User Acquisition Strategy

We acquire users primarily through organic, low-cost channels rather than paid advertising. SEO is a major part of the strategy. Individual research studies on designdex.org are structured as searchable pages, allowing users to discover the platform while looking for specific topics, papers or design-related evidence. The goal is for each indexed study to act as a potential entry point into the wider platform. We also use content marketing across LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Reddit and other design, education and startup communities. Content focuses on problems designers and students already face, such as finding credible research, avoiding weak or fabricated AI citations, and improving evidence-based design decisions. Another channel is community building. designdex.org is shared directly with students, designers, educators and university communities where research is already part of the design process. This includes outreach to teachers and schools, participation in design and education communities, and encouraging users to share useful studies or the platform with classmates and project teams. We also list designdex.org on relevant startup, EdTech, design and software directories to improve discoverability, backlinks and credibility. Long term, partnerships with schools, design programmes, educators and student organisations could become a stronger acquisition channel. The product is particularly suited to classroom and project-based use because one educator introducing it can potentially bring an entire cohort of students onto the platform. The overall strategy is designed around compounding organic discovery: more indexed research creates more searchable pages, which brings in more users, who then explore, save and share additional research. Paid acquisition may be tested later, but the current focus is building repeatable organic growth through SEO, content, communities, referrals and education partnerships.

Team

Sunks

Founder