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Recap: Launchly is devoted to getting web startups (like the ones that come here with posts like this) the feedback and exposure they need to succeed. Multiple rounds/iterations of feedback are fully supported and encouraged by the system. We also track all aspects of new launches and provide powerful analytics to help the site owner(s) focus on what matters - delivering value to their customers.
In the two months since I first released launchly the site has gone through quite a few changes and I'd like to get a feel for what the HN community thinks of the idea/site as it stands now.
Some of the biggest changes are a completely new feedback system with support for screenshots, new category and tag navigation, user profile pages, and by far the biggest of all - a reputation system.
I added the reputation system to try to enhance and encourage the community aspects of the site a-la StackOverflow. Users build up reputation by providing feedback and voting on launches. They also earn (or lose) reputation by others voting on their feedback quality. As your reputation increases so does your influence on the site (votes weighted more heavily, limited admin powers granted, etc.).
Another big change (which necessitated the reputation system) is the addition of a free Basic launch tier. When I first created launchly I had only planned to have paid plans. That hasn't worked out in practice, especially not while trying to build up the community, so I added the new free plan. The free plan leverages the reputation system by requiring users to spend 100 reputation (it's not deducted, just subtracted from what they have available) for a free launch. 100 rep would not take long to earn (4-5 feedbacks + voting) and it hopefully will encourage community participation and keep the spammers at bay.
Anyways, please let me know what you think of the updates and the change in direction launchly has taken.
I'd also love to hear any ideas anyone may have on other possible ways to monetize something like this. Lets face it, even if I get 100 launches a month (which seems high) and every new site opts to go for a $40 paid plan, that's still only $4,000 in revenue per month.
http://www.launchly.com