From SEO to Software: My Journey into Full-Stack Development

Ricardo — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 18:29:57 +0000

For the past 8 years, I've worked in SEO. But with the last shifts in search since 2022 and the growing uncertainty in the SEO field, I have decided to pivot into software development.

If you want to skip the backstory and check out my first SaaS project, feel free to scroll down. But here’s a bit about my journey so far 👇

My Background in SEO

I won't go on too long here and give you just a quick overview. I got into SEO back in 2017 by building content and affiliate websites.

Back then, I genuinely enjoyed the challenge of ranking sites, experimenting with keywords, and optimizing content. I managed a handful of successful content sites during this time.

However, the landscape has changed. Updates like Google’s Helpful Content Update (HCU) in 2022 and the rise of AI-generated content have made traffic drops a regular issue with running content-based SEO websites.

Why Software Development?

I’ve always been a tech enthusiast. From jtagging Xboxes and messing with Linux distros to playing around with Raspberry Pis and command-line tools, I’ve always enjoyed exploring tech.

Around the time I was learning SEO, I also had a play around with HTML, CSS, and PHP, but nothing as seriously as SEO, which I chose to focus on. Now I'm coming full circle and diving back into software development.

From Keywords to Code - The Indie Hacker Spark

I have been active on Twitter (now X) since 2011 (mrrikitikitavi). About a year ago, I stumbled across Pieter Levels. I had heard the terms “indie hacking” and “bootstrapping” before, but scrolling through his profile helped me fully grasp the indie hacker movement, and I was hooked.

While I was still managing some of my SEO projects, I started using ChatGPT to build simple PHP plugins for WordPress. It blew my mind what was possible, but also frustrated me.

Anyone who’s tried to debug AI-generated code knows the pain truthfully without knowing code, which is fixing one thing, and something else breaks, and before you know it, you're riding down the slippery AI slope trying to save all your work from being completely changed.

That’s when I made the decision to learn to code properly. Not just to build things like the indie hackers I admire, but to actually understand and take control of the tools I’m building.

My First SaaS - Superhuman Strength

There's one thing I have always loved to do, and that's to do bodyweight training to counteract from many hours daily sitting behind a monitor. For many years, I tracked my workouts using a pen and paper, then I used a basic Python script and a local database.

Eventually, I decided to build the tool I wish I had: a proper calisthenics-focused exercise tracker. Think Duolingo, but for bodyweight workouts—gamified, clean, and easy to use.

I scratched my own itch, and Superhuman Strength was born. I won’t go into too much detail here, but you can check it out via my dev profile above.

My Thoughts on Vibe Coding

I've experimented with Vibe Coding tools such as Bolt and Lovable. While they’re cool, they still left me wanting more knowledge to really fix things when issues popped up.

That’s why I’ve doubled down on learning to code properly. I’m currently focusing on:

JavaScript
React
TypeScript
Backend tools:
- Node.js
- PostgreSQL

I see AI coding tools as powerful assistants, not replacements. Once you understand the fundamentals, tools like Copilot, Cursor, or Lovable can dramatically speed up your workflow, which I beleive in, but they can’t replace deep knowledge.

Looking Ahead

My goal is to become a well-rounded developer in JavaScript and maybe some Python by 2026.

I plan to build more projects with more of my knowledge, while sharing what I learn with other beginners and connecting with others on the same path.

If you're into indie hacking, learning to code, or building fitness apps, feel free to follow along. I’ll be sharing more about my journey into web development right here on dev.to

Whether you're just getting started like me or you're a seasoned developer, I'd love to hear from you. Drop a comment below and share your thoughts, tips, or just say hi! 🙌