A waitlist is a signup form that collects email addresses from people who want a product before it is available, so they can be invited when it opens.
It tests whether anyone wants the thing before you finish building it, and it gives you a group to tell on launch day.
Waitlists go stale quickly. People who signed up three months ago have often forgotten why, so write to them while you build and let them in as early as you can.
Why it matters for a launch
A small, recent waitlist is worth more than a large, old one. If the product already works, skip the waitlist and let people in.
Read more: How to get your first users