💾 How to Build a Text-Chart Tool
Exploring the tech behind ProductHunt's fav text-chart tool
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Let’s face it, software ate the world. That’s why we are bringing you a new series where builders break down their products and share how they’re made.
In today’s edition, Dan Mindru joins PeerPulse Dispatch to talk about his product MRRArt.
Transitioning from a consulting career to the world of product creation in just seven months, Dan introduced MRRArt, a data-to-text, SVG, and Unicode text-chart tool. It's a lovable product that brings text-charts to various platforms such as websites, social media, and terminal applications.
Before we jump into it - Dan has generously shared a 60% discount for our readers on the lifetime premium of MRRArt - just use code PEERPULSE at checkout!
MRRArt Is Product of the Day 😻
In just one month, MRRArt experienced growth, promoted its product, and achieved a significant feat - winning "Product of the Day" on Product Hunt. This recognition drew 550 fans who expressed their joy and ideas, leading to many interactive comments. To acknowledge the support, Dan created text-based charts for several comments, enhancing the user experience.
Even with many chart-making tools available, MRRArt resonated with its specific audience due to its unique, nostalgic, and easy-to-use design.
The Tech Behind MRRArt
MRRArt's system is built on Supabase, a strong Postgres database with added authentication. The frontend is designed with Next.js, which integrates well with cloud services, improving its connection with Supabase. Lemon Squeezy handles payment transactions. The interface's retro look is achieved through the combined use of Tailwind CSS and Material UI.
Development Challenges
Creating MRRArt came with hurdles. The biggest challenge was making it compatible with various platforms and environments. This involved understanding complex aspects like character sets, Unicode representations, and color palettes. However, Dan's expertise in using tools like Supabase and Next.js was beneficial, leading to a largely smooth development process.
Building a Resilient Product
Focused on simplicity, Dan wanted MRRArt to be largely self-reliant with minimal third-party API integrations. This minimized approach has made the product resilient to downtimes. Routine health checks are maintained by Crontap, another of Dan's creations. And with Supabase's reliability, the risk of downtimes is reduced further.
Engagement and Feedback Management
Prioritizing user engagement, Dan believes in proactive client support. He contemplates integrating a chat feature to offer real-time assistance. Moreover, to optimize efficiency, non-urgent feature requests are grouped and tackled in dedicated sessions.
When it comes to requests and feedback, Dan has a discerning approach. While he is open to suggestions, he remains committed to his vision for MRRArt – a straightforward, user-centric tool.
Adding Layers to MRRArt
Dan's innovative approach led to the introduction of SVG exports for charts, allowing users to transform them into vector graphics for platforms like Figma, Illustrator, and Sketch. This was one of the biggest challenges for the product as converting Unicode to SVG was not technically straightforward. It was very difficult because you need a font that has all the characters that you support. And then you would need to essentially convert all the text to vector paths. But now that problem is solved!
Ensuring Quality and Future Plans
Quality is a non-negotiable factor for Dan. He relies on unit tests to ensure core functionality and takes a user-centric approach to uncover potential flaws. Looking ahead, Dan has grand plans for MRRArt. Many users have expressed interest in an API or library for integration. Recognizing this, Dan is considering the development of an open-source library core. Coupled with feedback-driven features like chart sharing and embedding, the future trajectory of MRRArt looks promising, especially with platforms like Product Hunt amplifying its visibility.
Dan's journey with MRRArt is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and user-centric design. As he continues to innovate and adapt, the tech community eagerly awaits his next move.
Dan built his product in public and documented it live - so check out his tweets!
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