designcode.io

How Meng Built a $1M/Year Design Education Business

Founded By

Meng To

Monthly Revenue

$83.3K

Founders

Employees

14 (est.)

Profitable

Yes

Year Started

2015

Customer

B2B & B2C

Founded By
Meng To: Monthly Revenue
$83.3K: Founders
1

Employees
14 (est.): Profitable
Yes: Year Started
2015

Customer
B2B & B2C

Who is Meng To?

Meng To is a designer and coder from Singapore who founded Design+Code after gaining diverse experience working globally, drawing inspiration from his travels and passion for technology.

Meng To at Work

What problem does designcode.io solve?

Designcode.io helps people easily learn how to design and code apps, simplifying complex concepts into practical lessons for those wanting to create professional-grade software without formal training.

Designcode.io Homepage

How did Meng come up with the idea for designcode.io?

The journey behind designcode.io began with the founder's extensive experience as a designer and coder, traveling around the world while honing his skills. He noticed a gap in accessible resources for learning design and code, which pushed him to share his expertise through a book. This need was further validated by his blog's popularity among those interested in iOS development.

Facing the challenge of finding a sustainable path after his visa denial, he decided to turn the crisis into an opportunity by betting on creating educational content. Through constant feedback and community engagement, he continued refining the idea from a book into a comprehensive online platform. The lesson here was clear: sometimes unexpected setbacks can fuel innovation, and consistently iterating based on real user feedback can sharpen your vision.

How did Meng To build the initial version of designcode.io?

Designcode.io was built with a keen focus on high-quality design and effective collaboration using tools like Figma for creating intuitive interfaces and Notion for project management. The development process involved a transition from Sketch to Figma and expanding the technical stack from solely iOS to incorporating React and SwiftUI, enabling the creation of robust, cross-platform educational content. The team of 14 worked remotely, utilizing GitHub, VSCode, and Xcode as the primary tools for development. The initial phases required continuous iteration, balancing speed with quality, and overcoming challenges such as adapting to new frameworks and maintaining product harmony. Building the first version was a seamless blend of design and coding, inspired by great product experiences from companies like Apple and Stripe, although the journey was marked by adjustments to constantly evolve technology.

What was the growth strategy for designcode.io and how did they scale?

Twitter

Designcode.io effectively used Twitter for growth by consistently engaging with their audience. They used the platform to share updates about their courses, interact with learners, and gather feedback. This not only helped in attracting new users but also in maintaining a relationship with existing ones.

embed:tweet

Why it worked: Twitter allowed them to directly communicate with their audience, creating a sense of community and engagement. It also helped in building a brand presence and reaching potential customers through word of mouth and retweets.

Email Marketing

The company utilized email marketing to reach their users with regular updates and promotional content. By sending newsletters, they kept their audience informed about new courses and tutorials, encouraging them to revisit the platform.

Why it worked: Email marketing is a powerful tool for customer retention. It ensures that existing customers stay updated on new offerings, thereby increasing repeat visitors to the site. Personalized and informative content via email can also drive conversions and sales effectively.

Product Hunt

Designcode.io leveraged Product Hunt as a distribution channel to launch new courses and updates. By doing so, they tapped into a community of tech enthusiasts and early adopters who are always on the lookout for innovative products.

Why it worked: Product Hunt provided a platform with a ready audience interested in design and development tools, aligning perfectly with their target demographic. Successful launches on Product Hunt can lead to significant immediate traffic and wider exposure in relevant circles.

They focused on building social proof by consistently sharing testimonials and feedback from their users across various platforms. This included showcasing success stories and positive reviews.

Why it worked: Social proof builds trust and credibility, important factors that influence potential customers' decisions to purchase or engage with a product. By highlighting satisfied users, designcode.io was able to enhance their reputation and attract new customers looking for validated and effective learning resources.

What's the pricing strategy for designcode.io?

Design+Code offers a single pricing plan at $12 per month or $99 annually, providing full access to all design and development courses, with occasional free video tutorials available on their site.

Designcode.io Pricing

What were the biggest lessons learned from building designcode.io?

Embrace Feedback Channels: Designcode.io demonstrated the power of leveraging multiple feedback channels like user analytics and community platforms to continuously improve their products. By iterating based on diverse inputs, they maintained relevance and user focus.
Nurture a Flexible Team: Maintaining a small, adaptable team allowed Designcode.io to manage costs and foster growth among team members. They prioritized harmony and speed over hiring the "best," creating a cohesive work environment.
Evolve with Technology: The switch from Sketch to Figma and incorporating React + SwiftUI show the importance of evolving with industry tools and trends. Staying agile allowed them to enhance their product without getting stuck in outdated methodologies.
Balance Speed and Quality: The team at Designcode.io learned to carefully select between speed and quality based on project needs, highlighting the importance of strategic decision-making in delivering optimal results.
Stay Product-Driven, Not Money-Driven: Focusing on building good products over chasing profits ensured sustainability and innovation, helping Designcode.io stay committed to their mission and create genuine value for users.

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