Developers are different:
- They are really smart.
- They want to learn things.
- They want results, quick results.
- They want useful content.
- They want to see/play with the product first.
- They don't spend money unless there is obvious value.
They hate things:
- They don't want popups.
- They don't want ads.
- They don't want blog spam.
- They don't like marketing.
Everything must be clear and truthful. Authentic.
Give!
Focus on giving them things that help.
- Engage their curiosity.
- Help them learn, quickly.
- Help them get results.
- Show them results are possible and real.
Show code and code output, shows that code works.
Use landing pages instead of popups.
No obvious ads.
Treat the API as a product.
Show how to use all of it. Typical case, edge case, etc.
There are different types of devs and they have different problems, for example:
- Code snippets might be for junior developers.
- Case studies might be for senior developers.
Older developers may need a book. Younger developers may need a video.
Other ideas:
- Developers like a very fast website
- Developers hate popups
- Developers hate modal
- Developers hate ads
- Developers like clean and simple design
- Developers like free things, even with an email
- Developers are curious
- Developers want working code
- Developers need proof that code works
- Developers need proof that other people are buying/using/are around
- Developers mostly ignore the sidebar
- Developers click links in content, e.g. in-content ads
- Developers are lazy
- Developers will copy paste code from a tutorial
- Developers don't read tutorials (but google does)
- Developers want to learn from an expert
- Developers don't like gated content
- Developers don't like being contacted
No one wants to follow a company.
We want to get help from real people that have verifiable experience.