Building tech products like CLI tools, SaaS apps, or data platforms is tricky—you can have awesome code, but if users don’t get it, they’re gone. I’ve spent 16+ years at places like RudderStack and GoalSmacker figuring out how to make these products stick with people. Ever wonder why some tools take off while others flop, even with great tech? It’s about keeping it simple and useful. Here’s an easy guide to build technical products users love, based on what I’ve seen work.
The Problem: Where Technical Products Stumble
Technical products can trip over themselves fast. A CLI that’s hard to figure out frustrates developers—they’ll ditch it. A SaaS app that loads slow loses customers who won’t wait. Data tools that spit out confusing results? Users won’t bother. Startups need people to use their stuff, not just admire the tech. If a CLI won’t install right, or a SaaS feels laggy, or data’s a mess, it’s game over—no matter how smart it is.
What to Do: 5 Steps to User-Friendly Technical Products
- Start with the User, Not the Code
- Why: Tech’s only good if people use it—build what solves their headaches, not just what’s neat.
- How: Chat with users early—ask “What’s tough for you?”—then shape the product around that. Test it yourself like they would to catch what’s off.
- Example: At GoalSmacker, doctors told us crowded clinics were a problem—GliderQMS’s token system came from that, not some tech idea. It hit #1 on Play Store because it fixed a real issue.
2. Keep CLI Simple and Helpful
- Why: Developers love CLI tools, but if they’re a pain to use, they’re out—make it quick and clear.
- How: Use short, easy commands. Add a “–help” option, and test it on Linux, Mac, and Windows to spot glitches. Make errors pop up clear so users aren’t lost.
- Example: At RudderStack, I checked our CLI on every system for 40+ releases—users kept it because it worked smooth and didn’t leave them guessing.
3. Speed Up SaaS with Smart Checks
- Why: Nobody sticks with a slow SaaS—every second they wait, you’re losing them.
- How: Look at API calls or queries—cut out extras that drag it down. Test it like a user on a spotty Wi-Fi day to feel the lag.
- Example: At RudderStack, a 30-second delay dropped to seconds after I found an API grabbing too much—users noticed the boost right away.
4. Make Data Easy to Store and Use
- Why: Data’s no help if it’s hard to save or pull up—users want it fast and simple, not a headache.
- How: Keep your database tuned up—optimize it so it runs quick, and organize it smart (like normalizing) to cut out repeats. Test storing and grabbing data to make sure it’s smooth, and keep outputs clear on screens or reports.
- Example: At RudderStack, I set up test data for warehouses like Snowflake and BigQuery across 40+ releases—keeping it fast and tidy meant users got clean answers without digging.
5. Ship Often, Fix Fast
- Why: Technical products get better with use—waiting for perfect means falling behind.
- How: Push out updates in short bursts—like 1-2 weeks—listen to what users say, and fix things quick. Small steps with a plan keep it moving.
- Example: At GoalSmacker, 20+ GliderQMS releases with 35% faster work cycles got us to #1—steady updates beat waiting around.
The Payoff: Products That Stick
Get this right, and users won’t let go. Your CLI becomes the tool developers rave about. Your SaaS keeps people signing up because it’s snappy. Your data setup helps them make smart calls without a fuss. At RudderStack, solid releases brought in big money through demos—users stayed hooked. At GoalSmacker, GliderQMS saved lives during COVID and topped the charts—people loved it because it worked for them. Build what they need, and they’ll grow your startup for you.
Takeaway: Technical Doesn’t Mean Complicated
Making great technical products isn’t about piling on tech—it’s about listening, keeping it easy, and getting it out there. Start with one idea—maybe ask a user what they think or test your CLI—and see how it feels. I’ve been at this for 16+ years, getting 60+ releases out the door at RudderStack and GoalSmacker. It’s worked for me—messy at first, then smooth sailing. Got a product you want to shape? Write a comment or message me —happy to talk it over.
Yaju Arya Dot Com 