The site was built in a no-code web application called Bubble.io. There is not one line of code that I wrote on the entire website.

David Bressler, the founder of Excelformulabot.com, came up with the idea while on paternity leave. After discovering the power of AI and its potential in Excel formulas, he realized there was a need for an AI-based Excel formula generator. With 1 billion Excel users worldwide, Bressler saw a big enough market and quickly built a barebone application that went viral and gained traction through Reddit, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Since the launch in September 2022, the website has generated over $14K in monthly recurring revenue.

Excelformulabot was developed quickly to capitalize on the growing AI industry, with a minimalistic MVP built using the no-code platform Bubble.io. The initial version had basic functionality: an input field for user instructions, a button for generating formulas, an output field displaying the results, and a copy button. This barebone MVP took just a few weeks to build, reflecting David's urgency to harness the first mover's advantage in the AI space. He faced challenges related to unexpected high API costs due to viral exposure and immediately had to create a business model to manage costs efficiently. Feedback from the Excel subreddit was crucial for iterating on the initial version, which transitioned into a subscription-based platform with paywalls and logins over several months, demonstrating the effectiveness of user feedback in refining product offerings.

Viral Marketing on Social Media

Excelformulabot experienced significant growth through viral marketing, particularly on TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit. The platform gained traction when users began sharing it as a "website that feels illegal to know." The ripple effect from influencers and micro-influencers posting about Excelformulabot amplified the brand's reach substantially. The virality continued across different social platforms, leading to widespread recognition and traffic.

Why it worked: Viral marketing tapped into the power of social proof. When influencers shared their experiences, their followers were intrigued and inclined to check out the service themselves. The portrayal of the site as a secretive hack added a compelling element that spurred curiosity and shareability.

Influencer Collaborations

Direct engagement with influencers has been a crucial part of Excelformulabot’s marketing strategy. David Bressler reached out to influencers whose audiences aligned with the product's use case in areas like finance, data, and accounting. Collaborations were either based on free promotions or paid partnerships, typically ranging from $200 to $3K per engagement.

Why it worked: Engaging influencers allowed Excelformulabot to tap into established communities that trusted their recommendations. This strategy effectively positioned the product in front of targeted users who found immediate value in the tool, especially amidst audiences who frequently use Excel.

Organic SEO and Branding

Excelformulabot benefitted from organic search traffic, largely driven by people searching for terms like "Excel formula bot." The brand's presence as both the category creator and the main solution provider resulted in high exposure on search engines. The site also garnered backlinks from reputable sites, enhancing its organic search appeal.

Why it worked: The brand's dominance in its niche and the creation of targeted content helped capture users actively searching for AI solutions for Excel. Having a name that directly matched user intent searches significantly enhanced discoverability and credibility.

Email Marketing and User Engagement

For customer retention and reengagement, Excelformulabot deployed email marketing strategies. Personalized messaging was developed based on user interactions, such as the type of formulas searched and user engagement levels. These tailored emails helped retain paying customers as well as encourage trial users to convert.

Why it worked: Personalized email campaigns aligned closely with user behavior, increasing the relevance and impact of each communication. This approach fostered a sense of connection and ensured users saw continued value in maintaining their subscriptions.

Though I had some coding abilities it wasn’t enough to build the more advanced applications I wanted to build. So I came across Bubble, and started tinkering with it.

Jacob Klug, a 20-year-old entrepreneur, launched Creme Digital at 17 after realizing the power of no-code tools like Bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic. His high-school hustle turned into a $100k/month business, building apps for startups and Fortune 500 companies alike.

Creme Digital's approach to building software focuses on leveraging no-code tools, which enables rapid development cycles. The primary tools used in development include Bubble, WeWeb, and Xano. The agency's transition to a bi-weekly subscription model indicates an adaptive and iterative process, aligning with evolving client needs. The initial product versions are shaped through tight feedback loops, involving clients in the development process for continuous improvement, thereby reducing time-to-market to about two months. Building these solutions was initially challenging, especially with the founder balancing high school and business commitments, yet the use of no-code platforms significantly streamlined the process and overcame many technical challenges.

Referrals and Word-of-Mouth

A significant portion of Creme Digital's early growth can be attributed to referrals and word-of-mouth advertising. As they focused on delivering top-notch products, satisfied clients naturally shared their positive experiences with others. This approach helped the business gain credibility and trust in the market, leading to a steady influx of new clients without additional marketing costs.

Why it worked: This strategy leverages the principle of trust and personal testimonials, which are powerful drivers in the decision-making process for potential clients. By consistently providing high-quality service, Creme Digital ensured that their clients became advocates, thereby expanding their network organically.

PR and Media Engagement

Creme Digital worked to increase awareness about no-code solutions through public relations efforts, including media appearances and podcasts. By showcasing the capabilities of no-code tools, they reached audiences that may not have previously considered such technology, thus expanding their potential client base.

Why it worked: Media and PR efforts help in establishing thought leadership and educating the market on the value of no-code development. This exposure not only broadened their audience but also positioned Creme Digital as an expert in a niche field, making it easier to attract clients who were curious about or considering transitioning to no-code solutions.

Google Ads

Although in its nascent stages, Creme Digital experimented with paid advertising through Google Ads to drive traffic and generate leads. These ads helped reach potential clients actively searching for digital solutions, providing a direct channel to present their offerings.

Why it worked: Google Ads can effectively target individuals actively seeking digital transformation solutions, thus presenting a timely opportunity to introduce Creme Digital's capabilities. When combined with highly relevant keywords, these ads can drive qualified traffic, resulting in more targeted and potentially successful client acquisition.

Cold Email Campaigns

Acknowledging a top-of-funnel issue, Creme Digital launched cold email campaigns to increase their lead flow. These campaigns were designed to engage potential clients directly, informing them about the offerings and benefits of their services.

Why it worked: Cold emails, when crafted thoughtfully, can be an effective way to initiate contact with new leads. By providing clear, concise, and compelling information about their services, Creme Digital engaged prospective clients who might not have been reached through other channels. This approach helps in building direct relationships and generating interest among potential clients.

In 2021, Jodie Cook leveraged her extensive content from books, articles, and podcasts to launch Coachvox AI, a platform allowing creators to build AI versions of themselves. After a 7-figure exit from her social media agency, she saw a need for creators to scale their impact without increasing workload, hitting 6-figures ARR pre-launch.

The development of Coachvox AI began with a tech discovery process that involved networking to gather expertise in artificial intelligence and prompt engineering. Jodie Cook reached out to a Bubble agency that had developed the original platform and consulted various contacts via LinkedIn to discuss potential solutions. The team transformation began with Matt, a technical lead who came on board, alongside a user experience designer to convert initial sketches into mockups. They transitioned from conceptual jottings and rudimentary PowerPoint diagrams into tangible mockups, laying the groundwork for the platform. Utilizing tools such as Basecamp, Google Cloud Storage, Vercel, OpenAI, and Jira facilitated the iterative development process. Building this AI product was challenging as it involved creating something distinctive in a competitive market, but the focus on creator-centric features guided the development process, which brought the initial version into reality relatively smoothly.

Forbes Contributor Articles

One of the most effective growth channels for Coachvox AI has been leveraging Jodie Cook’s Forbes contributor profile. This channel has been highly successful, accounting for about 25% of their signups. By intentionally focusing on creating content related to AI and entrepreneurship, Jodie drives significant traffic and leads to Coachvox AI. Forbes has an extensive reach, allowing her to connect with a large audience that is interested in AI tools, thereby cementing her authority and attracting relevant creators who are likely to sign up for Coachvox AI’s services.

Why it worked: Forbes articles attract a substantial readership, and by targeting the content towards AI in entrepreneurship, it naturally appeals to the target audience of creators, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs who are ideal candidates for Coachvox AI. This strategic content creation fosters organic interest and trust among potential users.

Twitter Engagement

Twitter has also proven to be a powerful acquisition channel for Coachvox AI. Jodie Cook actively engages with influential personalities in the AI space, collaborates with them, and gains introductions to their audiences. This approach not only extends Coachvox AI's reach but also increases its credibility by association.

Why it worked: Twitter's format allows for quick and direct interactions with a large network of AI enthusiasts and industry experts. By tapping into existing audiences through collaborations and mentions, Coachvox AI benefits from increased exposure and attracts users who are already interested in AI tools and solutions.

AI Tool Directories and SEO

Another significant growth strategy includes listing Coachvox AI in AI tool directories and optimizing their SEO to appear in relevant Google searches. This ensures that Coachvox AI is visible to users actively seeking AI-driven coaching tools.

Why it worked: AI tool directories are frequented by technology-savvy individuals looking for innovative solutions. By being present where potential customers are already searching, Coachvox AI increases its chances of being discovered by a targeted audience that is more likely to convert.

Networking and Recommendations

Coachvox AI also benefits from recommendations within creator membership groups and networks. By leveraging existing relationships and past networks, they manage to streamline their acquisition efforts effectively.

Why it worked: Leveraging personal networks and industry relationships facilitates warm introductions, which are generally more effective than cold outreach. Recommendations within trusted circles carry weight, making it easier to convert interested parties into paying customers. This strategy capitalizes on existing trust, reducing acquisition friction and enhancing customer retention.

We wanted to get an MVP up and running as soon as possible. After trialing multiple no-code marketplace builders, we landed on bubble.io to provide the first iteration of Permworks.

Permworks was founded by the co-founder of Gohock, who hired a virtual assistant from the Philippines named Daina. Recognizing the value of Filipino talent, the founder decided to create Permworks, a jobs board that connects employers with Filipino talent, making it easier for startups to access staff and focus on growth.

Building the first version of Permworks involved using a no-code platform, Bubble.io, which allowed the founders to rapidly develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). They opted for a pre-built template and customized it to fit their business needs, allowing them to go live within approximately 6-8 weeks. This MVP development phase was more challenging than anticipated, especially when integrating their specific business model with the existing template, which required continuous bug-fixing and functionality enhancements. User feedback was crucial in this phase; for instance, by interacting with employers, they were prompted to add a feature allowing users to shortlist applicants by simply clicking a heart icon, which significantly improved employer satisfaction with the platform.

Social Media and Online Communities

Permworks effectively utilized Facebook groups to reach Filipino job seekers. By posting job ads in specific groups like "Philippines Home-Based Virtual Assistants" and "Digital Marketing Jobs PH," they managed to attract significant attention, sometimes leading to 1,000 new sign-ups overnight. They extended their efforts to other platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn to build their brand presence.

Why it worked: Engaging with Facebook groups specifically targeted at Filipino job seekers helped tap into a community where potential candidates were already active. This strategy quickly generated traction and led to a high number of sign-ups, facilitating a large pool of job seekers for employers.

Competitor Piggybacking

Permworks initially attracted employers by reaching out directly to companies from a competitor's job board. By leveraging a conversion rate of 20-30%, they managed to migrate employers over to their platform, leading to their first paying clients.

Why it worked: This approach effectively targeted an existing pool of employers already seeking Filipino talent. By offering competitive pricing and services, Permworks was able to convert potential customers who were seeking similar solutions.

Word-of-Mouth and Referrals

Word-of-mouth referrals became a powerful channel for acquiring new customers. As Permworks established strong relationships with clients through exceptional service and support, satisfied employers began recommending the platform to other businesses.

Why it worked: Providing top-notch recruitment and compliance services built client trust and satisfaction, prompting employers to spread the word about their positive experiences. This channel organically increased their customer base with minimal additional effort.

Online Advertising

Permworks used online advertising, primarily through LinkedIn, to reach potential customers. By focusing on feed posts that provided educational content about hiring and engaging Filipino talent, they caught the interest of their target audience.

Why it worked: LinkedIn served as a strategic platform for reaching businesses and hiring managers interested in hiring remotely, ensuring ads were seen by those who could benefit most from Permworks’ services. The educational approach engaged employers by addressing common hiring concerns.

Mohamad Alasadi, a 19-year-old entrepreneur and blogger, came up with the idea for Hawk Prospecting while running his marketing agency. He realized the need for a low-budget tool that could help him find qualified leads and prospects. With a limited technical knowledge, he used a no/low-code site builder to build Hawk Prospecting, which has now gained traction and generated $1500 in monthly revenue within its first two months.

Mohamad Alasadi built Hawk Prospecting using a no/low-code tool, which allowed him to bypass the need for extensive coding expertise and reduce startup costs significantly. This platform enabled him to focus on constructing a functional and presentable product, despite starting with limited resources and technical knowledge. It took him roughly three weeks of dedicated daily work to develop the first version of the product, starting with core features like prospect contact information, and slowly adding other functionalities such as paid plans managed through Stripe. The initial prototype was basic, with a primary focus on functionality over aesthetics. However, the process was challenging, particularly when Alasadi faced the hurdle of implementing final features, for which he had to hire a freelance developer for $300, a stark contrast to the $50K quotes he initially received from developers.

Cold Outreach

Hawk Prospecting leaned heavily on cold outreach to acquire its early users. The founder, Mohamad, utilized his background in the marketing agency world to connect with agency owners. Every day, he reached out to agency owners on Facebook, LinkedIn, and through email automation. This approach helped him understand potential users' needs and refine his product accordingly.

Why it worked: Cold outreach allowed Hawk Prospecting to build personal connections with its target audience, receiving direct feedback that was crucial for iterating the product. By reaching directly to potential users, Hawk Prospecting could bypass traditional advertising costs, which was essential for a bootstrapped startup.

Product Hunt and AppSumo

To boost visibility, Hawk Prospecting was launched on Product Hunt, gathering initial traction. Following this, an opportunity to partner with AppSumo greatly accelerated their growth, providing free traffic and new users.

Why it worked: Both Product Hunt and AppSumo are platforms specifically geared toward tech-savvy and startup-friendly audiences. They offered immediate exposure to a large number of potential users who are actively looking for innovative tools, generating significant interest and sign-ups.

Networking and Community Engagement

The founder maximized the power of online communities and networks by engaging with agency owners and other entrepreneurs. He tapped into existing communities to identify pain points and gather crucial insights.

Why it worked: Networking and community engagement helped Hawk Prospecting tap into the precise needs of its users. By being part of targeted communities, the team could better understand user challenges, leading to a more tailored product that served the market effectively.

Organic SEO Efforts

Early on, Hawk Prospecting focused on organic traffic growth by listing the startup on various directories and writing content that linked back to their site to improve SEO.

Why it worked: These efforts helped improve search engine visibility and established domain authority, slowly increasing traffic over time. Organic SEO, while slow, provided a foundation for sustained traffic without spending heavily on ads, crucial for a startup with limited marketing funds.

I started researching to understand what it was all about and got to Bubble.io - the most robust no-code web development platform today.

Sasa Janicijevic, the founder of Codemap.io, came up with the idea for his business after experiencing the frustrations of traditional coding and software development while working on his previous startup. After discovering the world of no-code development, Sasa saw an opportunity to create a marketplace that connects founders and organizations with pre-vetted no-code experts, allowing them to build their products faster and at a lower cost. Since launching in October 2020, Codemap has attracted dozens of expert applications and client projects, proving the strong demand for their services in the rapidly rising no-code industry.

The development of Codemap began with an intense focus on building directly in a no-code environment, leveraging tools like Bubble.io that allow for rapid development without traditional coding. Sasa Janicijevic, the founder, was able to create the first version of Codemap in a span of nearly three months, dedicating 12-14 hours daily to constructing the platform. This effort was considerably simplified by Sasa's previous two-year experience with marketplace businesses, enabling him to visualize the entire user interface and adapt existing concepts swiftly to fit Codemap’s unique objectives. The build process, while straightforward due to the no-code platform, came with challenges inherent to marketplace businesses, such as designing effective UX flows without prior prototypes or screen designs. Despite these challenges, this approach allowed for a comprehensive initial product launch on October 2, 2020, that extended beyond a minimal viable product in terms of features and functionality.

Social Media and Community Engagement

Codemap utilized various social media platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to reach their target audience. They actively engaged with communities dedicated to no-code and low-code development, such as the 100 Days of No Code and Nocode Devs. By participating in these communities and forums, they connected with potential customers who were interested in no-code tools and services. This approach helped them build a strong presence within the no-code movement and established credibility among users looking for no-code solutions.

Why it worked: Engaging with niche communities where potential customers are already congregating allowed Codemap to effectively target their marketing efforts. By positioning themselves as part of these communities, they were able to communicate directly with people who were most likely to benefit from their services, thus generating interest and attracting users to their platform.

Product Hunt Launch

When Codemap launched, they used Product Hunt as a platform to generate buzz and visibility. Launching on Product Hunt allowed them to reach a large audience of tech-savvy users who are always looking for innovative solutions. As a result, they received expert applications and client projects from the get-go, which was crucial for their early traction.

Why it worked: Product Hunt is a popular platform among early adopters and tech enthusiasts, making it an ideal platform for launching new tech products. By leveraging Product Hunt, Codemap tapped into a community that values innovation, leading to initial user sign-ups and project postings that helped jumpstart their marketplace.

Organic Growth and Word-of-Mouth

Codemap achieved significant growth without investing in paid marketing. Instead, they focused on organic growth by providing value through their platform and nurturing relationships within their community. Over time, word-of-mouth began playing a critical role in attracting new users, as satisfied customers and freelancers shared their positive experiences with others.

Why it worked: Focusing on organic growth allowed Codemap to stretch their marketing budget while still reaching a large audience. Word-of-mouth is a powerful endorsement; when users have a positive experience, they're likely to recommend the service to others, which helps build a reputable brand and sustain growth over time.

The idea for AI2SQL came from Mustafa Ergisi's frustration as a data analyst, where he spent endless hours manually optimizing SQL queries. This tedious and error-prone task sparked the thought of leveraging AI to automate query generation, making it more accessible to those without technical expertise. His background in machine learning and database management gave him the confidence that such a solution was feasible.

Mustafa conducted initial market research and gathered feedback from potential users through forums and platforms like Product Hunt. Despite facing numerous technical challenges, he remained committed to refining his prototype based on user input, focusing on making it practical and user-friendly. By engaging with early testers, he realized the significant time savings and efficiency his tool offered, solidifying its necessity and appeal.

The journey taught Mustafa valuable lessons in persistence, user-centric design, and the importance of addressing a genuine problem. The feedback loop with users was critical, allowing him to iterate quickly and validate the solution's effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

AI2SQL was developed by Mustafa Ergisi, who leveraged his background in machine learning and database management to build an AI-driven tool that translates natural language into SQL queries. The development process began with building a prototype that was initially rough but functional, confronting challenges such as algorithm failures and interface design issues. Ergisi used development tools like Bubble for creating the platform, and incorporated machine learning algorithms to refine the accuracy of query generation, iterating quickly based on early user feedback from forums like Product Hunt. The initial build was a solo effort, spanning several months, and was characterized by a commitment to problem-solving and innovation without external funding, opting instead for a sustainable growth approach. Overcoming technical hurdles and user interface challenges, Ergisi’s persistent approach ensured the tool met the needs of its diverse user base, catering to both SQL and NoSQL databases.

Twitter Engagement

AI2SQL's founder, Mustafa Ergisi, uses Twitter extensively to communicate directly with the tech community. By sharing transparent updates on AI2SQL’s revenue, features, and challenges, Mustafa builds trust and establishes himself as an authority figure. He also engages with potential users and shares insights about the product, fostering community engagement.

embed:tweet

Why it worked: Personal branding and direct interaction on social media help humanize the company, creating a loyal following and encouraging word-of-mouth marketing. By being open about the journey, AI2SQL gains credibility and attracts users who value the transparency and authenticity of the brand.

Product Hunt Launch

AI2SQL launched on Product Hunt, where it secured a 5th place ranking. This exposure provided significant visibility and introduced the tool to a tech-savvy audience actively searching for innovative solutions.

Why it worked: Product Hunt serves as a platform for tech enthusiasts looking for new tools. By achieving a high ranking, AI2SQL stood out among similar products, which likely drove an increase in user adoption and gave it a boost in the competitive landscape.

SEO and Content Marketing

AI2SQL focused on content marketing by producing in-depth articles on SQL optimization. These articles started ranking well on Google, driving organic traffic to their site.

Why it worked: High-quality content addressing specific pain points can rank well on search engines, bringing in users actively seeking solutions. By educating their audience and providing valuable insights, AI2SQL not only attracted new users but also established itself as a knowledgeable player in the field.

Referral Program

AI2SQL implemented a referral program to encourage word-of-mouth growth. Existing users were incentivized to refer others, contributing to an increase in new sign-ups.

Why it worked: Referral programs capitalize on existing users’ networks, effectively turning satisfied customers into brand ambassadors. By offering incentives, AI2SQL motivated users to spread the word, leading to organic growth and increased user acquisition.

Dan and Adam had been exploring various business ventures for years, learning from both successes and setbacks. Their experiences designing websites and their history in product development gave them unique insights into the productivity issues designers faced. They realized the potential of no-code tools like Webflow and Figma to revolutionize web design, but also recognized the fragmented nature of the available resources.

The idea for Relume emerged from their hands-on work and deep understanding of component-based web design. They noticed that many web projects were repetitive and could benefit from a standardized, efficient framework. This realization led them to create a comprehensive UI component library that could streamline the design process, initially focusing on their internal needs, before deciding to share it with the broader design community.

Before fully committing to the Relume library, they tested the waters by producing high-quality clonables and engaging with the Webflow community. Their iterative approach allowed them to gather user feedback, refine their product, and build a strong reputation. Although bootstrapping presented challenges, it instilled a disciplined, user-centric development philosophy, which ultimately helped them build a product that resonated with designers seeking to save time while maintaining a high standard of design and functionality.

Relume was initially developed as a component library for Webflow and Figma, focusing on easily customizable design elements that could be reused across websites. The team, consisting primarily of seven members with backgrounds from Canva and Antler, relied on bootstrapping since their November 2021 launch, which pushed them to focus on creating a product ready for immediate monetization. To enhance their offering, they integrated generative AI capabilities that allow users to create sitemaps and wireframes from simple text prompts, leveraging OpenAI's large language model for interpretation. This AI-driven feature was internally trained, and the team managed to update their platform to convert text into visual wireframes in real-time, significantly speeding up the web-building process. Building the product was an intricate interplay of using existing platforms like Figma and Webflow, complemented by a web plug-in for synchronization, despite challenges such as resource limitations and the need for strategic choices in tech partnerships.

Community Engagement

Relume has effectively utilized community engagement to build a strong user base and brand presence. They have an active Slack channel with almost 4,500 members where users share tips, feedback, and job opportunities. This community-driven approach allows Relume to directly interact with users, gather insights, and build a relationship based on trust and transparency.

Why it worked: Engaging directly with users helps in creating a product that aligns closely with customer needs. The feedback loop from the community ensures that Relume's offerings are continuously improving, leading to high user retention and satisfaction.

Content and Clonables

Relume has strategically leveraged content marketing and clonables to increase visibility and attract new users. They have created and shared free resources like clonables and YouTube videos, which are accessible to the Webflow community. This not only drives traffic to their site but also establishes credibility and authority in the space.

Why it worked: Providing valuable, free resources helps in establishing trust and showcases expertise. It positions Relume as a helpful partner to the design community, thereby attracting more users to engage with their main product offerings.

Word of Mouth and Referrals

One of the driving forces behind Relume's growth has been word of mouth and organic online mentions. The design quality and utility of Relume’s offerings have caught the attention of influential figures in the Webflow community, such as Ran Segall, enhancing their visibility and attracting users.

Why it worked: Genuine product quality leads to organic mentions by influencers, which helps in spreading awareness without direct advertising efforts. This type of endorsement can significantly impact potential customers by enhancing brand trust and reputation.

No-Code Tools and Product Launches

Relume launched their no-code Relume Library, which was extensively promoted on platforms like Product Hunt. They used a no-code stack to quickly develop and iterate on their product offerings, enabling a fast and efficient market reach.

Why it worked: Utilizing a no-code stack allowed for rapid development and deployment, enabling them to respond quickly to market needs and iterate based on feedback. Launch strategies involving platforms like Product Hunt helped gain significant initial traction with a broad audience, increasing both visibility and subscriptions.

Yeah, so two years ago, we went from five years of custom code to no-code on Bubble, and I'm never going back.

Chad Sakonchick, the founder of Better Legal, identified a gap in the market when he realized that his attorney friend was losing potential clients due to high charges for basic legal setup services. Observing that this friend billed $1,500 for forming an LLC, with much of the task involving manual data entry, Chad recognized an opportunity to streamline and automate the process. This insight convinced him that technology could reduce the time spent on forming a new business from hours to minutes, and in turn, allow for pricing significantly below competitors while increasing efficiency.

Chad's background in leveraging automation tools like Zapier and experience with CRM systems informed his approach. By initially integrating tools such as Typeform, Asana, and WebMerge, he created a prototype that drastically reduced the complexity and cost-effectiveness of setting up legal documents. This solution's success, with more efficient processes leading to a higher volume of work at lower prices, inspired Chad and his friend to co-found Better Legal.

Before fully committing, they validated the market demand through trial sales, confirming the idea's viability. Chad's willingness to refine the concept through iterative development and feedback reflected his adaptability. His journey demonstrated the critical lesson that understanding and addressing a real-world inefficiency, combined with technological integration, can open up substantial business opportunities in traditional sectors like legal services.

Better Legal was initially built using no-code tools like Typeform, Zapier, and WebMerge, creating a streamlined process to replace tedious document handling tasks. Chad Sakonchick, the founder, switched to Salesforce for improved data management, despite its high cost and limitations. Eventually, they transitioned completely from custom code to a no-code platform using Bubble to overcome development delays and high costs.

This migration allowed Better Legal to recreate five years of custom code within a year, reducing development costs significantly to $5,000-$7,000 monthly. The switch to Bubble also significantly increased efficiency, allowing them to build and iterate features faster while reducing dependence on external developers.

Google Ads

Better Legal initially used Google Ads to attract their first customers. They spent $900 on Google Ads, which resulted in two sales valued at $600. This indicated a promising return rate and validated their service, thus encouraging further investment in this channel.

Why it worked: Google Ads helped them reach potential customers who were already looking for legal services online. This direct approach to advertising allowed Better Legal to effectively showcase their simplified and cost-effective solution to startup headaches, immediately capturing the interest of those in the process of forming a business.

Strategic Use of Technology and Automation

Initially, Better Legal used a combination of no-code tools like Typeform and Zapier to automate the legal document creation process, saving significant amounts of time and reducing costs for filing new business formations. They later transitioned to Bubble, allowing them to rebuild their system efficiently and at a lower cost.

Why it worked: By switching to no-code tools and later to Bubble, Better Legal minimized their dependency on expensive and time-consuming custom development work. This technology strategy not only reduced their operational costs but also allowed them to innovate and offer faster service compared to traditional methods.

Lean Operations and Lower Overheads

Throughout their development, Better Legal kept a lean operations model with a small team, predominantly hiring part-time contractors through Upwork, allowing them to manage costs effectively while scaling operations.

Why it worked: Maintaining a small, efficient team empowered Better Legal to keep operational costs low. This cost advantage allowed them to price their offerings competitively while investing in critical areas like product development and customer service, which contributed to their growth and customer satisfaction.

Customer Transparency and Simplicity

Their marketing focused on customer needs by offering a straightforward and transparent pricing model. Unlike competitors that complicate their offerings with various packages and upsells, Better Legal provided a single all-inclusive price.

Why it worked: This simplicity and honesty in pricing attracted customers who were overwhelmed by the complexity or cost configuration of other services. This clear messaging reduced the hesitation and decision-time for customers, incentivizing them to choose Better Legal for their straightforward approach.

I built an MVP using bubble.io. I then messaged (cold DM) hundreds of agency owners and business owners on LinkedIn, asking if they wanted a demo of the product.

Sebastian discovered the idea for ChatIQ during his time in e-commerce and marketing, where he noticed a pattern of businesses heavily focusing on acquiring new customers but neglecting customer retention. He observed that many companies spent vast amounts on advertising yet failed to efficiently address customer service and support, leading to high customer churn.

When ChatGPT3 was released, Sebastian envisioned a solution involving an AI chatbot that could instantly handle customer inquiries based on detailed knowledge from a business's website data. This would allow businesses to respond swiftly to customers, thereby enhancing customer loyalty.

To validate his idea, Sebastian spent six months engaging with business owners to understand their challenges, subsequently building a simple MVP using no-code tools. He collected feedback through numerous LinkedIn outreach calls, which led him to refine his product by adding customization options and embedding features. Despite the initial technical hurdles as a nontechnical founder, Sebastian persisted, learning new skills and iterating on his product based on user feedback, illustrating the value of resilience and adaptability in entrepreneurship.

Sebastian Volkis built ChatIQ, a customer service automation tool, initially as a non-technical founder. He started with a minimum viable product (MVP) using Bubble.io, a no-code platform, around January/February 2023. This phase involved a basic prototype to demonstrate the concept and receive feedback from agency and business owners.

embed:tweet

Over the next two months, Sebastian iterated on the product, adding customizability and features like chatbot embedding and brand personalization. Although the initial build lacked full technical refinement, he used ChatGPT to assist with coding, gradually incorporating custom code into the app. The learning curve was steep, requiring significant dedication and long hours—up to 14-hour days— to overcome technical challenges and ensure the software functioned effectively.

TikTok

ChatIQ experienced significant growth by leveraging TikTok's potential for viral content. Sebastian Volkis, the founder, posted a simple, engaging video on TikTok demonstrating the product’s features. This video focused on pain points users had with similar tools and quickly gained traction, eventually reaching 140,000 views. Within 48 hours of the video's release, the platform gained 752 new users.

embed:tiktok

Why it worked: TikTok's algorithm promotes engaging content to a broader audience. By highlighting common user frustrations and the product's solutions, ChatIQ tapped into widespread interest and achieved outstanding organic reach. The simplicity and clear call to action in the video helped convert viewers into users.

Cold Outreach on LinkedIn

In its initial stages, ChatIQ used cold outreach via LinkedIn to gain early traction. Sebastian reached out to hundreds of agency owners and business professionals, offering demos of the MVP. This approach helped gather initial feedback and sparked early interest, even though actual sign-ups were low initially.

Why it worked: Cold outreach helped in testing the product's appeal and gaining feedback. It built a network of interested parties who provided valuable insights for further development. This method was more of a testing ground than a high-conversion channel but essential for early product refinement.

YouTube

Sebastian built a YouTube channel, created around 100 videos in a short span, and grew it to 1,000 subscribers fast. The channel served as an additional platform to market ChatIQ. It allowed him to reach an audience interested in business and tech.

Why it worked: YouTube serves as a great platform for in-depth demonstrations and educational content. Building an audience here helped create a community interested in the space, providing a longer-term traffic source beyond the immediate virality of platforms like TikTok.

Pinterest and Snapchat

To further broaden ChatIQ's reach, multiple Pinterest and Snapchat accounts were created. Content from TikTok was repurposed for these platforms, increasing the chances of engaging a diverse audience through different channels and extending the content's life and reach.

Why it worked: Each platform has different demographics and content preferences. By repurposing content across these platforms, ChatIQ maximized its marketing efforts without significant additional content creation work. This strategy captures varying audience segments, potentially leading to increased user acquisition across the board.