Startup Growth Hacks: What Actually Worked for Us

Hey, Mats here! Building a startup from the ground up isn’t easy, and when it comes to growth, no single formula works for everyone. But along the way, we’ve discovered a few hacks that have helped us grow KfzPortal24.de faster and smarter. Some are simple, some are surprising, but all have made a real difference in how we scale.

1. Google Ads: Catching Customers at the Right Moment

Unlike some products, you can’t force people to need car deregistration services. It’s not like selling a t-shirt—it’s a service people need at very specific points in their life, such as when they’re selling a car. That’s why Google Ads has been our most effective marketing channel. We focus on catching customers exactly where they are in the funnel—when they’re ready to deregister a car. The earlier we can reach them in that decision-making process, the better. This targeted approach helps us connect with people at the exact moment they need our product.

2. Automating for Efficiency: Our Backend Data Correction Magic

One of the small but powerful tools that has made a big impact on our workflow is a backend feature that automatically corrects common data entry mistakes. We noticed that users were frequently making similar typos or errors, so we built a correction engine that automatically fixes them. This might seem like a small detail, but by learning from our users’ most common mistakes and addressing them behind the scenes, we’ve drastically improved the user experience without requiring any extra effort from our customers.

3. Customer Feedback: Just Ask

It’s easy to overlook direct conversations with your users, but we’ve found that simply asking for feedback—via email, phone, or even WhatsApp—has been one of our best growth strategies. It doesn’t need to be fancy. We reach out to users directly and ask them what they think. More often than not, they’re happy to chat and share their experiences. This direct line of communication helps us improve the product and makes our customers feel heard and valued. And it doesn't need any fancy preparation; I just call with, "Hey, this is Mats with KfzPortal24. Do you have a few moments to tell me about your experience with us?". Done.

4. Retaining Customers: Support, Features, and Consistency

Great customer support has been the backbone of our growth. It’s not just about solving problems—it’s about building relationships with our customers. We keep people engaged and coming back by providing top-notch support, sending out regular newsletters, and frequently rolling out new features. We’ve learned that customers appreciate a brand that evolves and stays responsive to their needs, so we ensure they always feel part of our journey.

5. Hitting the Streets: Finding People Where They Are

One of the most unexpected and low-budget growth hacks we’ve used during MVP-phase? Physically going out and meeting people where they are. For us, that meant visiting small car dealers and local registration offices, chatting with people about their needs, and even trying to sell our product face-to-face. It’s an old-school approach, but it works. Nothing fancy—just a pair of shoes and a willingness to talk to people and, if things go well, future customers directly.

6. Staying Focused with Marketing Spend

This point, I take personally. So pay close attention.

Early on, we made the mistake of spreading our marketing budget too wide. It’s tempting to try every channel and platform, but we quickly learned that focusing our efforts in one place was much more effective. By narrowing our focus, we could better track and optimize our campaigns, ensuring we got the best return on investment. This approach allowed us to refine our marketing strategy and see what worked. Even almost a year after the launch, we are still focused on marketing. Big and wide marketing might be tempting. Fancy Instagram Ads, print ads in shops, or radio spots. But be honest: which single one works best for you? First, get that one perfected and get your ad-money worth in revenue.

7. Timing: Fast Execution Wins

Timing hasn’t played a huge role in our growth. We entered the market late, but what mattered more was our speed in catching up. Once we were in, we moved fast—executing, iterating, and improving at a pace that helped us overtake most of our competitors within months. It’s a reminder that while timing and being first can matter, your ability to move fast and adapt is even more critical.

8. Looking Ahead: Partnerships and Collaborations

Without going into too much detail, we have some exciting partnerships and collaborations in the works. While I can’t say much just yet, these collaborations are key to our future growth. They’re a reminder that the right partnership can sometimes accelerate your growth faster than you could on your own.

Final Thoughts

Growing a startup is a constant experiment. There’s no single hack that will solve all your problems, but you can accelerate your growth by being open to feedback, focusing on key priorities, and trying unconventional methods. For us, it’s been about finding what works and doing more of it while staying flexible and ready to adapt along the way.

What growth strategies have worked for you? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,
Mats