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I Keep Building Apps Before Validating. So I'm Fixing That.

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TL;DR: Nick Smet built multiple failed side projects following the same pattern: Idea->Build->Polish->Wait->Nothing. Community discussion confirms this is the most common indie hacker failure mode.

Key Insights

  • Technical execution alone doesn't create demand
  • Competitor 1-star reviews are a free roadmap for gaps to fill
  • Active outreach must replace passive waiting for users

Actionable Takeaways

  • Before any feature, write 'who asked for this?' and 'what pain does it solve?'
  • Read competitor reviews systematically for patterns
Read full article on indiehackers.comAdded Feb 15, 2026