u/Zealousideal_Ice4619

42U beast running the house.

What do you all think about this rack?

I first discovered Pi-hole in 2024.

I loved it — and so did anyone else who came over to my house and used my WiFi network. Some liked it so much that they asked me to make one for them. Setup was too complicated to explain to someone non-technical. Family members (especially the older ones), but even young, non-tech users were having problems getting it to work. I identified multiple issues that I thought were keeping Pi-hole from a broader audience.

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Issue #1: Difficulty of setting it up

Assigning a static IP address or setting it as the DNS server through the router were both things you couldn't expect people to do by themselves. Most people have no clue how to even log into their router's web interface.

Instead of using it as a DNS server, I decided to put it inline between the modem and the router. That way anyone who could plug a couple cables into the device could get it working themselves.

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Issue #2: Setting up blocklists

As we all know, to get the most out of Pi-hole we need to add our own blocklists. Just like the first issue, expecting people to make sense of different blocklists and actually set them up inside the Pi-hole web interface was something you couldn't expect.

I preloaded the devices with lists that have been working pretty well for me over the first year or so I experimented with it. Out of the box protection. Now we're talking.

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Issue #3: Are they working the way they should be?

Once I gave it to my friends to set up and use, I no longer had any idea what was going on with the device itself. Is it working the way it should, or having issues that need fixing? They would have no way of knowing other than "ads are showing again" — and would not know how to fix it.

I built a management console where I could oversee all the devices I gave to my friends. If there were any issues, I was able to fix it remotely.

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Issue #4: Different users have different needs

There was still no UI for the users that was easy to use and let them change settings to match their needs.

I created a web app they could log in to and change, for example, the level of blocking or completely block certain categories from their network.

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Issue #5: Much more than just blocking ads

There was no way for users to see all the work Pi-hole was doing. The absence of ads is one thing, but what about the trackers, telemetry, phishing attempts, etc.? Networking is a dry topic for non-technical users — so there had to be a way to make it fun, and something a child could understand.

I created the PuriFi animation, which simulates network traffic in real time. It shows all the individual domains getting blocked as it happens. You can see a blocklist as well as different stats. Now anyone can see that Pi-hole blocks 30%+ of traffic that's junk / not needed. Got some great feedback on this feature. The device itself has a screen as well, so you can see it all going down next to your router without needing your phone.

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Issue #6: You can't take your protection with you

As soon as you leave your home network, your devices are unprotected.

Created the PuriFi mobile app for both iOS and Android that lets you set up a VPN connection between your PuriFi device and the rest of your devices. That way you can take the same protection / content with you anywhere you go — just as if you were sitting in your living room.

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The result

A plug-and-play version of Pi-hole that anyone can use, with many quality-of-life benefits. My friends and family have absolutely loved it. It was a fun / passion project of mine that just grew into what it is today.

I would love to hear the thoughts of the community.

EDIT: Some features I didn't mention..

PuriFi Mesh: Every device uses localized machine learning to identify threats that aren't on blocklists and they make the collective smarter (without collecting your data)

PuriFi Tunnel: The exit node for your traveling device is your own PuriFi device. It's like you never left your living room and still using your home WiFi. The data travels strictly through your own devices (gets bounced off of a PuriFi Relay but is never decrypted or inspected). Some people mentioned TailScale. I used WireGuard which is what TailScale is built on if I'm not mistaken.

Solo founder here. Getting ready to launch my first hardware product - a network appliance that protects your home from unwanted intruders, silences your devices that are trying to collect your data and keeps you connected to your home network wherever you go in the world, letting you bring the same protection/content you would get in your living room with you.

You can see this all happening in real time through the display of the device as well as the mobile app that comes with it (available in both Apple and Google stores).

Development is done. 50 devices built and working. Have the components to build 300 units total to be able to fulfill at least a portion of the orders as fast as possible.

I started my pre launch campaign during a week long in person event. This was the first time I showed my product to a larger audience. Received a lot of support and encouragement. Almost everyone I talked to said they wanted to buy one. I came back home very happy and feeling good about the project.

I then did a little bit of marketing online through different (free) channels. Out of roughly 100 people that opened the website, the only ones that signed up with email were the ones I explicitly asked. People click and read more often than not. However they are not signing up to get the secret discount I'm offering on launch day. As low as 50% off ($99) with lifetime free VPN access (normally $50/year).

Originally planned the launch for June 2 with about one month of pre launch campaigning. After doing some research, I think the timeframe might be too short and thinking about moving the launch date to somewhere between July and September. I now understand how important the marketing itself is before going live.

Almost all the feedback I've gotten was from friends/family/in person. Probably all biased. I'm hoping to get some honest feedback on what I should do going into the pre launch campaign so that I can maximize the chances of my project succeeding.

Everything I have so far I put together looking at other successful projects/ reading tips here on reddit but I think I left a lot on the table and some unbiased opinions could really help me dial it in.

Not looking to self promote as I will run an ad campaign like everyone suggested. I just want to make sure I'm as set up as I can be before I do. Being a solo founder and not raising any money I want to make sure my hard earned $$ go to the right place.

The two websites I'm looking for feedback on:

https://www.purifi.io
Is the lack of sign ups due to it not making you "want to buy it" or is it because of some technical issues with the forms, like them not being in the right place or styled the right way that draws in your attention? Not enough emphasis?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/purifi/670927668?ref=cfsxjd&token=559b7a05
The kickstarter campaign. Tips on rewards/pricing/story much welcome. The current video is a placeholder for the marketing video that's still being produced.

Any specific tips for the pre launch campaign for this type of product also welcome.

Thanks for reading and potentially helping me identify flaws.