How to Get Your Side Project Seen and Gain Paying Users

Building a side project in your spare time is one thing—getting people to actually see it and pay for it is another. In 2022, I built a small micro-SaaS on the side and eventually sold it for a few thousand dollars. With today’s AI tools, building software has become even easier and faster. But what has truly changed isn't the cost of development—it's the cost of attention.

In 2026, distribution matters more than development. This article shares what I've learned from building products, and I'll make the case for why you should resist the urge to jump straight into code before planning how you'll get your project noticed.

By the end, you'll have actionable strategies to help you launch your passion project—whether it's a SaaS, ebook, newsletter, or course—into the world and attract paying users. While the focus is on digital software products, these principles apply to any product with multiple steps and potential friction points.

Let's start by mapping out the path people take to see your app—and more importantly, the path to becoming a paying customer.

How People Actually Become Users

Understanding the journey from first impression to loyal customer is critical. Here's a breakdown of the stages involved.

Touch Points

Every interaction a potential user has with your product—before, during, or after signing up—is a touch point. These include social media posts, blog articles, app store listings, word-of-mouth referrals, and even your pricing page. Each touch point shapes their perception and moves them closer to (or further from) conversion.

The User Funnel

The classic funnel model applies to side projects too:

Awareness – People discover your product through content, ads, or sharing.
Interest – They visit your landing page, read details, and evaluate if it solves their problem.
Trial – They sign up for a free demo or a freemium tier.
Conversion – They upgrade to a paid plan or make a one-time purchase.
Retention – They continue using the product and renew subscriptions.

Optimizing each stage reduces drop-off and increases the likelihood of paying users.

User Retention

Acquiring users is only half the battle—keeping them is where long-term value lies. Retention is driven by product quality, customer support, and ongoing value. A high churn rate can kill a side project, so focus on building features that users genuinely need and regularly communicate updates.

Setting Up & Understanding Tooling

To improve your funnel, you need to measure it. Analytics tools like Google Analytics, Plausible, or Mixpanel can help you track key metrics. For micro-SaaS products, consider using product analytics tools that integrate with your codebase to monitor user behavior in real time.

What to Measure on Your Product?

Traffic sources – Where visitors come from (organic search, social, referrals, direct).
Landing page conversion rate – Percentage of visitors who take a desired action (e.g., sign up, start trial).
Activation rate – Percentage of new users who complete a key action (e.g., first run, first feature use).
Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) – For subscription-based products, this is the lifeblood.
Churn rate – Percentage of users who cancel over a given period.

How Do I Know That My Site's Metrics Are Good?

Benchmarks vary by industry, but here are general guidelines for 2026:

Landing page conversion rate – 2% to 5% is typical; anything above 10% is exceptional (often for highly targeted traffic).
Bounce rate – 40% to 60% is average; lower is better, but high bounce rates are common for blogs or informational pages.
Activation rate – For SaaS, 20% to 40% is common; aim for improvement over time.
Churn rate – For monthly subscriptions, a 2% to 5% monthly churn is typical; lower is better.

Remember, trends matter more than isolated numbers—if metrics improve, your strategies are working.

How to Measure and Improve Bounce Rate

Bounce rate measures the percentage of visitors who leave without taking any action. To measure it, use analytics; to improve it:

Improve page load speed – Slow pages frustrate users and trigger bounces.
Enhance content relevance – Ensure your headline and copy match user intent.
Add clear CTAs – Show visitors exactly what to do next (e.g., "Sign Up Free" or "Try Demo").
Reduce clutter – Remove distracting elements that overwhelm users.

How to Measure and Improve Conversion Rate

Conversion rate measures the fraction of visitors who complete a goal. To boost it:

A/B test – Experiment with different headlines, layouts, and button colors.
Simplify signup forms – Ask for the bare minimum (e.g., email and password).
Leverage social proof – Display testimonials, user counts, or press mentions.
Offer incentives – Free trials, discounts, or bonus features for early adopters.
Follow up with leads – Set up email sequences to re-engage hesitant visitors.

Conclusion

Building a side project is a marathon, not a sprint. In 2026, the biggest challenge isn't coding—it's getting attention. By understanding your user funnel, setting up the right tools, and continuously optimizing your metrics, you can turn a cheap side project into a product that attracts and retains paying users.

Start with a plan: define your audience, design your touch points, and measure everything. Then, iterate. Your coffee-fueled passion project deserves to be seen—now go make it happen.

via FreeCodeCamp