As you consider different platforms for your blog, it’s natural to wonder how long they’ll be around and if the developers are invested or just throwing darts at the board. After all, most startups fold within 2 to 5 years.

As someone who is obsessed with software, I know firsthand how frustrating it is to pour your heart into a platform that ends up getting canned. Over the years, I’ve come up with a few simple signals that reveal whether an app is built to last.

What to watch out for

When trying to decide if devs are serious about an app, I look at several signals that leak intent:

1. Domain registration length: If the developers are committed to their app, they will typically register the domain for multiple years. This relatively small investment conveys trust to users (and to Google), but more importantly, it tells you what’s going on behind the scenes (is this just a weekend project? Do they see themselves still running it in 5 years?).
2. Future plans: Developers who plan to stick around usually share what they’re working on next. This can be in the form of a roadmap, social channels, or email newsletter.
3. Personal ownership: Apps that are personally owned and not pressured by investors are often more stable because their direction isn’t dictated by outside influence.

We’re here for the long run

I’m extremely passionate about tid and expect it to be around for a very long time. As of the time of this writing, our domain is registered for 10 years and our hosting costs are sustainable.

tid and my other apps are my full-time focus. You can follow what’s coming next on the public roadmap or go behind-the-scenes on my personal YouTube channel.

Last but not least, tid is 100% bootstrapped and owned by Bitzag LLC, which is my company. We don’t have anyone pressuring us to degrade our platform or give up on our values.

tid’s only source of income comes from Pro plan subscriptions. I’d love it if you upgrade to the Pro plan and support my mission. It helps me keep going.

What you can expect from me

As an aging millennial (born in '88), I’ve seen good apps evolve and bite the dust. I realize that technology is changing all the time. This is why I want to be open and tell you what you can expect from me at different stages:

1. Platforms change and sometimes lose their focus. tid too may change to some degree, but it will always remain a writing platform first and foremost.
2. I’m dead-set on keeping tid alive even if it never becomes profitable. In the event of my untimely demise, I’m taking steps to ensure its continuity.
3. I’m not opposed to funding, in fact, I may choose to partner with an investor if it feels right and they share my values. When and if that time comes, I will let you know.

As a platform, we know who we are and what makes us unique. That won’t change. Our users come first, and we’re here to stay.

As the years go by, the world may change. These words will not.

Thanks for being here early.