You’re Overcomplicating Your Side Project — Here’s How to Simplify It

If you’ve ever started a side project and never finished it, you’re not alone. Many developers within the Laravel ecosystem (and beyond) dream up incredible ideas, start building, and then get bogged down in the details. The project grows too complex, the enthusiasm fades, and eventually, it’s abandoned. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Let’s talk about why this happens and how you can simplify your side projects to ship faster and, more importantly, succeed.

The Problem: Overcomplication

Side projects are supposed to be fun, right? But somewhere between spinning up a Laravel app and deploying it, things can spiral out of control. Here’s why:

Feature Creep: You start with one core idea, but soon you’re adding user roles, analytics dashboards, multi-language support, and integrations for every API under the sun.
Trying to Reinvent the Wheel: Instead of leveraging existing tools or packages, you decide to build everything from scratch. “How hard can it be?” Famous last words.
Analysis Paralysis: You’re overthinking every decision. Should you use Livewire, Inertia, or Vue? MySQL or PostgreSQL? Tailwind or Bootstrap? Before you know it, you’ve spent weeks debating instead of building.

Why Simplicity Wins

Here’s the thing: simplicity isn’t just about making your life easier; it’s about making your project viable. When you keep things simple, you:

Launch Faster: The quicker you launch, the quicker you can validate your idea and get feedback.
Focus on the Core Problem: By stripping away unnecessary features, you can hone in on solving the specific problem you set out to tackle.
Reduce Burnout: Overcomplicating your project makes it feel like a chore. Simplicity keeps it manageable and enjoyable.

Practical Tips to Simplify and Ship Faster

Start With One Core Problem: Every successful project starts with solving one problem really well. For example, let’s say you’re building a CRM. Instead of trying to compete with Salesforce, focus on a niche. Maybe it’s a CRM specifically for real estate agents that automates follow-up emails. Find your niche and nail that one “thing” better than anyone else.
Use Proven Tools: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Laravel, Livewire, Inertia, and Tailwind are all amazing tools that can help you move fast without sacrificing quality. Use packages like Spatie’s suite of tools or Laravel Nova to save time and avoid building features that already exist.
Prioritize MVP Features: Make a list of all the features you want in your project, then ruthlessly cut it down to the essentials. Ask yourself: “If I had to launch this in a week, what would I include?” Start there. You can always add more later.
Set a Deadline: A project with no deadline is a project that may never launch. Give yourself a realistic but firm timeline. For example, “I’ll build and deploy the MVP within 30 days.” Deadlines force focus.
Automate Where Possible: As someone who values saving people time, automation should be your best friend. Use tools like Laravel Queues for background jobs, Zapier for integrations, and cron jobs for recurring tasks. Automating repetitive tasks not only saves you time but also makes your product more valuable.
Launch First, Polish Later: Your MVP doesn’t need to be perfect. Ship it, gather feedback, and iterate. Many successful apps started as rough versions of what they are today.

A Personal Example: From Side Project to Acquisition

Let me share a quick story. I built a CRM. Yes, another CRM in a sea of a million others. But I didn’t try to be everything to everyone. Instead, I focused on a specific niche: photographers. The CRM streamlined their workflow by automating tasks such as invoicing, appointments, and contracts. By solving these pain points better than existing solutions, the product resonated with users and, eventually, led to an acquisition.

The lesson? You don’t need to build something groundbreaking. You just need to build something that improves someone’s life in a tangible way.

Final Thoughts

The next time you start a side project, remember this: simplicity is your superpower. Focus on one problem, use the tools at your disposal, and don’t get lost in the weeds. By simplifying, you’ll not only increase your chances of launching but also create something truly valuable.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick that project back up, strip it down to the essentials, and ship it. The Laravel ecosystem has all the tools you need to make it happen.

What’s your next side project?