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- A Basic URL-Shortener Making $1,000 MRR
A Basic URL-Shortener Making $1,000 MRR
A Basic URL-Shortener Making $1,000 MRR
What is the business and who’s behind it?
URLR is a URL shortening service that evolved from a basic URL shortener into a now profitable SaaS run by a solo founder.
The mastermind behind this venture is Hugo Posnic, a talented 24-year-old French developer with a passion for web development and open-source projects.
Hugo's journey is a testament to his ingenuity and determination in transforming a simple concept into a thriving online platform.
How was the business started?
URLR's story began in May 2019 when Hugo, with a background in web development, embarked on a side project.
According to Hugo, he wanted to create a web-based service that could serve as both a learning opportunity and an additional income source while working a full-time developer job. This project became URLR, a URL shortener, initially developed in PHP without any framework.
Despite its simplicity, Hugo had some clear goals in mind when launching URLR:
Learn how to maintain and improve a website.
Enhance his SEO skills.
Outperform the #1-ranked URL shortener in France (urlz).
Generate revenue through advertisements.
As Hugo worked towards these goals, he made strategic improvements to his website. By adding more content to the homepage and securing backlinks, he improved his site's SEO, gradually climbing the ranks in search engine results. Eventually, he claimed the top spot for the "URL shortener" query in France.
In March 2020, Hugo rewrote the URLR application using Symfony and began adding valuable features to cater to the growing number of users. The inclusion of features like user accounts, link management, link protection, and expiration dates led to a significant increase in signups and traffic.
Hugo's first encounter with monetization was through Google AdSense, which brought in roughly 100€ per month. However, the sustainability of this income source was marred by issues of fraudulent clicks from some users.
What are some of the marketing strategies used?
Recognizing the limitations of ad-based revenue and the need for a more stable and scalable business model, Hugo shifted URLR's direction in April 2021.
He introduced subscription plans with Stripe to transform URLR into a genuine SaaS platform, offering plans such as Free, Premium (5€/month), Professional (15€/month), and Enterprise (50€/month). The introduction of subscription plans led to his first paying customer in April 2021, and this model soon proved its potential.
To strengthen the business, Hugo brought in Nathan Seva, a childhood friend and skilled developer. Nathan's expertise in infrastructure and backend development allowed the platform to handle the increasing demands more efficiently.
The introduction of new features, such as CSV import for mass link reduction, catered to customer needs and further fueled URLR's growth.
URLR's growth is not just about technology; it is also about customer-centric practices. The platform has thrived because of:
A strong GDPR policy with data hosted in France, ensuring data privacy.
Ultra-responsive customer support, with an average response time of less than one minute.
Regular updates and features built around customer feedback.
Competitive pricing.
A straightforward and user-friendly approach.
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How does the business make money?
URLR's primary source of revenue now comes from its subscription plans. With multiple pricing tiers and valuable features like an API, team collaboration, and higher link reduction limits, customers are willing to pay for these services. The subscription plans, such as Professional and Enterprise, offer users more advanced functionality, allowing them to integrate URLR seamlessly into their workflows.
This shift from ad-based revenue to subscription models has not only increased the platform's stability but has also demonstrated significant scalability. As of July 2022, URLR's Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) stood at an impressive 615€, indicating a successful transformation from a basic URL shortener into a profitable SaaS platform.
In the future, Hugo's goals include expanding the platform's reach beyond France, highlighting the benefits of custom short domains, and continually improving the service to increase customer value and grow MRR even further. Hugo has also embarked on a journey to share his progress publicly, engage with new users, and seek feedback on his Twitter account.
URLR's evolution from a simple side project to a thriving SaaS business is a testament to the power of innovation, adaptability, and dedication. Hugo Posnic's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and developers looking to turn their passion into a profitable venture.
Where can we go to learn more about this business?
Here are some links you can learn more about Alex and his business: