benefits:

• Fast development: Great for building MVPs quickly.
• Low barrier to entry: Minimal backend expertise needed.
• Scalable (managed): Supabase handles infrastructure so you can focus on your features.
• Cost-effective for early-stage apps: Generous free tier and simple pricing.
• Open source: You can self-host later if needed.
• Smooth frontend integration: Built with frontend devs in mind and now vibe coders.

Disadvantages:

• Less customization: Limited control over the backend stack.
• Vendor lock-in: Migrating away can get tricky if you rely on Supabase-specific features.
• Scaling costs: Can get expensive at higher usage levels.
• Advanced feature learning curve: Features like RLS or edge functions take time to master.

Traditional Backend – NestJS & PostgreSQL

Going the traditional backend route means setting up and managing your own server-side infrastructure. With a framework like NestJS and a relational database like PostgreSQL, you’re in full control of how your backend operates. This approach is ideal for developers who want maximum flexibility, deep customization, and long-term scalability.

What it typically involves:

• Handling authentication, business logic, and API routes manually
• Deploying on your infrastructure (e.g., VPS, cloud platforms)
• Managing DevOps, monitoring, and scaling yourself

Benefits:

• Full control: Customize every aspect of your backend.
• Highly flexible: Integrate any library or service that fits your use case.
• No vendor lock-in: You own your entire codebase and database.
• Optimized performance: You can fine-tune performance and costs to your specific needs.

Disadvantages:

• Slower initial dev time: You’ll spend more time on setup and configuration.
• Higher barrier to entry: Requires backend knowledge and server-side experience.
• More upfront costs: Hosting, monitoring, and backups can add up.
• Boilerplate code: Expect to write more code for common features like auth, validation, etc.

When to Choose Which:

Choose Supabase (or another BaaS) if:

• You need to launch fast and iterate quickly.
• You or your team have limited backend experience.
• You want to focus mostly on the frontend.
• Your app has standard backend needs (auth, DB, storage).

Choose NestJS & PostgreSQL (or a traditional backend) if:

• You have complex or custom backend requirements.
• You want to avoid vendor lock-in at all costs.
• You have backend skills (or a team that does).
• Long-term cost optimization and full control are key to your strategy.
• You need to integrate with specialized tools, services, or workflows.

There's no universally "better" option. Supabase and NestJS/PostgreSQL represent different approaches to backend development, each with its own set of trade-offs. Ultimately, the right choice is the one that empowers you to build and scale your application effectively.

___________________________________________________________________________

TLDR:

BaaS (like Supabase): Quick to start, easy for frontend-focused teams, handles backend basics (DB, auth, storage) and scaling, but less customization and potential vendor lock-in. Good for fast MVPs.

Traditional (like NestJS & PostgreSQL): Full control and customization, no vendor lock-in, optimized for specific needs, but slower initial setup and requires more backend expertise. Better for complex, long-term projects. Choose based on speed vs. control.

You may now bookmark posts on Huzzler! You can find your bookmarks in the top right corner when pressing you profile picture 🥳

From the image below, it seems vibe coders have a long way to go before they can actually make safe and secure products.

"Even products from top devs get hacked too," yes, but they usually do know how to go around it.

The best way to prevent getting hacked include:

1. Familiarising yourself with the workings of your framework, programming language, libraries, etc.

2. Always use HTTPS everywhere!

3. Always hash passwords!

4. Use env. variables for api keys, passwords, client IDs.

5. Make sure you run your logs, so you can use them for forensic investigations if a security breach happens.

6. Use prompts such as 'Undertake a full review of any risks associated with exposing personal identifiable information to a malicious actor. Investigate, explain, resolve.' while vibe coding.

Please feel free to add any other pieces of advice.

Hey everyone! Today I've added embeddable badges. All products listed on Huzzler have received an embeddable badge, feel free to add this badge to your website 😁

You can now also win gold, silver and bronze badges in the launch arena.

When launching or developing a SaaS product, selecting the correct pricing approach may make or break your business's success. Each freemium, free trial, subscription, and lifetime deal model has advantages and disadvantages, and the optimal option often depends by your product, audience, and goals.

Here is a simple breakdown of each model:

The Subscription Model: The Old Reliable

With subscriptions, users pay monthly, quarterly, or yearly to keep using the product. It’s super common and for good reason.

For users:

• ✅ Lower upfront cost
• ✅ Ongoing support and updates
• ✅ Can scale up or down with different pricing tiers
• ❌ Might end up paying more over time
• ❌ Another monthly fee to track
• ❌ Can feel locked into the service

For businesses:

• ✅ Predictable, recurring income
• ✅ Builds long-term customer relationships
• ✅ Easier to forecast growth and cash flow
• ❌ You’ve got to keep delivering value to reduce churn
• ❌ Higher upfront investment in building and maintaining the product

Lifetime Deal: Quick Cash, Long-Term Trade-Off

This one’s simple users pay once and get access forever. No more bills. Lifetime deals are especially popular for early-stage products looking to raise quick funds or attract early adopters.

For users:

• ✅ One-time payment = peace of mind
• ✅ No ongoing fees
• ❌ Might not get future updates or support
• ❌ If the product doesn’t last, they lose out

For businesses:

• ✅ Brings in fast cash
• ✅ Attracts early users who can give feedback
• ❌ No recurring revenue = limited growth
• ❌ Long-term support for users who never pay again
• ❌ Can hurt perceived value of the product

Freemium: Free Forever (Until You Want More)

Freemium gives users basic features for free, with the option to pay for more advanced stuff.

For users:

• ✅ Easy to try without commitment
• ✅ Can stay on the free plan if needs are simple
• ❌ Limited features
• ❌ Might have ads or nudges to upgrade

For businesses:

• ✅ Low friction for sign-ups
• ✅ Potential for word-of-mouth growth
• ❌ Feedback from a wide range of users
• ❌ Can get expensive to support all the free users
• ❌ Usually low conversion rates unless the upgrade is compelling

Free Trial: Try Before You Buy (For Real)

Free trials give users full access for a short time think 7, 14, or 30 days so they can explore everything before paying.

For users:

• ✅ Full access with no risk
• ✅ Helps decide if it’s a good fit
• ❌ Limited time to evaluate everything
• ❌ Lose access if they don’t upgrade

For businesses:

• ✅ Shows off your product’s value
• ✅ Can lead to higher conversion rates than freemium
• ❌ Need solid onboarding to help users see the value fast
• ❌ Might attract people who just want a quick free ride

So there you have it: an overview on SaaS pricing. There is no single "right" method to do it, it all relies on your product, who you want to target, and what your objectives are. You could even combine a few of these! The main thing is to consider what makes the most sense for your business and to keep changing as you learn what works best.

Some of you requested functionality to be able to comment on product pages, so we've added it to Huzzler 🥳

In addition to the product comments, we've also improved profile pages. Your products are now directly visible on your profile without having to click on the 'products' tab.

It's now also possible to delete your posts or products.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Keep building 💪

Hey everyone!

We are very excited to announce that you can now install Huzzler on your mobile device and receive push notifications. We have opted to use a PWA instead of a native app as we plan on shipping as many features in the coming weeks (problem / solution directory, accountability, marketing guides..).

To install the app: Simply visit the Huzzler homepage on a mobile device. A popup will appear with instructions on how to install the app. Cheers and let me know if you have any feedback 😁

Thanks!

I saw another post about security in the community, and I felt like adding a few more points because let’s be real, you can never have enough security 😅

With the rise of "vibe coding" and rapid prototyping, the security aspect often gets left behind. But if you're shipping something users will interact with, it's worth taking a moment to lock down the basics.

Here are some simple principles to help keep you and your users safe (or at least safer):

1. Always sanitize and validate user input

Never trust input coming from the user.

Yes, many modern frameworks have built-in protections, but adding your own validation layer ensures nothing weird slips through. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

2. Encrypt all traffic using HTTPS

Ensure all communication between your users and your server is encrypted using HTTPS.

You can do this by obtaining an SSL certificate many hosting providers offer it for free by default. Unencrypted traffic can expose sensitive information, making HTTPS a basic but essential layer of security.

3. Hash passwords properly

Passwords should never be stored in plain text under any circumstances.

Use strong, modern hashing algorithms such as bcrypt or Argon2, and ensure that each password is salted before hashing. Older algorithms like MD5 or SHA1 are no longer considered secure and should be avoided entirely. Proper hashing significantly reduces the risk of password leaks being easily exploited.

4. Log smartly

Logging is great for debugging and tracing bugs/security issues but be smart about what you log.

Never store sensitive info like tokens, passwords, or anything a bad actor could use to impersonate someone.

Security doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it does have to be intentional.

Even small improvements go a long way especially when you start building for real users.

Got any other quick security tip?

Hey founders & builders,

For the past year, I’ve been developing a platform to solve a problem that drained me in my last business spending thousands on websites, designers, marketers, and ads… without clarity or control.

So I decided to create something that does it all but powered by AI, and manageable even if you're solo.

Here’s what we’re launching:

🔧 AI Website Generator

Start with a short conversation. Our AI builds a fully functional website tailored to your product, niche, and goals. Need a landing page or an entire site? It adjusts automatically.

📆 Smart Content Calendar

Automatically generate 30+ pieces of branded social content every month. Scheduled, platform-optimized, and editable.

📣 AI-Powered Ads

Create, test, and manage Facebook & Google ads with AI recommendations and optimization. No more ad agency retainers or guesswork.

💬 Your AI Buddy

Our assistant handles tasks via chat "Launch a $10/day Facebook campaign" or "Write me 5 tweets for this product" all you do is ask.

📊 Unified Dashboard

Track your website, content performance, and ad campaigns in one place. Clean, simple, and built for non-techies.

The goal:

To make launching & growing an online business as easy as chatting with an assistant without needing a team, budget, or experience.

We’re still building and we’d love your feedback.

What would you want a platform like this to do? What should we avoid?

If you want you can check out our waiting list pre-sales landing page at:

https://ai.nexalumen.com

Honest takes welcome.

Thanks in advance happy to answer anything or show previews!

How about a dashboard tweak where I can just pop open comments right there? No need to dive into each post to check out what folks are building or the cool advice they’re sharing.

Hey everyone 👋

I decided to try out this new platform and tbh I really am loving it. The UI and the experience is pretty good.

Also Let's connect together 😁

Hey everyone. Many users requested to be able to login so I've added a "Login with Google option". You may now also change your username (max 1 time per month) and we've significantly improved the layout of posts. Let me know if something doesn't work properly.

Thanks guys!

Hey Everyone!!

I am looking for subreddits where founders/makers share new marketing opportunities for SaaS products. Do you know any specific for this niche!

Example: r/GrowthHacking

Thanks in advance 🙏

Curious to see what everyone is out sourcing currently;

how do you guys like the work?

We're looking into finding a marketing agency currently but are stuck on finding the right one

Let me introduce you to Groop, a product I've built out of pure frustration. Every time I wanted to meet with friends or plan a holiday it was a hassle of constant back-and-forth messaging to check who was available when.

That's why I created Groop, a simple and free solution. It works like this

• Go to groop.cc
• Create a Groop (Eg. summer holiday 2025)
• Send the link to friends
• Everyone can select available dates on a calendar
• The dates when everyone is available are highlighted in green

It doesn't get more simpler than this. No account creation required. No more back-and-forth-messaging.

Check it out: groop.cc

Hey everyone 👋 For those interested, we've added new advertising options ranging from 1,659 up to 7,458 weekly impressions.

Only until April 30th , we're doing a sale were you get 25 bonus ad credits per 100 credits purchased️

Advertising options: huzzler.so/advertise/options-pricing

Upcoming features for Huzzler

Now that the development on the advertising system is done, we're focusing on making Huzzler the best platform for founders. Here is a list of a couple of the planned features we have:

• Automatically add your product to "alternative to" so people can find your products through SEO
• Be able to save / bookmark valuable posts in folders
• Accountability system where you can define goals and celebrate milestones with the community weekly (you will be held accountable by the community) 😉
• A problem/solution directory where users can submit real world problems they have. This will provide Huzzler users with a list of already validated product ideas. You'll also be able to notify the user who posted the problem when your app is ready, that way you already have a paying customer ready.
• Gamification: have a level and xp. Increase your level by contributing in the community
• Referral system: gain advertising credits by referring people to Huzzler
• OAuth, login with Google
• Embeddable badges for the launch Arena
• Be able to link a product with a showcase
• Better filtering / sorting in product pages (filter by category, sort by date,..)
• Coming soon tab: all projects that are soon to be relelased
• Previous launch arena winners pages
• .... and many more features

Let me know if you'd like to see other features as well 😁

Thanks for reading guys!

trying to learn from others' mistakes ;)

also the min char thing is awfully here

What are the best tools to integrate pay walls for your Saas?

Let's create a thread of comments with our best marketing strategies for anyone to steal. We'll start with our most converting strategy, which is Reddit posts about what we do and solve + revenue posts. Those got us record visitors and views there.

Week 1:

-Schedule client meeting to understand requirements.

-Create a detailed Product Requirements Document (PRD).

-Analyze and prioritize features for Phase 1.

-Be transparent about what can realistically be shipped in the first phase.

Week:2

-Finalize and confirm requirements with the client.

-Plan UI/UX, map out all pages and features.

-Start coding prep (set up tech stack, environments, etc.).

Week 3:

-Complete UI development.

-Start backend development and integrate APIs.

-Work on additional features as per priority.

Week 4:

-Focus on debugging and fixing errors.

-Refine the product (UI/UX, performance, etc.).

-Deploy the application and prepare for launch.

Pro Tip:

-Update clients weekly on progress.

-Share challenges openly and seek feedback.

-Stay transparent and collaborative until delivery

LOC of huzzler? Love the app am new here! Waiting for the dark mode aswell.

Would love to see an edit or delete post button.

Love this site an community. Will definitely hustle here!

Reach thousands of active founders looking for tools to solve their problems. Our Featured Product placement guarantees premium visibility with 7,458 weekly impressions for post ads (like you are reading right now).

Get direct access to your perfect target audience - people actively building, launching, and growing startups who are ready to invest in solutions like yours. Limited weekly slots available.

Reserve yours now at huzzler.so/advertise

I am working on all-in-one productivity saas, so what is the features you really want to see in your workspace

The Launch Arena for this week has begun! Make sure to vote on your favorite products.

Creating a product yourself? Make sure to submit it to the launch arena

Good luck to all participants!

I've been building my SaaS for 129 days. Here's a NO-BS list of mistakes I made (and lessons I learned)

1. Prepare legal ground

Have an LLC or some other legal entity so you can collect payments and bypass limitations you'll most definitely run into, if not on this SaaS, then on the next one.

I didn't think about it until I faced APIs such as Meta API or Stripe which required a legal entity. You can always open an LLC remotely in USA, there are many companies that provide this service. It will typically cost you around $500. If you want recommendation on a service I used, DM me.

2. Analyze the market and your competitors before committing your resources

I didn't analyze the market properly. I looked at 4-5 big competitors and their features and that was it. As I kept building, I encountered more and more competition in the space, and it wasn't until the 4th month that I fully realized how crowded this space really is.

To be fair, I didn't know how to do proper research.

If I were starting over, here's what I'd do:

1. Go to AlternativeTo
2. Search your top 5-6 competitors
3. Compile all their alternatives into a table

Here you go, this is your competition. It will include big names as well as small indie hackers like yourself. Study them and figure out where you fit.

If you still want to continue, move on.

3. Select a dead domain name

I was careless with my first name. At the end of 3rd month I had to bite the bullet and spend a few days to re-brand everything, and to start the SEO game from scratch.

Make sure the name you're selecting is a dead name. Nothing significant should appear on Google. Make sure the social media handles for this name are available. Make sure there are no other services, especially in the same niche, that have a very similar name.

Brainstorm the name with ChatGPT. Brainstorm the name with friends. It's easy to get attached and get biased toward a name. You need 3rd party view on this.

4. Start with a Waitlist

Setup simple UTM and Referral tracking.

Ask for the name so later you can make the emails more personalized.

Bare minimum for your waitlist: target audience, feature list, "how it works", and FAQ.

You can start with just text. When you have something to show, put a screenshot/video there.

Add "Welcome" email to the waitlist. As such, you 1) warm up the mailbox and 2) you can see if any emails bounced.

Promote the waitlist on reddit/linkedin/X. Best source for me was Reddit. You can promote even on subreddits which do not allow promotion, if you do it smart. I made some posts on subreddits without including a link to the waitlist, and people reached out to me via DMs asking for a link.

5. ENGAGE WITH YOUR WAITLIST

Seriously, just do it. Those people signed up. Every week you make something new, you can share it with them. Send a biweekly update on the progress.

I kept silent for 2.5 months before I engaged the waitlist. And when I finally did, what happened? Crickets...

6. Choose proven stack

Put your ego aside. Seriously. Just choose what works.

I spent so much time simply because my stack was not optimal. In particular, Vue and Nuxt, which I use, are great frameworks, but they lack in community.

7. Choose an SSR framework for landing page

This one may be obvious to some, but it cost me a week separating my landing page from the app so I can get SEO benefits. Don't be me.

8. Choose proven hosting

I spent several days to relocate my backend from fly.io to render.com because fly.io turned out to be ridiculously slow.

9. Start the SEO game early

Warm up your domain authority. Spend a few days to submit your Waitlist/MVP into directories. Write/generate SEO friendly high quality articles. Optimize your landing and blog page for SEO.

There is absolutely no reason to not invest a few 2-3 days into it early on unless you're still in the experimentation phase.

10. Once your MVP is out, you will get at least a few regular users. Engage with them

Listen to what your users say. Engage with them. Ask how they are doing. Ask for improvement ideas. Ask for feedback. Check up on them from time to time. You first 5 users are very important. When you fully release, consider leaving them as free users. They will become your cheerleaders.

11. Do not code. Instead, PLAN

Think like an architect. Only code to validate hypotheses or prove something works, but once it does, don't rush into building the full ap. Pause. Design first.

Look, these days AI writes 80% of the code. But it doesn't know your vision. If you don't plan the big picture, you'll end up refactoring endlessly.

Start with your data model. Seriously, I spent weeks reworking mine. And I've had plenty of smaller refactors that could have been avoided had I put more thoughts into planning.

Think. Plan. Then build.

12. Do not waste time on UI

Just accept that your MVP UI does not matter. When the time is right, you will change it anyway. Don't spend time on the UI on the first version of the app. Just make it simple and clean, but don't overdo it.

13. Look for out of box solutions when possible

I spent 5 days developing custom billing portal only to find out that Stripe provides it out of box. It took me less than 2 hours to integrate the OOB one.

14. Simplify, simplify, simplify

Can't emphasize this enough. I know this is hard. Your backlog will grow. You'll have more and more ideas. But you have to stay razor sharp. Focus on one specific problem. Whenever you can, look for short cuts.

80% of time the right decision to whatever dilemma you're having is to simplify.

If this helped you — let me know what resonated.

Or tell me what you wish you knew before launching 🚀

Thank you for reading.

Is there a dark mode for huzz? And if so, where do i find it?

Not to mention the amount of bot-like comments. Even the human comments feel inorganic now.

I remember people used to actually ask real questions a few years ago. Asking things about roadmap, research done, funding, pricing, etc. Now it's just 20 comments that all say "Love this!" or "Grats on the launch (thumbsup)"

How to integrate TikTok, LinkedIn, FB, YouTube, Ig into a Web app so users can see their analytics on their content and profile? I'm trying to do this but at the moment I'm getting nowhere.

If you've done this before, or if you've got any advice on how to do this, do tell.

Thank you.

Good luck all participating products!

Make sure to vote on your favorite ones in the Launch Arena

Voting ends on Sunday 🌞

Hey everyone 👋 For those interested, we've added new advertising options ranging from 1,659 up to 7,458 weekly impressions.

Only until April 30th , we're doing a sale were you get 25 bonus ad credits per 100 credits purchased️

Advertising options: huzzler.so/advertise/options-pricing

Upcoming features for Huzzler

Now that the development on the advertising system is done, we're focusing on making Huzzler the best platform for founders. Here is a list of a couple of the planned features we have:

• Automatically add your product to "alternative to" so people can find your products through SEO
• Be able to save / bookmark valuable posts in folders
• Accountability system where you can define goals and celebrate milestones with the community weekly (you will be held accountable by the community) 😉
• A problem/solution directory where users can submit real world problems they have. This will provide Huzzler users with a list of already validated product ideas. You'll also be able to notify the user who posted the problem when your app is ready, that way you already have a paying customer ready.
• Gamification: have a level and xp. Increase your level by contributing in the community
• Referral system: gain advertising credits by referring people to Huzzler
• OAuth, login with Google
• Embeddable badges for the launch Arena
• Be able to link a product with a showcase
• Better filtering / sorting in product pages (filter by category, sort by date,..)
• Coming soon tab: all projects that are soon to be relelased
• Previous launch arena winners pages
• .... and many more features

Let me know if you'd like to see other features as well 😁

Thanks for reading guys!

Hello all,

I’m curious what projects are you all currently working on?

Drop them below 👇