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How to Learn from Failure and Rise from Defeat to Build a Leading Web3 Application with Zero Resources and Zero Support！
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How to Learn from Failure and Rise from Defeat to Build a Leading Web3 Application with Zero Resources and Zero Support！
How to Learn from Failure and Rise from Defeat to Build a Leading Web3 Application with Zero Resources and Zero Support！
用户3000用户30002024年8月21日修改
Planting the Seed of Independent Development
Since last year, with the rise of large AI models, I have seen an increasing number of AI products and tools emerging online like mushrooms after rain. Alongside beautifully crafted products developed by teams, I noticed many AI products created by independent developers. As a seasoned coder, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, thinking, “If others can create independent products, surely I can too.” I decided to try developing a ChatGPT shell service, thinking it wouldn't be too difficult. However, since I only developed the backend, it remained a self-entertainment project.
Subsequently, I found myself browsing more independent development information and began to follow new internet products emerging online. My social media feeds gradually filled with various independent development-related posts and content. I saved interesting independent development content, automatically bookmarking them. Looking back, I realized that the seed of independent development had already been planted in my heart.
One day in the latter half of last year, as I settled into my workstation, I opened the OA platform as usual. What greeted me was a large red poster congratulating me on my 4th anniversary with the company, along with letters I had written to my future self from previous years. As I flipped through these brief and somewhat perfunctory letters—“Study hard, make progress every day,” “The future is promising,” “Stay true to your original intentions”—I couldn't help but reflect deeply. Over the past few years, I have worked diligently and earned recognition from my colleagues and leaders. However, during the year-end reviews, looking back on the past year, it seemed like each day was a monotonous repetition. I had to rely on weekly reports to remember the highlights of my work over the past year. Once, I was a passionate young person dreaming of creating a groundbreaking product and leaving my mark. I don't know when I began to forget my dreams. But it's never too late to have dreams. I need to add some challenges to my ordinary life. I decided to start as an independent developer!
A Wake-Up Call: Lack of Commercial Awareness
My initial reaction was still to think about AI tools. However, after more than six months of development, AI tools had become ubiquitous. ChatGPT 3.5 had been upgraded to ChatGPT 4, and besides ChatGPT, other large models were continually emerging, such as Google’s Claude, Baidu’s Wenxin Yiyan, and the image generation model Midjourney. I realized that the evolution of large models had outpaced innovations at the application layer, and the barriers at the application level were becoming increasingly thin. It was no longer a good time to enter the independent AI tool market.
After careful consideration, I decided to focus on the Web3 field where I had an interest, and attempted to deeply explore Web3 user needs. After two months of searching, I finally found a potential user need: integrating cryptocurrency price data dashboards on the web version of Twitter.
I discovered that for cryptocurrency users, Twitter is a key platform for sharing and discussing opinions and tracking the latest developments in crypto projects. However, checking cryptocurrency price data (such as real-time trading prices, sentiment indicators, price volatility indicators, and fee data) required switching pages. Although there are many data aggregation platforms and dashboards in the crypto field, users couldn't easily and quickly view price data while browsing crypto information on Twitter. Thus, I decided to address this need by developing a Google Chrome extension that embeds a real-time cryptocurrency price data dashboard on the right sidebar of the web version of Twitter, with support for users to customize the types of data displayed on the dashboard and the notification methods for data changes (browser notifications, Telegram notifications, email notifications).
I spent two weeks excitedly completing the initial version of the Google Chrome extension:
Google browser plug-in 1
Google browser plug-in 2
1.
Users could search for and add preferred cryptocurrencies in the search box, toggle between spot prices and contract prices, with prices updating every second.
2.
Users could view cryptocurrency price volatility indicators and toggle between the gainers and losers lists.
3.
Users could access core funding rate data and investment yield data.
4.
Users could view core indicator data, including but not limited to: BTC positions, liquidity, fear and greed index, gold index, and US dollar index.
I named this browser extension Zenithtrade and released it on the Google Chrome Web Store. I invited friends from the crypto community to try and experience it, while also actively attempting to attract unfamiliar users. However, I faced difficulties in attracting new users:
1.
The extension's display space was limited, making it difficult to showcase in-depth data.
2.
The current product data sources were too few, making it challenging to meet users' diverse needs.
3.
Most cryptocurrency users had established habits for viewing price data, and without significant benefits from the new product, they lacked motivation to switch.
I attributed the difficulties in attracting new users to the product's immaturity and the need for further iteration with advanced features. With enthusiasm, I prepared to develop Zenithtrade 2.0. Just then, a "gray rhino" event occurred: a Chinese trader lost $1 million due to a scam involving a Google Chrome extension named Aggr. This extension would steal user cookies, allowing hackers to bypass exchange passwords and 2FA verification to directly transfer account funds.
This news hit like a thunderbolt. I knew that the trust in Google Chrome extensions among cryptocurrency users had been shattered. Although I did not steal user cookies and only attempted to access users' Google account login status for synchronizing preferred cryptocurrencies and customized dashboard indicators across devices, my product was associated with the crypto field. Despite quickly updating the extension version and discontinuing any use of user privacy data, users were now wary and reluctant to use my extension product.
The installation numbers stopped growing, and the uninstallation rate remained high. My Zenithtrade browser extension quickly faded away like a shooting star. 😭
A Ray of Hope: Meeting a Commercial Mentor
Reflecting on the entire cycle of independently developing the Zenithtrade browser extension, I realized I had made many common mistakes for newcomers in independent development:
1.
Imagining user needs and “fabricating” nonexistent target users.
2.
Failing to conduct comprehensive industry research and lacking analysis and contingency plans for gray rhino and black swan events.
Through the trial and error of Zenithtrade, I gradually understood that my lack of industry experience, commercial logic, and business awareness led to misjudging opportunities and underestimating risks.
Upon recognizing these issues, I decided to adjust my approach. Instead of rushing to find new opportunities, I began to immerse myself in the Web3 field that I was interested in, focusing on gaining experience and insights. I started systematically learning about Web3, including its rise from scratch, public chains, DeFi, NFTs, GameFi, DAOs, and SocialFi. I experienced the rich crypto culture and entered the DeFi space as a small KOL, learning and sharing while building personal influence.
During this process, I met my commercial mentor, Kai, a prominent figure in the domestic Web3 field with years of deep expertise and influence. Under Kai’s guidance, I began developing a commercial monetization empowerment product for Web3 KOLs: CryptoZenith. This product aims to address their challenges in building personal communication, influence, and monetization capabilities, specifically targeting pain points.
CryptoZenith serves the niche group of small to medium Web3 KOLs who have a pressing need for monetization through commission, project/coin recommendations, and managing/promoting Discord communities. It offers differentiated, in-depth solutions tailored to this segment and provides customized services to enhance their monetization efficiency. Currently, no similar products exist on the market, making it a worthwhile attempt.
Kai repeatedly emphasized that opportunities cannot be imagined in a vacuum. Products should be designed based on a closed-loop business logic and should quickly develop an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for market validation and feedback. Adjustments and optimizations should be made promptly, iterating repeatedly until the product truly meets the needs of target users and solves their problems.
First Major Challenge: Frontend Technical Shortcomings