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Show HN: Typeform was too expensive so I built my own forms

(www.ikiform.com)
183 points preetsuthar17 | 4 comments | 10 Jul 25 09:02 UTC | HN request time: 0.674s | source

Hey HN,

I'm a solopreneur and run a web design agency.

I create open-source apps, but I also work as a freelancer and designer. I was accepting any new freelance project via forms on my agency website.

I was using Typeform, but as time went by and more people submitted forms, it got more and more expensive. That time, I thought to use Google Form, but it was way too blocky and looked very unprofessional on my agency website.

So I thought to build my own forms for my own usage, and it turns out it almost doubled form submissions and inquiry calls.

I was happy, so I thought to build it for everyone and make it open-source.

I added AI functionalities using Vercel AISDK. I can generate forms almost instantly using AI and also added analytics AI so that users can talk with their forms—more like talk with their analytics data.

I've been building this publicly, sharing updates on my X account (preetsuthar17)

I hope this product will be as helpful to you as it was for me. Would love your feedback pls

Preet

Show context
tudorizer ◴[10 Jul 25 10:56 UTC] No.44519578[source]▶
The one-time price is interesting.

If the platform goes away in 1 year, it essenetially becomes 39$/year.

Any plans on how you'd make this a longer lasting product?

replies(1): >>44519601 #
1. preetsuthar17 ◴[10 Jul 25 11:00 UTC] No.44519601[source]▶
I'm still brainstorming new, unique features. As a solo developer and student, it's challenging to dedicate more time to projects

with a positive response, I'm willing to work full-time on this project

replies(3): >>44520196 #>>44521771 #>>44522330 #
2. chrismorgan ◴[10 Jul 25 12:24 UTC] No.44520196[source]▶
It’s a well-explored space with oodles of competition. “New, unique features” are likely to be unique for a reason (to speak plainly: because they’re bad or because no one paying wants them).
3. vidyesh ◴[10 Jul 25 14:52 UTC] No.44521771[source]▶
There is a reason why almost all ERP apps end up being almost the same. When you build a product with a USP that makes you special, at some point your client will ask for all the basic things that are required for that product (provided by your competitors) and generally for businesses this becomes the reason to stay with you; your USP and you providing everything else that is expected from the product category.

The point is, you have defined your USP. Its cheaper Typeform alternative for SMBs, stick with it and build the product around it and meet all the basic requirements first. Do some research and find out which features a typical form builder wants or which Typeform features are most used. Have those ready and then work on the other fancy things.

And have a number in mind, after X number of clients increase your price. And seriously increase your price now.

4. sosborn ◴[10 Jul 25 15:49 UTC] No.44522330[source]▶
As a heavy user of Formsite, these would be the features I would prioritize:

- Logic branching (if question 1 answer is 'A', then hide question 2. etc) - Confirmation emails to the submitter - Widgets to insert design elements (static text, images, etc)

IMO, these are bare minimum for B2B business if you are interested in pursuing that.

Having said that, this is a great start.