I launched a URL shortener where everything is free — here's why

I’m chukoizkie, a self-taught developer. I call myself “the broke coder who wants to be” because I’m figuring this out in public, one project at a time. My first project is xlip.uk, a TinyURL competitor where all the premium features are free at registration. No paywall. Donations only. Why give everything away? It sounds like a terrible business plan, right? But here’s my logic: I need people to know my name before I can charge them anything. xlip.uk is how I earn that trust. Every person who registers is a future customer for whatever I build next. The reality check Is it working? Zero users so far if I don't count my friends and relatives. But I just launched, and I’m documenting everything here. I’m not pretending to have it all figured out. This is me learning in real time, sharing the wins and losses as they happen. What’s next Keep refining xlip.uk based on feedback. Share the journey openly so other self-taught devs see what’s possible. Build credibility one project at a time.