One of the most valuable habits I've cultivated is taking a pause every 2 week to reflect on my growth journey - something that I've been doing since my first career as a software engineer. This ritual isn't just about celebrating the wins—although those moments are certainly sweet—but also about understanding the intricate dance of strategies, numbers, and lessons that propel me forward.
Why Reflection Matters
Before diving into the specifics of my latest sprint review, let me clarify why I believe this practice is critical. Reflection serves as a mirror, offering a reality check on what’s working and what’s not. It keeps me grounded, fosters continuous improvement, and allows me to share real insights that might just help others on a similar path.
Actual Numbers
Transparency is key, so let's dive into some actual numbers from my recent sprint focused on improving SEO for my SaaS platform.
Organic Traffic Growth: Has steadily climbed from a meager 3-4 users/day to an encouraging 46 users/day. This isn't just a win; it's a testament to the power of consistent effort and strategic adjustments.
Domain Rating: Increased from DR54 to DR57. This leap not only boosts our credibility but also opens new doors for forming valuable partnerships.
Conversion Rates: Still a work in progress. While traffic and engagement have increased, converting that interest into paying customers remains a challenge.
Strategies That Might Be Working
1. Optimized Landing PagesOne major shift was revamping our landing pages to follow a clearer, more resonant format inspired by YC. Instead of laden corporate jargon, we switched to straightforward, compelling messages aimed at quickly building rapport with the audience. The results? Immediate and impactful.
2. Targeted Outbound Campaigns
Utilizing Smartlead, we launched targeted outbound campaigns focusing on web development agencies and Next.js site owners. Initially a cautious experiment, the click-through rates have been promising. This confirmed that a well-defined target audience coupled with strategic outreach can yield significant engagement.
3. SEO EnhancementsA big win has been prioritizing content relevancy in our search algorithms. Instead of presenting results based solely on timing, we now prioritize by relevancy. This small yet significant change has improved user experience and engagement considerably.
What Didn’t Work
1. Outbound Campaign Screw UpsThe initial days of our outbound campaigns didn’t bring immediate results and had a lit of misses. Initially I thought targetting web development agencies would work, but most of the time it's landing in the inbox of an agency based out of India who can't read and do not have the budget for my products anyway. I'm still narrowing the campaign lists to figure what would work best here.
Ongoing and Upcoming Efforts
Reflecting on what’s next, I’m doubling down on a few key areas. First, I want to enhance our blog by integrating a table of contents for better readability and navigation. I also plan to update our master keyword list to ensure we’re aligned with current SEO trends.
Another interesting thread is exploring AI-generated content. While the personal touch in blogging is irreplaceable, there’s merit in supplementing this with high-value, AI-generated pieces, particularly for more factual, keyword-driven articles.
Final Thoughts
Reflection isn't just a practice; it's a strategic tool. By examining what works and what doesn't, I’m able to navigate the complexities of growing a SaaS platform more effectively. My hope is that sharing these reflections can help others on their journey—whether it's reaffirming a strategy you've considered or helping you avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made.
Growth is a never-ending journey filled with its fair share of trials and triumphs. But with every step, every reflection, and every shared insight, we all get a little better, a little wiser.
If you prefer to watch the near 40-min video of the full walkthrough, it's available on Wisp's build-in-public YT channel:
