Ultimate guide on how to rank #1 on Product Hunt

1) Familiarizing yourself with the site's features, community and previous successful launches

Understanding Product Hunt

Let’s get the basics clear first.

a) What are hunters and makers?

On Product Hunt, the terms "hunter" and "maker" refer to two distinct roles in the product submission and launch process.

1. Hunter: A hunter is a Product Hunt user who discovers and submits new products to the platform. Hunters can be anyone from early adopters and tech enthusiasts to influencers and thought leaders.

2. Maker: A maker is the person or team behind the product being submitted to Product Hunt. Makers are responsible for developing, designing, and managing the product.

• During a Product Hunt launch, makers often engage with the Product Hunt community by answering questions, addressing feedback, and providing updates on the product.

• Makers can use the platform as an opportunity to connect with potential users, gather valuable feedback, and build relationships with the Product Hunt community.

 

b) Product Hunt community

Product Hunt has an active and engaged community of users. By participating in discussions, upvoting, and commenting on other products, you can become a part of this community, which will help you better engage with users during your product launch.

2) Understanding product hunt’s audience, benefits & setting clear goals

a) Product Hunt's Audience

b) Why should you care about it?

• Traction:
By ranking high on Product Hunt, your product will be exposed to a large audience of tech enthusiasts, early adopters, and potential customers. This exposure can lead to an increase in signups, downloads, and sales.

• SEO ranking boost:
Product Hunt ranking can indirectly boost SEO by increasing visibility and traffic, generating high-quality backlinks, enhancing social signals, encouraging user-generated content, and building brand authority and trust. These factors can lead to improved search engine performance for your website.

• Funding interest:
A successful Product Hunt launch can catch the attention of angel investors, venture capitalists, and other funding sources. A high rank serves as social proof that your product is innovative and has market potential.

• Validation:
The buzz also demonstrates that your product resonates with users and industry experts, providing validation of your product's value proposition and market fit.

• Social Proof on your website to build trust of potential prospects:
You get to add a Product Hunt widget on your website about your rank which makes your potential users trust it more.

• Awareness:
Ranking high on Product Hunt will generate traction towards your product and brand, leading to increased media coverage, mentions on social media, and word-of-mouth referrals.

• Feedback:
Product Hunt's active community can provide invaluable feedback on your product, helping you identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement

• Opportunities:
Ranking high on Product Hunt can unlock additional opportunities such as being featured in the Product Hunt newsletter, winning a Golden Kitty Award, and more.

c) What does ranking high mean?

• Product Hunt ranks products based on user upvotes and engagement. Products that hit the #1 spot can also gain over 10,000 unique visits.
• Though these numbers may not appear extraordinary, keep in mind the conversion rates are strong due to the fact that Product Hunt’s audience are early adopters of innovations.
• If you rank high, expect around 1,000-3,000 genuine leads for your business from ten thousand website visits.
 

• The platform awards the following rankings:
• Product of the Day: The highest-ranked product of a specific day.
• Product of the Week: The highest-ranked product of a specific week, based on the total number of upvotes and engagement throughout the week.
• Product of the Month: The highest-ranked product of a specific month, based on the total number of upvotes and engagement throughout the month. (4 million people interested in new products visit the website every month)
 

3) Developing a comprehensive plan

a) A few case studies to help you navigate through it

1. Carrd

Carrd was founded in 2016 by AJ, a solo developer with a vision to create a straightforward and affordable platform for building responsive one-page sites. Carrd aimed to cater to individuals, freelancers, and small businesses looking for a user-friendly way to establish an online presence.

 

 

Pre-launch Strategy:

Before launching on Product Hunt, AJ focused on developing a product that met users' needs while ensuring that the tool was intuitive and efficient. The pre-launch strategy included:

1. Releasing a beta version of Carrd and inviting early users to test the platform, mainly through word of mouth and social media.

2. Soliciting user feedback and making iterative improvements based on their suggestions.

3. Engaging with potential users in online forums, social media, and communities related to web design and development.

4. Sharing Carrd's development progress and updates on Twitter, creating a sense of anticipation among followers.

 

The Product Hunt Launch:

When Carrd was ready for its Product Hunt debut, AJ had already built a strong community of supporters and potential users. Key strategies during the launch included:

1. Announcing the launch on Twitter and other social media platforms, urging followers to upvote and share Carrd on Product Hunt.

2. Actively participating in the Product Hunt discussion section, addressing questions, and providing support to users.

3. Offering a limited-time discount on Carrd Pro, the premium version, to incentivize new users and early adopters.

4. Garnering support from friends and colleagues in the tech and design communities, encouraging them to share Carrd with their networks.

 

Results:

Carrd's launch on Product Hunt was a major success. The key outcomes were:

1. Ranking as one of the top products on the day of the launch, with over 1,000 upvotes.

2. Experiencing a significant increase in user sign-ups and conversions to the Carrd Pro plan.

3. Gaining media coverage from several tech publications and blogs, increasing Carrd's visibility in the market.

4. Attracting a dedicated user base that continued to provide feedback, leading to ongoing product improvements.

 

 

2. Visme

Visme was founded in 2013 by Payman Taei, who recognized the need for an easy-to-use design tool that would empower users to create visually appealing content without requiring professional design skills. Visme aimed to cater to businesses, educators, and individuals seeking an effective way to communicate their ideas visually.

 

 

Pre-launch Strategy:

Before launching on Product Hunt, Visme focused on refining its product and building awareness through strategic marketing initiatives. The pre-launch strategy included:

1. Developing a polished, feature-rich version of Visme that addressed users' design needs.

2. Creating an extensive library of templates, icons, and visuals to facilitate users' content creation.

3. Building brand awareness through content marketing, including blog posts, guest articles, and social media posts.

4. Establishing partnerships with influencers, bloggers, and thought leaders in the design and marketing industries to expand Visme's reach.

 

The Product Hunt Launch:

With a solid product and marketing foundation in place, Visme was well-prepared for its Product Hunt launch. Key strategies employed during the launch included:

1. Announcing the launch via email campaigns targeting existing users and newsletter subscribers, encouraging them to upvote and share Visme on Product Hunt.

2. Leveraging influencer partnerships to amplify the launch, asking them to share Visme with their audiences on social media and other platforms.

3. Running a limited-time promotion offering a discount on Visme's premium plans, incentivizing new users to sign up.

4. Actively engaging with users on Product Hunt, answering questions, and providing support to address any concerns.

 

Results:

Visme's launch on Product Hunt was a resounding success. The key outcomes included:

1. Ranking among the top products of the day, with over 1,500 upvotes.

2. Experiencing a surge in new user sign-ups and conversions to premium plans.

3. Gaining coverage from various tech publications and blogs, further boosting Visme's visibility and credibility.

4. Attracting interest from potential investors, paving the way for future funding rounds.

 

 

3. Whereby

Whereby was founded in 2013 by Ingrid Ødegaard, originally under the name "appear.in". The platform aimed to simplify video conferencing by offering a browser-based solution without the need to install software or create user accounts. Whereby was designed to serve small businesses, remote teams, and individuals looking for a hassle-free video conferencing tool.

 

 

Pre-launch Strategy:

Before launching on Product Hunt, the Whereby team concentrated on developing a reliable and easy-to-use product that would meet the needs of their target audience. The pre-launch strategy included:

1. Building a browser-based, no-download video conferencing solution that allows users to create and join meetings with just a few clicks.

2. Ensuring compatibility with multiple devices and browsers to provide a seamless user experience.

3. Beta testing the platform with a select group of users, gathering feedback, and making necessary improvements.

4. Promoting Whereby on social media, relevant online forums, and industry-related communities.

 

The Product Hunt Launch:

With a solid product offering in place, Whereby was ready for its Product Hunt debut. Key strategies employed during the launch included:

1. Announcing the launch on social media channels and newsletters, urging followers to upvote and share Whereby on Product Hunt.

2. Actively engaging with users on Product Hunt, answering questions, and providing support to address any concerns.

3. Offering a limited-time discount on Whereby's premium plans to incentivize new users to sign up and try the service.

4. Encouraging satisfied beta users to share their positive experiences on Product Hunt and social media.

 

Results:

Whereby's launch on Product Hunt was a significant success. The key outcomes were:

1. Ranking among the top products of the day, with several hundred upvotes.

2. Experiencing a surge in new user sign-ups and conversions to premium plans.

3. Gaining exposure and credibility through positive user reviews and recommendations.

4. Attracting the attention of potential investors and partners, leading to further growth opportunities.

 

4) Do you need a hunter?

5) Choosing a launch date

• Although, weekends usually have less competition which makes it easier to rank #1 but it also gets less traffic.

• Weekdays (especially Tuesday & Thursday) on the other hand has highest competition which gives you high traffic with 15% more "Visit" button clicks.

• Leverage traction on platforms like Twitter to boost your Product Hunt launch.

• As a rule of thumb, schedule your launch for 12:01 am PST to maximize visibility for a full 24 hours.
• Make sure to activate a few promotion tactics early in the day to increase your chances to grab the 1st spot early on. This will then increase organic votes on your project as the 1st product of the day is the one you see the most.
• Product Hunt has recently started hiding the voted and showing all products for the first 4 hours. This gives all the products, equal opportunity to get the traction who can test out the product. If your product is really good, the organic traffic itself will drive the upvotes and your chances of being first will be increased.

• Adapt your launch timing based on your target audience, press coverage, team availability, or other factors.

6) Developing assets that grabs attention and convert users

a) Title

• Just use the name of your product without using emojis or descriptions in the title.

Bonus tip: after the launch, change the tittle to optimize it for what people could search on Product Hunt. For an example, “Tweet Hunter” was changed to “Tweet Hunter for Twitter” as people could be looking for Twitter tools.

 

b) Tagline

• Add a very short description of the product. Write an attention grabbing tagline that also explains your product’s value prop.

Examples:

 

1. Notion

One workspace. Every team.

 

1. Slack

One platform for your team and your work

 

1. Figma

The collaborative interface design tool

 

 

c) Description

• This space is perfect for elaborating on your product's purpose and functionality. Make sure to keep it brief while still highlighting your unique selling points and features.

 

Examples:

1. Notion

Notion is an all-in-one workspace where you can write, plan, collaborate and get organized - it allows you to take notes, add tasks, manage projects & more. Imagine a lego structure. Notion provides the building blocks and you can create your own layouts and toolkit to get work done.

 

1. Slack

Make work life simpler, more pleasant and more productive. Slack is the collaboration hub that brings the right people, information, and tools together to get work done. From Fortune 100 companies to corner markets, millions of people around the world use Slack to connect their teams, unify their systems, and drive their business forward.

 

1. Figma

Figma is a collaborative design tool for creating user interfaces, mobile apps, and websites. It offers a wide range of features, including vector editing tools, prototyping, and version control, all in a cloud-based platform.

 

d) Thumbnail

• Consider using a captivating 240x240 image that catches the eye. Animated GIFs can make for engaging visuals, but be wary of making them too busy. Alternatively, you can never go wrong with showcasing your standard logo, as it is a simple yet effective way to grab viewers' attention.

 

Images/Video/GIFs

• Images/GIFs can be incredibly powerful. They catch the eye of potential users and present an opportunity to showcase what your product can offer them. Sometimes, a single image can tell the whole story.

• Product Hunt’s recommended size for images in the gallery is 1270x760. You can upload multiple images to the gallery at once.

• Keep in mind, your first image is the most important: It will automatically appear as a preview card on Social Networks, so make sure it's extra crisp!

• Use clear, concise visuals that quickly convey your product's value proposition. Avoid cluttered designs and opt for a simple, clean look that is easy to understand at a glance.

• Make sure you show benefits not features.

• Keep in mind that many users will view your visuals on mobile devices. Ensure that your images and GIFs are legible and look good on smaller screens.

 

Examples:

 

1. Unspash

 

 

1. ClickUp

 

e) Video

Two types of assets work best:

• Video demonstrations showing a product's capabilities

• A product walk-through by the maker

 

While it’s more authentic when you present the product as a founder, it can also prevent people from actually going to your website since they have seen it all in the video. Find a good balance between both which can maximize conversions to your website.

 

Examples:

 

1. Buska Video created with typeframes.com - one of the best tool to easily create videos.

1. Contra

 

 

1. tl;dv

 

 

1. Mmhmm

 

 

f) First comment 

Be sure to kick off the conversation with a comment about the product. Ask for feedback, thoughts about it or simply just questions they might have. This is a very important part of your launch — 70% of products who achieved Product of the Day, Week, or Month had a first comment by the maker.

 

Examples:

 

1. HODL X 2.0

 

 

1. Finley

 

 

7) Product 'coming soon’

• This early exposure can help generate interest, gather feedback, and build a subscriber list before your official launch.

8) Pre-launch marketing strategy

a) Overall things to take care of before you start

b) Breaking down your pre-launch marketing strategy into steps.

1. Start gathering leads

• Create an excel sheet and add all the people who will potentially support on the day of the launch so that you don’t have to think about it on the big day & highlight the people who have a network or a social distribution that can get you more traction.

• Join communities:
• Participate in Slack groups, WhatsApp groups, and Facebook groups related to your product niche or industry to build relationships and gain insights from fellow makers and entrepreneurs.
Here are a few groups you can start off with
• Indie hackers
• Invincible Product Hunters
• The product folks
 
• Add these leads in another sheet in your doc

1. Prepare the assets you want to send

• You don’t want to spend any time on the day of the launch on anything you could have prepared beforehand!

• Prepare the following (You probably won’t get enough time to do it on the day of launch)
• Social media posts
Content and images (Images should have the Product Hunt and your logo on them.)
• Messages & emails to send
 
Remember: You should not ask for upvotes directly. Not publicly and from people you barely or don’t know. Ask for support and feedback and if people like your project, you can be sure they will upvote.

1. Write your maker comment and keep it ready

• Write a detailed and thoughtful message to provide context, express gratitude, and answer potential questions from users and tell your story.

9) Launch day duties

1. Post your maker comment.

2. Send individual DMs to your Tweet Hunter Contact list.
• Start with the highest potential conversions with warm accounts
• Then send it to cold accounts
(Make sure you send DMs little by little and not all at once to avoid spamming)

3. Send a message in the Slack, Whatsapp, Facebook groups you joined initially

4. Add a Product Hunt widget on your website to encourage visitors to upvote and engage with your product.

5. Engage with users by replying to comments and addressing feedback.

6. Post on all your social media accounts

7. Reach out to influencers you know

8. Send emails to your user base

a) Things to Avoid

10) Post-launch follow-ups

a) What can you do post-launch?

• If you manage to do all of the things mentioned above, you’ll probably hit the top five products of the day. This’ll give you a feature in the next day's Product Hunt digest email.

• Use feedback from users to iterate and improve your product.

• Add Product Hunt badges and embeds to your website and marketing materials to showcase your success and credibility.

• A lot of people will reach out to you on social media and other channels, make sure you either convert them to users or followers.

b) Conclusion: