Why Most Side Projects Fail (and How to Avoid It)

For every indie hacker who shares a success story, there are dozens whose side projects never get off the ground. If you've ever started building something only to abandon it months later, you're not alone. Most side projects fail—not because of technical difficulties, but because of business fundamentals.

In this article, we'll look at the five most common reasons side projects fail and practical steps you can take to avoid making the same mistakes.

1. No Traffic or Audience

The number one killer of side projects is simple: nobody finds them. You can build the most polished app in the world, but if you don't have traffic, you don't have users—and without users, you don't have feedback or revenue.

• How to avoid this: Start building an audience before you launch. Share your progress on Twitter/X, Indie Hackers, or dev communities.
• Focus on SEO-friendly content or a newsletter that attracts organic visitors.
• Use free distribution channels (Reddit, Product Hunt, dev forums) to test demand.

2. Lack of Persistence

Many projects die not because they lack potential, but because the creator gives up too soon. Indie hacking has a long feedback loop: it often takes months to see traction.

• How to avoid this: Commit to a realistic timeline (six months minimum before deciding to quit).
• Track progress in small wins: new signups, better SEO ranking, improved retention.
• Treat your side project like a marathon, not a sprint.

3. No Clear Monetization Strategy

A common indie hacker mistake is assuming that "users will pay later." Without a clear business model, side projects either grow without revenue or stall at the first monetization attempt.

• How to avoid this: Decide upfront how you'll monetize: ads, subscriptions, one-time purchases, or affiliate links.
• Validate that your target audience is willing to pay for the solution.
• Test pricing early with a simple checkout (Stripe, Gumroad) to measure demand.

4. Building in a Saturated or Tiny Market

Some projects fail because they're solving problems that are either already dominated by large players or too niche to ever grow. Both extremes make it hard to reach sustainable revenue.

• How to avoid this: Research the market size before coding.
• Identify underserved sub-niches instead of competing directly with giants.
• Look for problems you personally experience—chances are others do too.

5. Spreading Too Thin

Many indie hackers juggle multiple projects at once, hoping one will succeed. In reality, spreading attention across too many ideas prevents any single one from reaching critical mass.

• How to avoid this: Pick one project and commit to it until it either succeeds or clearly fails.
• Apply the "kill or double down" rule every few months: either shut it down or increase investment.
• Remember that traction often comes from relentless focus, not side-hustle multitasking.

Final Thoughts

Most side projects fail because they lack traffic, persistence, monetization clarity, or focus—not because the founder wasn't "good enough." The truth is that success as an indie hacker requires both technical skills and business discipline.

If you want your project to beat the odds, focus early on audience building, persistence, and monetization. With a clear strategy and enough patience, your side project has a much higher chance of becoming your next success story.

With Indie10k you can track your side projects, set clear missions, and stay accountable alongside a community of fellow indie founders. Don't just build—build with purpose and persistence.