The Complete Token Launchpad Guide for Solana Creators
This guide explains how token launchpads work and how to use them to launch a Solana token. We cover the entire process from token creation to post-launch management, including fee structures, holder rewards, and the role of AI tools. You'll learn how to choose a platform and execute a successful launch.
Key Points
- 1Token launchpads like Spawned allow creators to launch tokens for ~0.1 SOL (~$20) with built-in AI websites.
- 2Key features to compare include launch fees, creator revenue share (e.g., 0.30% per trade), and ongoing holder rewards.
- 3The process involves connecting a wallet, configuring your token, using the AI website builder, and funding the initial liquidity pool.
- 4Post-graduation, platforms using the Token-2022 standard can enforce a perpetual 1% fee for sustainable project funding.
- 5Choosing a launchpad with holder rewards (like 0.30% ongoing) can help build a stronger, more loyal community from day one.
What is a Token Launchpad?
A token launchpad is a platform that simplifies the technical process of creating and launching a new cryptocurrency token. For Solana, these platforms handle the smart contract deployment, initial liquidity pool (LP) creation, and often provide additional tools like website builders. They lower the barrier to entry, allowing creators without deep technical knowledge to bring their token ideas to market.
Historically, launching a token required writing and auditing custom smart contract code, a process that was expensive, time-consuming, and risky. Modern launchpads standardize this into a user-friendly interface. You can think of it as the difference between hand-coding a website versus using a site builder like WordPress or Wix. For a foundational look, read our token launchpad definition.
Key Features to Compare Between Launchpads
Choosing the right launchpad is about more than just the launch button. The financial model and tools define your project's future.
Not all launchpads are the same. When selecting a platform, you must look beyond the initial launch cost. Here’s a breakdown of critical features, using real examples from the market.
Fee Structure:
- Launch Fee: The upfront cost. Spawned charges 0.1 SOL (~$20). Some competitors charge more or have hidden costs.
- Creator Revenue: The percentage of each trade that goes back to you. Spawned offers 0.30% per trade. Some platforms, like pump.fun, offer 0% to creators.
- Post-Graduation Fees: After a token reaches a certain market cap (e.g., $50k-$100k), it 'graduates' to a decentralized exchange (DEX). Spawned uses the Token-2022 program to enforce a 1% perpetual fee on transactions, ensuring ongoing project funding.
Holder Incentives:
- Ongoing Rewards: Some platforms share trade revenue with token holders. Spawned distributes 0.30% of every trade to holders, which encourages long-term holding and community growth.
Integrated Tools:
- AI Website Builder: An essential tool for establishing legitimacy. Spawned includes this at no extra monthly cost, saving creators $29-$99 per month compared to standalone services.
Step-by-Step: How to Launch a Token
Follow this practical guide to launch your token on a platform like Spawned.
- Connect Your Wallet: Use a Solana wallet like Phantom or Backpack. This wallet will be the deployer address and receive initial token allocation and revenue.
- Configure Your Token: Enter your token's name, symbol, and description. You'll also set the total supply and decide what percentage is allocated to the initial liquidity pool (a common start is 90-95% to LP, 5-10% to the creator wallet).
- Build Your AI Website: Use the integrated AI builder. Input your project's concept, and the AI generates a landing page with a description, roadmap, and social links. This is a crucial step for credibility.
- Fund the Liquidity Pool: Deposit the required SOL (e.g., 0.1 SOL on Spawned) to create the initial trading pair. This SOL is locked as liquidity, and you receive LP tokens in return.
- Launch and Share: Once funded, your token is live and tradable. Share your token's page and website link with your community to start building momentum.
For a simpler overview, see our guide for token launchpad for beginners.
Financial Breakdown: Creator vs. Holder Value
Understanding the flow of value is key to a sustainable project. Here’s how fees and rewards typically work on a platform like Spawned.
For the Creator:
- Launch Cost: 0.1 SOL one-time fee.
- Ongoing Revenue: 0.30% of every buy and sell transaction goes to your creator wallet.
- Post-Graduation Revenue: After graduating to a DEX, a 1% transaction fee is enforced, with a portion flowing back to the project treasury.
- Tool Savings: $29-$99/month saved on website hosting and building.
For the Token Holder:
- Rewards: 0.30% of every trade is distributed proportionally to all token holders. This means holders earn more tokens simply by holding.
- Incentive: This model directly rewards loyalty and long-term support, aligning holder interests with the project's trading activity.
- Creator earns 0.30% on all trades from day one.
- Holder earns 0.30% on all trades simply by holding tokens.
- Post-graduation, a 1% fee sustains the project long-term.
What to Do After You Launch
Launching is just the beginning. Your actions in the first 48 hours are critical.
Immediate Actions:
- Promote Your Links: Share your token page and AI-generated website across all your social channels and communities.
- Engage Transparently: Use your website's blog or updates section to post regularly. Explain your vision and next steps.
- Monitor the Chart: Be aware of initial trading activity. Large, suspicious buys might indicate a sniping bot.
Long-Term Considerations:
- Graduation Planning: Most launchpad tokens automatically graduate to a DEX like Raydium after hitting a market cap threshold (e.g., $50k). Plan for this event. The Token-2022 standard used by some platforms ensures your 1% fee remains active post-graduation, providing continuous funding.
- Community Building: The holder reward model (0.30%) is a powerful tool. Highlight it to your community as a reason to hold and support the project organically. Discover more token launchpad benefits for long-term growth.
Verdict: How to Choose Your Launchpad
Based on a comparison of features, fees, and long-term value, a launchpad that offers fair creator revenue, holder rewards, and essential tools like an AI website builder provides the best foundation for success.
We recommend creators prioritize platforms that offer a sustainable economic model. A launchpad that takes 0% from creators might seem attractive initially, but it removes a key revenue stream for your project. Conversely, a model with 0.30% creator revenue and 0.30% holder rewards, like Spawned's, creates a positive feedback loop: active trading benefits both you and your community.
The inclusion of an AI website builder is not just a convenience; it's a necessity for establishing immediate legitimacy without extra cost or technical hassle. When you factor in the post-graduation sustainability via Token-2022 fees, this type of platform offers a complete path from launch to established project.
Ready to Launch Your Token?
You now have a clear guide to navigating the token launchpad landscape. The difference between a forgotten token and a thriving community project often comes down to the platform you choose and how you use its features.
If you're ready to launch a Solana token with a model that rewards both you and your holders from the first trade, and includes the tools you need to look professional, it's time to begin. Launch your token on Spawned today for 0.1 SOL and start building your project with a sustainable advantage.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs vary. On Spawned, the launch fee is 0.1 SOL (approximately $20, depending on SOL price). This covers the smart contract deployment and initial liquidity pool creation. Always check for hidden fees; some platforms may have higher upfront costs or take a larger percentage of transaction fees later.
This is a feature where a percentage of every trade (0.30% in Spawned's case) is automatically distributed to everyone holding the token. It's a built-in mechanism to incentivize and reward long-term holders, helping to stabilize and grow your community organically.
Graduation typically occurs when your token's market cap reaches a preset limit (e.g., $50,000). The token and its liquidity are then migrated to a full decentralized exchange (DEX) like Raydium. On advanced platforms using Solana's Token-2022 standard, a perpetual fee (e.g., 1%) can remain active, providing ongoing revenue for the project treasury.
No, that's the primary purpose of a launchpad. The process is designed to be form-based and visual. You fill in details like your token's name and supply, and the platform handles all the complex smart contract code in the background. Integrated AI tools, like website builders, further remove technical barriers.
On Spawned, yes. The AI website builder is included with the token launch at no additional monthly subscription cost. This can save creators $29 to $99 per month compared to using a separate, subscription-based website builder or hiring a developer.
On every buy or sell transaction of your token, 0.30% of the trade value is automatically sent to your designated creator wallet. This happens in real-time and provides a direct revenue stream from your token's trading activity, unlike some platforms that offer creators 0%.
A launchpad is for creation and initial launch. It provides the tools to mint a new token and create its first liquidity pool in a simple, guided way. A DEX (Decentralized Exchange) is for secondary trading. After a token launches and grows, it typically graduates to a DEX where larger-scale trading occurs. A launchpad is the starting line; a DEX is the main track.
Technically, yes. Your identity is tied to your Solana wallet address, not necessarily your real-world name. However, for project credibility and community trust, most successful creators establish a public identity or brand. The AI website builder helps you create a professional front end, regardless of your level of personal anonymity.
Explore more terms in our glossary
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