Recap
The status while writing the previous post was:
- All set, get paying customers
Progress until now
I did some more marketing in reddit, migrated the docs from github to Startlight (which I couldn’t integrate into the main page, it just doesn’t work).
Regarding the product itself, I added some features that I needed, and the couple users I got already used:
- See the containers logs
- Run commands in the container
- Personal Access Tokens (not publicly available though)
Not much more happened. Why?
Project demoted to 2nd priority
In the meantime I spent a lot of time working for Your Numbers. I decided to give that project a higer priority for the following reasons:
Easier to sell
I can pitch it to anyone I know, not only devs. This is way more rewarding, because it’s easier to get small wins and feedback.
Higher margins
Docker Deploy has low margins by default. I cannot increase the prices, because then it doesn’t make sense to use it instead of render or fly.io. Your Numbers, in the other hand, has higher margins.
Less risky?
I feel more confident providing the service of Your Numbers than hosting the apps of other people. I have more control and it has less risks in terms of data leaks or security.
First paying customer
Even not having the main priority, I got my first paying customer 🎉.
When he deployed, the billing system was not automated so I had to send a Chechout Link from Stripe. I’ve now automated the whole process, so it’s less sketchy for newcomers.
I was thinking about closing the platform for good and just keep it for myself (I’m using it for You Numbers) and then this first sale came. So I’ll keep it alive and public for the time being.
Synergie
Although it only has one paying customer, I myself use Docker Deploy to automate new customer deployments in Your Numbers.
If I had to do this with a normal hosting platform, it would be way too expensive, but being the owner… well it’s quite cheap. That said, tt would be cheaper for other customers too!
Maybe if I didn’t have Docker Deploy I would have used some other way to automate the deployments, but having full control, it was easy and straightforward. This is reason enough to keep it alive, even if it’s just for me.
Next steps
I’ll just keep it in the background. If I need it to do something, I’ll just go and implement it. If I get feedback or new customers, then I’ll likely implement the required improvements, but I’m not going to activley promote it for now, to give priority to Your Numbers or whatever project that might come in the future.