Product Hunt Launch Checklist

Identify a problem to solve or a need to fulfill

The first step in creating a successful product is to identify a problem that needs to be solved or a need that needs to be fulfilled. This can be done by brainstorming with your team, friends, and family, or by conducting market research. Once you have identified a problem or need, you need to understand the pain points that people are experiencing. What are the challenges that they are facing? What are the frustrations that they are dealing with? The more you understand about the problem or need, the better equipped you will be to create a solution that people will love.

Brainstorm and research potential solutions

Once you have identified a problem or need, you need to brainstorm and research potential solutions. This will help you to narrow down your options and to choose the best solution for your target market. When brainstorming solutions, be sure to think outside the box and to come up with ideas that are both creative and feasible.

Start a waitlist with LaunchList to validate your idea

Once you have a prototype or MVP of your product, you can start validating your idea with potential users and customers. One way to do this is to start a waitlist with LaunchList. LaunchList is a platform that allows you to collect emails from people who are interested in your product. This is a great way to get feedback from potential users and customers and to gauge interest in your product before you launch it on Product Hunt.

Create a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype

Once you have validated your idea, you can start building your product. You should create a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype to test your idea with potential users and customers. An MVP is a product with just enough features to be usable and to test the market. A prototype is a working model of your product that can be used to test the design and functionality.

Test your product with potential users or customers

Once you have created your MVP or prototype, you should test and validate your product with potential users and customers. This will help you understand if your product solves a real problem and if people are willing to pay for it. There are a number of ways to test your product, including surveys, interviews, and usability testing.

Refine and improve your product based on feedback

Now that you have tested and validated your product with potential users and customers, you should refine and improve your product based on their feedback. This will help you to create a product that is truly user-friendly and that people will love.

Get ready for launch on Product Hunt

Once you have refined and improved your product, you are ready to launch it on Product Hunt.

Set up your Product Hunt account

This is the first step to launch your product on Product Hunt. You need to create an account with your email or social media login and verify it.

Add awesome description to your account

This is where you introduce yourself and your product to the Product Hunt community. You should write a short and catchy description that highlights your skills, experience, and passion.

Add relevant contact links to your account [Twitter and website]

Provide more information and ways to connect with you and your product. You should add links to your Twitter and website, as well as any other platforms where you have a presence.

If you're starting up, engage with the community

Engage with the Product Hunt community by responding to comments and answering questions. Be friendly and open to feedback, as it can help you improve your product.

Make sure your product website/app is ready to go with a clear value proposition and a call to action 📝

Ensure that your product's website or app is fully prepared for launch. It should have a clear and compelling value proposition that communicates the benefits of your product to potential users. Additionally, include a strong call to action that prompts visitors to take the desired action, such as signing up or purchasing your product.

Write an enticing title that summarizes what your product is and does 📝

Craft a captivating title that effectively summarizes the essence and functionality of your product. The title should grab attention and convey the primary purpose or unique selling point of your product to attract potential users.

Write a detailed description that explains the problem you are solving, how your product works, and what makes it unique 💡

Provide a comprehensive and informative description of your product. Clearly articulate the problem your product solves, describe how it works, and highlight its distinctive features and advantages. This description should effectively communicate the value proposition of your product to potential users.

Create a GIF or logo that stands out from the crowd 🎨

Design an eye-catching GIF or logo that stands out and grabs attention. Use visually appealing elements and creative animation to make your logo or image memorable and distinct from other products. It is best to use an image with square dimensions. We recommend 240x240. You can use a GIF for your thumbnail, but it will need to be under 3MB and not too flashy. GIFs will only animate while hovering over a post. GIFs with strobing effects, quick cuts, unreadable text, etc. are not recommended and may be edited by the Product Hunt team.

Create your product images and videos that showcase your product's features and benefits 🎥

Develop compelling images and videos that effectively showcase the features and benefits of your product. These visual assets should highlight key functionalities and demonstrate how your product can provide value and solve user problems. The recommended size for images in the gallery is 1270x760.

Select carefully the topics that best describe your product and target audience 🏷️

Choose relevant and accurate topics that align with your product and target audience. These topics will determine how your product is categorized and listed, so it's essential to select the ones that best represent your product and resonate with your intended user base.

Add relevant links to your website, social media, app store, etc. 🔗

Include appropriate links to your product's website, social media profiles, app store pages, and other relevant online platforms. These links will enable users to easily access more information about your product and engage with your brand across different channels.

Create promo codes if you want to offer discounts or free trials to Product Hunt users 🎁

If you wish to provide special offers, such as discounts or free trials, to Product Hunt users, generate promo codes for them. Promo codes can be shared with users during the launch to encourage engagement and attract new customers.

Prepare a list of questions and answers that you are anticipating from the community 📝

Anticipate potential questions from the community and create a list of corresponding answers. This preparation will enable you to respond quickly and efficiently to inquiries during the launch, enhancing the overall success of your product launch. Some questions you may want to consider include:

• How is your product different from existing solutions in the market?
• How do you justify the pricing?
• What is your product's target audience?
• Can you explain the key features of your product?
• What platforms or devices is your product available on?
• Do you have a free trial or demo version of your product?
• Are there any special offers or discounts available for Product Hunt users?
• How does your pricing model work?
• What is your plan for future updates and improvements?
• Do you have a roadmap for integrating with other tools or services?
• What problem does your product solve?
• Are there any limitations or known issues with your product that users should be aware of?
• Can you provide some insights into your team and their expertise?

Build an email list of potential users and customers who are interested in your product 📧

Develop an email list comprising individuals who have expressed interest in your product. This list allows you to communicate directly with potential users and customers, providing updates, exclusive content, and promotional offers to build engagement and drive adoption.

Reach out to influencers, bloggers, journalists, and podcasters who cover your niche and ask for feedback or promotion 📣

Engage with influencers, bloggers, journalists, and podcasters who focus on your product's niche. Seek their feedback, recommendations, or promotional support, as their endorsement and coverage can significantly amplify your product's reach and credibility.

Prepare some promotional content such as blog posts, tweets, newsletters, etc. that you can share on launch day 📣

Create promotional content in various formats, such as blog posts, tweets, newsletters, or other suitable mediums. This content should be prepared in advance and ready to be shared on the day of your product launch to generate buzz and excitement among your audience.

Choose the best day to launch based on audience and competition ⏰

Carefully consider the preferences and behavior of your target audience when selecting the launch day for your product. Additionally, assess the competitive landscape to avoid launching on days when there is significant competition or noise. Choosing the right day can help maximize visibility and engagement with your target audience.

Schedule your launch as early as possible (preferably right after midnight PST) 🚀

Aim to schedule your product launch at the earliest feasible time, preferably immediately after midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST). Launching early allows you to capture the attention and interest of early adopters and provides a longer window for exposure and engagement throughout the day.

Test your product thoroughly and fix any bugs or issues that might affect the user experience 🐛

Prioritize thorough testing of your product to identify and address any bugs, glitches, or issues that could negatively impact the user experience. By ensuring a smooth and seamless product experience, you enhance user satisfaction and increase the likelihood of positive reviews and adoption.

Check your landing page and product page for any typos, broken links, or missing information 📝

Conduct a meticulous review of your landing page and product page to identify and correct any typos, grammatical errors, broken links, or missing information. A polished and error-free presentation instills trust and professionalism, encouraging users to explore your product further.

Add a Product Hunt badge on your website to let people know that you are launching on Product Hunt 🏷️

Display a Product Hunt badge prominently on your website to inform visitors that you are launching your product on Product Hunt. This badge serves as a visual indicator, creating awareness and excitement among your audience while leveraging the reputation and visibility of the Product Hunt platform.

Schedule your promotional content to go live at the same time as your launch 📅

Coordinate the timing of your promotional content to align with the moment of your product launch. By synchronizing the release of promotional materials, such as blog posts, social media updates, or newsletters, you create a cohesive and impactful marketing campaign that maximizes exposure and engagement.

Brainstorm a list of places where you can promote your product 📝

Engage in a brainstorming session to generate a comprehensive list of potential platforms and channels where you can promote your product. This proactive approach ensures that you have a range of options to explore and increases the chances of reaching your target audience effectively.

Inform your email list, friends, family, and supporters about your launch date and ask them to support you 📨

Reach out to your email subscribers, friends, family, and loyal supporters to notify them about your upcoming launch date. Request their support and encourage them to spread the word about your product. Leveraging your existing network can significantly amplify your reach and generate initial traction for your launch.

Submit your product as early as possible (preferably right after midnight PST) 🚀

Aim to submit your product to Product Hunt as early as you can, ideally right after midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST). By submitting early, you increase your chances of receiving higher visibility and engagement as your product will be featured for a longer duration throughout the day. The recommended time to submit is between 12:00 AM and 1:00 AM PST.

Add a creator's comment that tells your product story and invites feedback from the community 💬

Include a creator's comment when submitting your product on Product Hunt. Use this opportunity to share the story behind your product, its inspiration, and its unique aspects. Invite the Product Hunt community to provide feedback, suggestions, and engage in discussions, fostering a sense of community and collaboration.

Share your product link on your social media channels, email list, and other platforms where you have an audience 📣

Utilize your existing online presence and platforms, such as social media channels and email lists, to share the link to your Product Hunt submission. This allows you to leverage your established audience and notify them about your product launch on Product Hunt, driving more visibility and potential engagement.

Engage with the Product Hunt community by replying to comments, answering questions, and thanking users for their support 💬

Actively participate in the Product Hunt community by engaging with users who comment on your product. Respond to comments, address questions, and express gratitude to users for their support. This interaction helps build relationships, showcases your product's value, and fosters a positive image for your brand.

Follow or Tweet at people who have engaged with Product Hunt in the past

Identify and follow individuals on Twitter who have previously engaged with Product Hunt. Engage with their content by liking, retweeting, or commenting on their posts related to Product Hunt. This approach helps you connect with potential supporters and expand your network within the Product Hunt community.

Monitor your analytics and metrics to see how your product is performing and what you can improve 📈

Regularly track and analyze the performance metrics and analytics associated with your Product Hunt launch. This includes monitoring metrics such as website traffic, conversions, user engagement, and feedback received. By analyzing this data, you can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions to optimize your product's performance.

Send an update to your subscribers and users about your results (good or bad) and thank them for their support 📨

After your Product Hunt launch, send an update to your subscribers and users, sharing the results of your launch, whether positive or negative. Express your gratitude for their support and participation, keeping them informed about the progress of your product. This transparent communication strengthens your relationship with your audience.

Follow up with any leads, prospects, or customers who showed interest in your product and offer them a trial or a discount 💰

Take the initiative to follow up with leads, prospects, or customers who displayed interest in your product during the Product Hunt launch. Offer them a trial or a discount as a gesture of appreciation for their engagement. This personalized approach can convert interested individuals into paying customers and nurture valuable relationships.

Collect feedback from your users and customers and use it to improve your product and roadmap 🤝

Actively seek feedback from your users and customers who interacted with your product on Product Hunt. Gather their insights, suggestions, and critiques to understand areas of improvement. Utilize this feedback to enhance your product's features, functionality, and roadmap, ensuring continuous growth and customer satisfaction.

Analyze your launch data and learn from your successes and failures 📊

Dive into the data and metrics associated with your Product Hunt launch. Analyze the performance, user engagement, and feedback received to gain valuable insights. Identify both successes and areas that need improvement, leveraging this knowledge to refine your marketing strategies and enhance future product launches.

Celebrate your achievements and plan for your next steps 🎉

Take the time to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and milestones reached through your Product Hunt launch. Reflect on the progress made and the lessons learned. With a sense of accomplishment, strategically plan your next steps, setting new goals and objectives for the future growth of your product.

Share your story with us and help other makers 🤗

Share your journey, experiences, and lessons learned with the Product Hunt community and other makers. By openly sharing your story, you contribute to the collective knowledge and provide valuable insights to aspiring entrepreneurs and creators. Your story can inspire and empower others to pursue their own product development and launches.