OpenQR Progress Update: Lessons Learned and Plans for the New Year
It’s been a little over a month since I last shared an update about OpenQR.io, my solo project for generating custom-branded QR codes. The past few weeks have been a mix of development, holiday downtime, and testing the waters to learn more about user behavior. Here’s a breakdown of what’s been happening and some takeaways that might help other indie hackers.
Progress on New QR Code Features
One of my main focuses recently has been expanding the types of QR codes OpenQR offers. While working on the platform, I realized that diversity in functionality could set the project apart. I’ve been developing new QR code types, with a particular focus on a business card QR code type that allows users to easily share contact information.
This feature is still in the works, but the goal is to make it user-friendly and customizable, aligning with the platform’s mission of providing branded and practical solutions.
Takeaway: If you’re building a product, think about what adds real value to your users. For me, the business card QR code felt like a natural next step because it solves a real-world problem - making networking easier.
Holiday Downtime and Traffic Stability
The holiday season, including Christmas and New Year’s, wasn’t the most productive time for me. Like many indie hackers, I juggled personal time with occasional work bursts. During this period, I didn’t focus much on growth initiatives, but I kept an eye on website traffic.
Interestingly, traffic remained stable. There was no significant increase or drop, even during major events like Black Friday and Christmas. I deliberately didn’t run additional promotions during these times as a small test. I wanted to see if users would naturally flock to the site during these high-traffic periods, especially since QR codes are often used in holiday campaigns.
Lesson Learned: Organic traffic alone isn’t enough to drive growth during key events. If you want to make the most of these opportunities, you need to actively promote your product - whether through ads, collaborations, or social media campaigns.
Planning for the New Year
Now that the new year is here, my priority is to finalize and deploy the updates I’ve been working on, including the new QR code types. I’m also planning to experiment with running ads to drive traffic and test their effectiveness. This will be my first real step into paid marketing for OpenQR, and I’m optimistic about learning what works (and what doesn’t).
Advice for Indie Hackers: If you’re entering a new phase of growth, don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on one or two areas, test, and iterate. For me, that means improving the product first and then investing in advertising to attract more users.
Key Takeaways
Growth Takes Time: It’s okay to have periods where growth isn’t your main focus. Use that time to build and refine your product.
Test and Learn: My decision to not promote OpenQR during Black Friday and Christmas was intentional. It taught me that organic traffic has its limits and that I need to be more proactive with marketing efforts.
Start Small with Ads: If you’re considering paid ads, start with a small budget. It’s better to test the waters before diving in.
As an indie hacker, every step - big or small - feels like progress. I’m excited about what’s ahead for OpenQR in 2025, and I hope these reflections inspire you to keep pushing forward with your own projects.
If you have any questions, ideas, or want to share your own journey, feel free to reach out. Let’s learn and grow together!
What are your goals for the new year? Let me know in the comments!
