Hey everyone, I'm on the team behind Rainbond, an open-source Kubernetes application management platform we've worked on for seven years. While we have over 1000 Chinese enterprises relying on us for their app deployments, expanding into Western markets is proving to be a challenge. Despite having 5.2k stars on GitHub, we haven't attracted any real overseas users yet.
Here's the situation:
- **Star Growth Rate**: ~750 per year in China vs. ~150 globally.
- **Enterprise Adoption**: 1000+ in China vs. 0 in the West.
We've identified a few key pain points that might be holding us back:
1. **Framing ourselves as a Heroku alternative**: We position ourselves this way to simplify understanding for users, but developers require Kubernetes knowledge to resolve issues, making it easier for them to hit a technical barrier.
2. **Perception of open source**: Open-source doesn't always equate to immediate trust among users.
3. **Cultural differences in deployment preferences**: Many of our Chinese clients prefer fully air-gapped installations, while Western teams lean towards SaaS solutions.
We're seeking honest feedback:
- **For Western enterprises**: What holds you back from trusting mature open-source tools coming from China? Is it compliance, audits, or something else?
- **For developers**: Would you prefer a more classical deployment approach (like YAML, Helm) or something with higher abstraction and easier management?
- **Should we pivot** to rebrand ourselves as an enterprise-grade K8s management platform instead of a Heroku alternative?
We're eager to learn from your perspectives—whether it's about our documentation, compliance needs, or how we present our product.
5 Answers
I see why you’d want to market as a Heroku alternative but that could be sending the wrong message. If potential users expect Heroku-level performance, they might shy away if they think your product can’t meet those expectations. Instead of the Heroku pitch, maybe emphasize how you simplify app deployment and provide flexibility in K8s management without needing extensive K8s knowledge.
Exactly! Highlighting ease of use could turn heads better than the Heroku comparison.
In addition to trust, I’d emphasize the importance of community. Open governance is a big deal for many Western organizations. Projects affiliated with known entities like CNCF gain traction because of shared trust and oversight. Perhaps consider ways to strengthen the community around your project to enhance credibility and visibility.
Yes, getting into a well-known foundation like CNCF could really open doors for you.
For sure! Building a diverse community will also help in overcoming those biases.
The lack of English content on your site and documentation is certainly a barrier. If 75% is in Chinese, how can users feel comfortable adopting your platform? Making English the first language on your documentation and website is crucial if you want to reach Western markets. A clean, professional presentation matters too—it sounds trivial, but it can make a world of difference.
Absolutely! You could also think about video guides or demos to engage users more effectively.
Agreed! A localized approach with native content would improve user confidence significantly.
Honestly, it sounds like you need a more robust marketing strategy. This needs to go beyond Reddit posts. Have you tried webinars, attending conferences, or collaborating with influencers in the space? Getting the word out where your audience hangs out is essential to break through the noise. And aligning with Western dev practices will help promote trust and acceptance too!
Great suggestion! Direct engagements like that would give potential adopters a chance to see the platform in action.
For sure! Visibility is key—consider creating partnerships to enhance your reach.
Your challenges seem to stem from trust issues surrounding software from China, especially in the context of geopolitical tensions. Many Western companies might outright avoid solutions from Chinese developers due to concerns about supply chain risks and potential government backdoors. Shifting perceptions will take time and transparency, especially regarding security measures. Have you considered how to assuage these fears more directly?
Exactly! Companies really lean towards avoiding any associated risks. It's not so much about tech quality; it's more about where it comes from.
Yes, trust is a big issue. Transparency in your code and operations would help a lot.
That's a solid point! They might appreciate a focus on the unique features that make Rainbond stand out.