System Design Interview Prep:
A Beginner's Roadmap

Master core concepts, components, and strategies to crack your next interview with confidence.

Introduction

So, you built a cool side project. Maybe it solves a tiny problem you had. Maybe it started out as a weekend hack. People are using it (even if it’s just your friends). You posted about it, got a few stars on GitHub, some upvotes on Reddit — and now you’re wondering:

“Could this be… something more?”

You’re not alone. Some of the biggest startups today — like Twitter, Notion, and even GitHub itself — started as side projects. But turning your idea into something real (and maybe even profitable) isn’t about luck. It’s about intention, validation, and momentum. 🧠💡

Let’s talk about how to go from hobby dev to startup founder — one small, achievable step at a time.

🧱 1. Start with the Why (Not Just the Code)

Side projects often begin with curiosity or boredom.

Startups begin with pain — not yours, but someone else’s.

Ask yourself:

What problem is my project solving?
Who feels this problem the most?
Are they already trying to solve it in some way?

👉 If your side project is “just for fun,” that’s totally fine. But if you’re thinking startup, you need to start seeing your app as a solution to a real-world pain point.

🔍 2. Validate Without Building (Yes, Really)

You don’t need to write more code right away. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Start validating your idea with zero or low-code strategies.

Here’s how:

Talk to potential users (friends, Twitter mutuals, LinkedIn folks).
Create a landing page (use Carrd or Framer).
Add a waitlist or survey form.
Share it on Reddit, Product Hunt, Discord servers.
Track clicks, signups, DMs, interest.

💬 If people say “cool project” — that’s nice.
🤑 If people ask “can I use it?” or “how much does it cost?” — that’s validation.

🧪 3. MVP ≠ Mini Version of the Full App

When turning your side project into a product, don’t try to make the whole vision in one go. Start with a Minimum Viable Product — but remember:

An MVP isn’t a smaller version of your dream app. It’s the smallest thing you can build that delivers value. 🎯

Example:

Idea: A new productivity app that manages tasks, habits, and meetings.
Bad MVP: Building all 3 features from scratch.
Good MVP: Just a habit tracker with calendar sync — tested with 20 people.

⚒ Build less, learn more.

🤝 4. Find Early Users Who Care

You don’t need 1000 users. You need 5 to 10 real users who genuinely care about what you’re building.

Look in:

Indie hacker communities
Twitter/X (search keywords, join spaces)
Subreddits related to your domain
Slack/Discord groups
College or coworking spaces

Offer to onboard them personally. Ask for feedback. Watch them use it. Don’t worry about scale just yet — worry about learning.

🔥 Real users are the best product testers, growth hackers, and feature guides.

🧠 5. Think Like a Founder (Not Just a Developer)

You’re not just writing code anymore — you’re solving problems. That means learning to:

Talk to users 👂
Market your product 📢
Handle support 🛠️
Ship fast and iterate 🌀

Your title might still be “solo developer,” but your hat collection now includes:

Product Manager 🎯
Customer Support Rep 💬
Salesperson 🧑‍💼
Growth Hacker 📈

And that’s okay. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.

💸 6. Make Your First Dollar Early

The best validation is money. Even $1 is a sign someone values what you’ve made.

Try:

One-time pricing (“Buy it for $10”)
Subscription (“$5/month for early access”)
Consulting (“Let me help you implement this”)

⚠️ Don’t wait until everything is “perfect” to charge.

You’ll be surprised how forgiving early adopters are — especially if you’re transparent and responsive.

🛠️ 7. Build in Public (but with Purpose)

Sharing your journey online helps in three ways:

Builds an audience 👀
Attracts collaborators 🤝
Keeps you accountable 📅

How to build in public:

Share progress updates (“Just added Stripe integration!”)
Post small wins (“Got 10 new users today 🎉”)
Share what didn’t work (“Launched on Reddit — 0 upvotes 😅”)

Platforms to try:

Twitter/X
LinkedIn
Indie Hackers
Dev.to
Hashnode
Your blog/newsletter

Remember: consistency beats virality.

🧩 8. Get Feedback — and Know What to Ignore

Feedback is gold. But not all of it matters equally.

✅ Listen to:

Paying users
People who use your product repeatedly
Questions that repeat often

❌ Ignore:

Random internet critics who don’t even try your app
Feature requests that aren’t aligned with your vision
Your own ego 😅

Tip: Use tools like Tally, Typeform, or Notion forms to collect feedback.

💻 9. Turn “Tech Debt” Into Smart Sprints

Your side project code might be… a little messy. That’s okay.

But as users grow, scale becomes real. So does:

Error logging
Performance
Security
Onboarding UX

📌 Use small sprints to fix things:

One week: Just improve onboarding.
One week: Optimize for mobile.
One week: Add basic analytics.

Break it down. Keep shipping.

Should You Go Full-Time?

This one’s personal.

Here are a few signs you’re ready to go full-time:

Your project earns at least 3–6 months of living expenses.
You can’t keep up with growth part-time.
You’ve tested demand and gotten early revenue.
You’ve built a small community or user base that depends on it.

💬 Still unsure? Try:

A sabbatical or time-off trial.
Raising a small friends/family pre-seed.
Joining an accelerator (like Y Combinator, Indie Hackers fund, etc.)

Going full-time doesn’t have to mean “all or nothing.” It’s about momentum and belief.

🧭 Bonus: Don’t Build Alone

Even if you’re a solo dev, find a support system:

Join online communities.
Talk to other indie hackers.
Get a mentor.
Share your struggles and wins.

This journey can feel lonely — but there are thousands of us out here, building, iterating, and dreaming just like you.

🤗 You’re not alone.

🎉 Final Thoughts: Small Start. Big Leap.

Your side project might feel small today. But the seeds of something powerful are already there.

You’ve built.
You’ve solved a problem.
You’ve put it out into the world.

Scaling isn’t about overnight success or huge launches. It’s about:

Solving real problems
Learning fast
Growing slow and steady
Making something people actually want

So the next time someone says “Nice side project!” — smile.

Because little do they know…
That “side project” might just be your startup. 💼🔥

Want help growing your tech idea?
Check out 👉 CodingWithIITians.com for mentorship, resources, and real guidance on building products that thrive.

Happy building! 🚀🛠️

FAQs

1. How do I know if my side project has startup potential?

If your project solves a real problem for a specific audience, people are willing to pay (or engage consistently), and there’s potential to scale, it may be startup-worthy. Validation through early users, feedback, and traction indicators (sign-ups, downloads, retention) are key signals.

2. Should I quit my job to focus on my side project?

Not immediately. Many successful startups began as side hustles. Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), test demand, and validate revenue before considering a full-time shift. Ideally, transition when the project can sustain your living expenses for at least 12–18 months.

3. How can I validate my idea without spending too much?

Build a simple MVP or landing page
Run small ad campaigns to test demand
Talk to your target audience
Launch on platforms like Product Hunt, Reddit, or IndieHackers
The goal is to confirm real-world interest before heavy investment.

4. Do I need a co-founder or can I go solo?

Both paths work. A co-founder can complement your skills (tech + business, design + sales). Going solo gives you speed and independence. If you lack critical skills (like coding or sales), a co-founder or early hire may accelerate progress.

🚀