✅ POLL: Do you buy the domain first or build the product first?
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Let’s settle this once and for all.
Do you spend 3 hours trying to find a clever .com before writing a single line of code? Or do you ship the MVP and slap on whatever domain wasn’t taken at the time?
Cast your vote and tell us why.
Bonus points if you’ve ever changed your product idea because the domain wasn’t available.
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Replies
ZapDigits
Normally I buy a few domains then I realize it was not a great ideas so move on to another idea.
Hey there!
In our opinion everything starts from THE IDEA (at least that's what we try to emphasise with our product @HipHub )
As soon as we got an idea, the team has been split into two different working fields: development (tech side of the project and the creation of business-processes) and creative side (mission and all other aspects of a vague term "Marketing".
The second part is responsible for the creation of a brand image and market positioning overall, so naming is their job. It's cool if both parts progress simultaneously. However, as with many other processes, here is the golden rule: First In First Out. Therefore, whatever "department" completes their job faster, that will define the order in which people do things. We bought domain first.
Depends on factors such as the cost of the domain, how fast you can build the mvp etc. Sometimes, getting the domain first might help with the motivation to go ahead especially if you've got a really good name. If you however find yourself taking too long to come up with a name, move on and start building.
Buying the domain is cheap - and it gives you a mental peace that some day in future - you'll work on it.
I think it’s best I first find a way to validate my idea. Perhaps maybe there’s a tool for that here on Product Hunt. That would come before considering either of the two options you mentioned. That said, if I were to answer your question, I’d start by searching for a domain name. However, I wouldn’t change my idea just because the exact domain isn’t available. I’d simply get creative with naming instead.
UXArmy
Always build the product, specially when I look back :)
Happycapy
Product first, domain later!
I’m still validating whether my product is worth a paid custom domain 😅
But since I’m building with Trickle and already upgraded my account, I don’t have to worry — custom domain is included in the premium plan. Love when tools save me both time and money. ><
It's stronger than me. Am I the only one who has so many USELESS domains, because plans have changed, but domains stayed? AND DONT GIVE UP I WILL USE IT...NEXT YEAR!
YourGPT
Building the product first instead of jumping straight into buying a domain for an idea that might never launch. 😄