In this post, I’ll share my experiences launching My Spare Desk, a marketplace MVP for renting out spare desks and turning your home into a co-working space. This launch process took place across multiple platforms, each providing different insights and feedback opportunities.

Choosing Launch Platforms

I launched My Spare Desk on WhatsApp, Facebook, Reddit, and Hacker News. Each platform has its advantages and challenges, so let’s break down what I learned from each one.

• WhatsApp. Launching on WhatsApp is straightforward if you have a strong network, but honest feedback can be scarce since people close to you may hesitate to critique your product.

• Facebook. Facebook groups can give you some visibility, but feedback here is also usually limited. Members may like or upvote your post, but few provide constructive criticism.

• Reddit. Reddit can be a goldmine for feedback because users tend to be more candid. However, always ask moderators if posting is allowed in the chosen subreddit to avoid post removal.

• Hacker News. Launching on Hacker News is valuable if you post in the “Show HN” section with “Show HN:” in the title. This approach can increase visibility and draw more relevant viewers to your post.

The goal of an MVP launch is to gather quick feedback and iterate on it. Don’t worry about it being perfect; instead, focus on getting it in front of users and learning from their responses.

Consider Speed Build Marketplace

If you’re thinking about building an online marketplace, check out the Speed Build Marketplace boilerplate. It’s a NextJS starter that gives you the essential tools to launch quickly, from managing listings to handling payments.