Alex Hardy

How time flies: it’s been a full year since I released simpleContact 1.0. Quite a bit has happened since then, so here are the highlights for me…

Progress

As you can see from my downloads page, work has continued on the application. simpleContact currently stands at version 1.2, which I released in December 2007. The details of each version can be found in the release notes.

I’ve tweaked the design of the downloads page and the site in general, and I’m keeping a visual log of those changes in my Flickr account. When I release the “Pro” version it will be re-branded simpleContact “Lite”.

I added a support forum to this website. It’s very early days, but I hope to build a valuable resource. Publishing an application (even a vigorously tested one) is rather like releasing a domesticated animal into the wild – you have no idea where it will find itself and how well it will fare. It seems to be coping well in the big bad world of unpredictable server configurations and usage scenarios.

I’ve also made a personal discovery. To focus on something that’s your own, improving it bit by bit appeals to the perfectionist in me. I find it very satisfying.

Reception

The response from users has been overwhelmingly positive. I don’t mind revealing that I currently average 180 downloads a month, so you don’t need to be a maths whizz to know that I am getting close to a milestone that I will comment on soon.

In version 1.1 I added a rating form to the log out page to help users express their opinions and to promote the application on The PHP Resource Index, a leading script directory. The reaction was great, and it has a solid front-page position in its category. With the release of ‘Pro the attack on its rivals really begins!

Users have been generous, with comments such as these:

“I’m always looking for ways to make my clients’ projects useful and sophisticated, but still affordable. simpleContact makes it easy to deliver an advanced product easily.” Kim D.

“Being a web developer/designer but not a script author, this is an asset. This application, in my opinion, rivals most of the ones designed by other companies that charge a premium.” Alan J.

There’s still a long way to go. I’ve had lots of requests, some of which I definitely plan to include in future releases. “Subject” and “US state” fields in particular have been in demand. I hope to satisfy the need for bespoke options with ‘Pro.

Promotion

I’ve not engaged in any advertising so far, although that will come. I’ve relied solely on word of mouth, directory listings and links in relevant places. Thanks to Andy Prevost, the PHPMailer website in particular has been a strong source of visitors.

I’ll write my first newsletter in a couple of months. A fringe benefit of this project has been that it constantly yields new opportunities to learn and interact with people. To write better, more compatible code, manage versions, user expectations and support requests, stats analysis, PPC, email marketing – all things that you learn best on the job.

I can’t wait to see what I have to say in May 2009!