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It's hilarious.
There are 2 types of people there:
- Delusional developers
- Entrepreneurs who get it
Delusional developers don't think beyond their code.
They think getting a 100 Performance Score will improve Retention (it won't). It will suddenly get you a ton of Google traffic (it won't).
To prove their point, they mention Amazon increasing the Conversion Rate by reducing page speed, a corporation that sells everything for everyone. They have 5 website visitors, but they mimic Amazon.
They say it doesn't take additional effort and can be done in a few hours. But the same people can't find 30 minutes to talk with users or send cold emails.
They think as developers. And this is the most dangerous mindset you can have when starting an indie business.
Because here is the truth.
Retention depends on your onboarding and activation.
SEO depends on keywords, backlinks, and on-page optimization.
You don't need good performance for users in the Texas desert with 3G to get profitable.
Getting a 100 Performance Score is an OCD exercise to make yourself feel like you move the needle (you don't).
If you are a newcomer to the indie business, here are my tips:
- Ditch developer community; surround yourself with Entrepreneurs
- Don't focus on the code. Customers don't give a shit about your new frameworks
- Prioritize marketing, product value, and UX. Customers care about it
- Prioritize boring and unpleasant tasks (onboarding and backlinks) over shiny and ego-pleasing tasks (getting a 100 performance score)
You won't find a profitable and growing business with all 100 on the PageSpeed test.
But you will find thousands of pet-projects of delusional developers that made $0 but got a 100 Performance Score.
The lesson is simple.
Tell me your product isn't profitable without telling me: