Don't build random features.

TLDR:

Don’t build random features. Build what users ask for. It makes the product better and people notice.

Why?

If you build “just because,” you might be solving a problem no one really has.

But if users ask for it, it means it matters to them, and likely to others too.

My example with Cozy Watch:
My first menu bar was super simple. Just text, and a green/red/yellow icon for approved, rejected or commented.
For me, it was enough.

However after my first 5 users, one of them suggested the menu bar could show more details.
He even sent me an example from another app.

And honestly, I was blown away.
First, because I didn’t even know there were other apps doing something similar.
I was new to this indie dev thing — I didn’t do any research, I just built it.

So I checked that product, then more competition, and even found out Linear had something built into their system.
Which is cool because Linear is huge.
Downside: to use it like Cozy Watch, you need the whole Linear ecosystem. Not ideal if you already use other tools.

Anyway, I listened to the user, wrote everything down, and started building the improved version.

After those features went live, more users started paying attention.
And honestly, the app became way better.

Maybe it’s coincidence, maybe not, but before those features I had 8 sales.
Now I’m at 28.
Not a lot, but enough to show there’s interest.

Focus on what matters, from the people who matter: the customer.

Best,
Tiago