When we launched Zillow, millions of users flocked to the site due to positive press from influential tech journalist Walt Mossberg, but our server crashed under the traffic, leading to a memorable headline about our popularity.

The initial response to Next.js was mixed; there was a huge positive reaction, but some people weren't aware of the problems they would face.

Zillow's long-term strategy is to create a super app that integrates all aspects of renting and buying homes, embedding ourselves in the workflow to solve real customer problems.

The magic happened when we aligned the needs of those wanting simplified deployment with those wanting simplified React and web application building. I struggled in the beginning to deliver the vision incrementally and meet the market where it was, which at the time was very static.

At Zillow, we built a PR data distribution infrastructure to feed local newspapers with housing data, capitalizing on the constant demand for housing news, which helped establish our brand without spending on traditional advertising.

I learned that to disrupt the real estate industry, we need to integrate technology, design, and community into a cohesive vision.

I realized that JavaScript could do amazing things on the client side, but you also need the server side, which is why I went all in on Node.js.

It's crucial that a new user experiences an 'aha' moment that feels personal, which is why many CTOs and VPs of engineering also felt the need to create their own websites using our platform.

We're building out this open agentic web at scale, expanding opportunities for developers across every layer of the stack.