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Start for freeThe Birth of ATX Set List
About a month ago, I shared the story of my first software application - a marketplace for physical goods that unfortunately didn't generate any sales. Today, I want to discuss my unexpected foray into the world of SaaS (Software as a Service) applications. This journey began last year when I started building ATX Set List, a concert aggregator for Austin, Texas.
The Concept
ATX Set List was born out of a personal need. As avid concert-goers in Austin, my girlfriend and I wanted a centralized platform to aggregate shows from our favorite venues. The goal was simple: never miss a show and discover new artists along the way.
Key Features
- Concert aggregation from multiple venues
- Spotify integration for previewing artists' top tracks
- Mobile responsiveness
- Pagination for easy browsing
Inside ATX Set List
Let's take a closer look at the application and its features:
User Interface
The app's interface was straightforward, featuring cards displaying concert information. While the cards themselves looked nice, the overall design was basic, lacking navigation and advanced filtering options.
Concert Information
Each card provided essential details about upcoming shows, including:
- Artist name
- Venue
- Date and time
- Ticket link (when available)
Spotify Integration
One of the standout features was the Spotify integration. Users could click a button to listen to the artist's most popular song directly within the app. This feature was particularly useful for discovering new artists.
Mobile Responsiveness
The application was designed to be mobile-responsive, ensuring a smooth user experience across devices.
Limitations and Challenges
- Some artists, particularly indie or underground acts, couldn't be found on Spotify
- Ticket links sometimes led to general venue pages rather than specific show pages
- The database wasn't regularly updated, leading to outdated information
Marketing Strategy
Initially conceived as a personal tool, the potential for ATX Set List as a SaaS product became apparent as development progressed. However, the marketing strategy was still in its infancy:
Instagram Partnerships
The primary marketing plan involved partnering with popular Austin-based Instagram accounts. These accounts, with hundreds of thousands of followers, regularly post about local events, including concerts.
Word of Mouth
Leveraging personal networks and friends who are concert enthusiasts was another key aspect of the marketing strategy.
Limitations of the Marketing Plan
- No concrete monetization strategy
- Lack of user accounts or personalization features
- Limited budget for marketing efforts
Technology Stack
The application was built using a three-component architecture:
Frontend
- React
- Axios for API calls
Backend
- Node.js
- Express
- PostgreSQL database
Data Scraper
- Separate repository
- Puppeteer for web scraping
- JavaScript
The Downfall of ATX Set List
Just as the project was nearing completion, a major setback occurred. Spotify announced a new feature that essentially rendered ATX Set List obsolete:
Spotify's New Concert Feature
- Comprehensive coverage of all Austin venues
- Dozens of concerts listed daily
- Seamless integration with Spotify's existing platform
- No need for a separate application
Impact on ATX Set List
The release of Spotify's feature immediately killed all motivation to continue developing ATX Set List. The months of work suddenly felt wasted, and the project was abandoned.
Lessons Learned
Despite the disappointment, several valuable lessons emerged from this experience:
1. Technology Preferences
- Strongly typed languages are preferred for backend development
- Node.js and Express can be frustrating for complex backends
- Spring Boot and Java offer better control and integration with databases like PostgreSQL
2. Speed is Crucial
- The tech industry moves fast
- Getting a product to market quickly is essential
- There's always competition, so being first can be a significant advantage
3. Thorough Market Research is Vital
- More upfront research could have revealed Spotify's plans
- Validating ideas against existing and upcoming products is crucial
- Competing with tech giants like Spotify is extremely challenging
Moving Forward: Dinner Be
Despite the setback with ATX Set List, I'm now working on a new SaaS application called Dinner Be. This project represents my first serious attempt at building a SaaS product, incorporating the lessons learned from the ATX Set List experience.
Goals for Dinner Be
- Aim for a beta version by the end of the year
- Apply lessons learned from ATX Set List
- Focus on faster development and thorough market research
Conclusion
Building ATX Set List was a valuable learning experience, despite its ultimate failure. The project provided insights into technology preferences, the importance of speed in development, and the necessity of thorough market research.
For aspiring SaaS developers, these lessons serve as important reminders:
- Choose technologies that align with your strengths and project needs
- Move quickly to get your product to market
- Research extensively to avoid building something that may soon be obsolete
While it's disappointing to see months of work go to waste, the knowledge gained from this experience is invaluable for future projects. As I move forward with Dinner Be, these lessons will undoubtedly shape my approach and increase the chances of success.
Remember, failure is often the best teacher in the world of software development and entrepreneurship. Every setback provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve for your next venture.
Final Thoughts
Building a SaaS application is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It requires technical skill, market awareness, and perseverance. While ATX Set List didn't succeed, it paved the way for future projects and personal growth as a developer.
If you're embarking on your own SaaS journey, take heart in knowing that setbacks are part of the process. Learn from each experience, stay adaptable, and keep pushing forward. With each attempt, you're one step closer to creating a successful SaaS product that truly resonates with users and fills a market need.
Stay tuned for updates on Dinner Be and more insights into the world of SaaS development. Your next great idea could be just around the corner!
Article created from: https://youtu.be/DGAtAkWE1DU?si=oToDqqsFWS7ViNKz
