January 28, 2026
Why Simple Waitlists Win
Every launch guide tells you to set up a waitlist. Most of them then point you to tools with referral systems, share-to-unlock mechanics, and gamified leaderboards.
For 90% of launches, that’s overkill.
What actually matters
When you’re launching a product, you need exactly one thing from your waitlist: a way to contact people when you’re ready. That means collecting email addresses. That’s it.
The referral mechanics sound great in theory. In practice:
- Most people won’t share your waitlist link
- Leaderboard positions don’t convert to users
- Complex setups delay your launch
- You spend time configuring tools instead of building your product
The simple approach
- Put a widget on your landing page
- Collect emails
- When you launch, email everyone
- Ship the product
No referral codes. No viral loops. No growth hacking. Just a direct line to people who are interested in what you’re building.
When you might need more
If you’re a well-funded startup with a marketing team and a viral product, sure — referral waitlists can work. But if you’re an indie hacker or small team, the ROI on waitlist complexity is nearly zero.
Keep it simple. Collect emails. Focus on building something worth launching.