Ask HN: Would you soft-launch a landing page in 2025?

[CER10TY]

Given the state of vibe coding and how easy it is to scaffold a working web app in 2025 (assuming you've got the technical experience and don't just rely on Lovable), do you think soft-launching a landing page to gauge interest is enough in 2025 or do users expect a fully working app from day 0?

[nreece]

Landing pages can still save time to validate an idea/concept, build a leads list, and with cold outreach even.

Dev tools or B2C: landing page (collect email) with app/product tour video or mockup screenshots

B2B: landing page with video or mockup screenshots, and 'book a demo' link/form (collect as much info)

[muzani]

Not a fully working app but it can't just be a page with screenshots and a waitlist anymore. Product Hunt is no longer about products; it's a ranking of ideas of products which can't do what's on the tin, so I wouldn't go there unless I was selling to product people.

[ishita159]

i'm very curious about this also.

[wh0sumit]

depends who you’re selling to.

for devs/builders, a landing page with real copy and rough roadmap is plenty, you’ll get feedback way before launch.

for consumers, though, everyone’s spoiled. if there’s no demo, no dogfooding, they bounce in 10 seconds.

tl;dr: test your copy/ideas with a page, but have a working click-thru demo asap if you want anyone outside your bubble to care.

no-code tools make it too easy for the next guy to show something.

[muzani]

As long as they're actually the right market and it's the right problem, they're usually happy to share feedback.

The problem with landing pages is it's not a feedback form, it funnels people into a waitlist, often without even fully explaining what it is meant to be. Most of the builder communities are too toxic positive and share support with no intention to buy.