I launched iOS without an audience, no financing, and there is no marketing experience.
The first few weeks? Almost no downloads.
Quickly forward 90 days?1400 dollars In revenue.
It is not a variable amount of life, but it is sufficient to prove that small Indie applications can make real money. here Six major lessons I learned from launching my first profitable application:
1. Market research is more important than the code
Like many Devs, I used to believe: “If you build something great, people will find it.”
mistake. If no one is looking for your application, it does not matter how well it coded.
How to avoid this error:
- Check first – Check Google Trends, Reddit and App Store before coding.
- Look at competition applications – If there are similar applications and earn money, this is a good sign.
- Read reviews 1-2 star Look for gaps in the existing applications and solve them.
I made a mistake Coding before checkingAnd it cost me months of effort.
2. Marketing is no less important than development
“Build it and will come” is a lie.
I launched my first application without a marketing plan, and I sat in the application store without anyone noticing it.
Once I focused on marketing, the downloads increased.
This is what succeeded:
- Improving the App Store (ASO) Improving the title and major words.
- Apple search ads ($ 5 per day) Even a small advertising budget can bring real users.
- Benefit from social media (Twitter, Reddit) Share ideas instead of random mail links.
If you actively market your application, No one will find it.
3.
A common mistake: Run a free application and discover later liquefy.
I started with ads. Bad step.
What works better:
- Subscriptions The most stable revenue form.
- IAPS purchases (IAPS) – If users see the value, they will pay.
- Ads (admob, unit ads) Effective only with high traffic.
4. UX matters more than one perfect code
Devs loves a clean and improved symbol. but Users do not care.
This is what really matters:
- speed – If your application is slow, people will cancel it.
- simplicity Reducing friction in the knees.
- Intuitive user interface – If users are struggling to move, they will not return.
I wasted the time Improving the code instead of improving UXAnd the rate of keeping me.
5. Track the user’s behavior, do not guess
Initially, I had no idea why users left.
Changing these scales change everything:
- The rate of retirement (one day, 7 days, 30 days) Are users back?
- Duration of the session Do they stay long enough to find value?
- Conversion How many free users to paid features?
6. Most Devs resigned very soon
The first version will not be a blow. Repeating is the key.
I almost surrendered yet:
- Weeks of $ 0 revenue.
- Struggle to get downloads.
- Thinking about my application was a failure.
Small changes made a big difference:
- Best onboarding = Top keeping.
- Pricing modifications = more transfers.
Most of the independents resigned very early. Those who repeat, win.
Final ideas: Do you have to build iOS?
If you are ready for:
- Check the correctness of your idea before coding.
- Market your application properly.
- A liquidation plan from the first day.
- Follow user data instead of guessing.
then Yes, you must definitely.
📺 I dismantle my full experience in this video
