Why Most Side Projects Fail — and How to Build One Like a Real Product

Most side projects start the same way.

You get excited about a new framework, spin up a GitHub repo, and build through a weekend. It feels productive — tech stack decided, project initialized, maybe even a beautiful README.

Two weeks later the momentum disappears. And the promising idea quietly ends up in the “archive” folder.

Sound familiar?

Most developers (including myself) have been through this cycle. And in my experience, the difference between abandoned and shipped side projects isn’t the idea, the amount of free time, or even the technology.

It’s the decision to treat a side project like a real product.

1. Start With a Problem — Not a Stack

“I want to try out Svelte with a Rust backend” is exciting… for a few days.
But if it’s not solving a real problem, the motivation fades as soon as life gets busy.

A clear problem gives your project direction and staying power. Before writing a single line of code, ask:
What pain am I solving?
For whom?

2. Build the Smallest Lovable Product

Most side projects die from scope creep.

A simple idea suddenly needs authentication, email notifications, dashboards, and analytics — and the project collapses under its own weight.

Instead, focus on building the Smallest Lovable Product (SLP) — the minimal set of features that actually delivers value (and that someone could enjoy using).

Define it. Write it down. Use it as a scope filter.

3. Use a Real Product Workflow

Just because you’re a team of one doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have structure.

Use a lightweight workflow:

• Simple roadmap (Notion / Trello / GitHub Projects)
• Small weekly goals
• Clear definition of done

Treat it like a real product, and it will move like one.

4. Get Feedback Early (Before It’s Perfect)

Building in isolation is one of the fastest ways to waste time.

Share early versions. Post mockups or prototypes in developer communities. Send it to a couple of friends.

Early feedback often simplifies your product and saves weeks of development time.

5. Don’t OverEngineer the First Version

You don’t need a clean architecture and full test suite on day one.

Use boring, proven tech.
Refactor when there’s actually something worth refactoring.
Add tests when the core functionality is stable.

Save the engineering elegance for when the product has traction.

6. Launch (Even If You’re Not 100% Ready)

At some point, you have to ship.

Yes, it will feel uncomfortable — that’s normal.
 Launch anyway. Publicly releasing creates accountability and invites real feedback.

Launch can be small:

• A Tweet
• A Reddit post
• A quick message in a tech Discord

What matters is that it’s real and public.

7. Know When to Let It Go

Not every side project needs to live forever.

If the problem is no longer relevant, or there’s no genuine traction — let it go.
Closing a project isn’t failure. It’s clarity.

The lessons feed into the next build.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need more time or better ideas.
 You need structure, purpose, and willingness to launch before it feels “ready”.

Treat your next side project like a legitimate product — and it’ll have a much better chance of becoming one.