Developer Launches Open-Source Project to Near-Zero Users, Reflects on Startup Silence

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An independent developer named Puneet built and publicly launched a web project called Rizzzler with minimal budget, open-sourcing the code to build user trust. Despite spending significant time refining the UI, adding features, and optimizing the experience, only seven users signed up after launch. Writing on DEV Community, he noted that the hardest challenge was not the technical work but the lack of traction following release. He emphasized that building a quality product does not automatically attract users — a reality he says few resources prepare developers for. Seeking honest feedback rather than sympathy, he called on fellow developers who have faced similar post-launch silence to share what they feel is missing from his product.

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