How I Built It: $15K/month Mobile App

Summary

Sebastian Ro's journey from quitting his corporate programming job to becoming a full-time indie app developer is inspiring. After a challenging start withTranscript Summary Process limited downloads and revenue, he found success by focusing on building in public, effective app store optimization, and keeping his app simple. His app, Habit Kit, a habit tracking tool, has since grown to $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue and 300,000 downloads. In this interview, Sebastian shares the strategies that helped him succeed, including leveraging ASO, gathering reviews, and using search ads, while reflecting on his past mistakes and key learnings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sebastian quit his corporate job with no plan, setting a 12-month runway to figure things out and eventually became a full-time indie app developer.
• 😀 After 6 months of minimal downloads, Sebastian pivoted his strategy and eventually built Habit Kit, a successful habit tracking app that generates $15K in monthly recurring revenue.
• 😀 The key to Sebastian’s success was building in public, sharing development updates on social media, and gaining traction with authentic content and community connections.
• 😀 App Store Optimization (ASO) was essential to Sebastian’s app’s success, allowing it to rank highly for important keywords like 'habit tracker' on the app stores.
• 😀 Building a simple and clean MVP helped Sebastian launch Habit Kit quickly, focusing on core functionality like habit tracking and data privacy without sign-in requirements.
• 😀 Sebastian’s first 6 months in business were financially challenging, but he kept his spirits high by continuing his side hustle and seeing small successes, eventually reaching $3,000 in monthly recurring revenue by the end of 2023.
• 😀 By the end of 2024, Habit Kit achieved $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue, which allowed Sebastian to quit his job for a second time and gain full control over his time and business.
• 😀 Despite not having a big marketing budget, Sebastian managed to rank highly on the App Store and compete with larger companies by focusing on ASO and leveraging organic traffic.
• 😀 Sebastian’s app is built using Flutter, a cross-platform framework, along with tools like Astro for keyword research, App Figures for analytics, and Revenue Cat for handling subscriptions.
• 😀 To minimize costs, Sebastian keeps his expenses low, with the primary cost being Revenue Cat’s fee, which takes 1% of his revenue, while other monthly costs add up to around $200-$300.

Q & A

What motivated Sebastian to quit his job and become an indie app developer?

Sebastian was feeling restless after working on the same project for three years at his regular job. He wanted to be more creative and work on his own projects, which led him to quit his job and focus on indie development for at least 12 months.

How did Sebastian's journey evolve during the first six months of quitting his job?

During the first six months, Sebastian faced challenges, as his app saw less than a dozen downloads and minimal revenue. Despite this, he continued working on his app and eventually found an idea that helped him turn things around.

What was the turning point for Sebastian's app, Habit Kit?

The turning point came when Sebastian found the right idea and strategy that resonated with users. He focused on simplicity, visual appeal, and privacy, and after refining his approach, the app's success began to grow rapidly.

How did Sebastian grow Habit Kit to $15,000 in monthly recurring revenue?

Sebastian utilized a combination of building in public, effective app store optimization (ASO), and engaging in strategic marketing. He shared his journey on social media, used search ads, and optimized his app’s metadata to rank higher in search results, which led to significant growth.

What role did building in public play in Sebastian's success?

Building in public allowed Sebastian to share his development process and engage authentically with his audience. This led to unexpected opportunities, such as being featured in videos, podcasts, and gaining valuable connections with other developers.

What marketing strategy did Sebastian use to promote his app?

Sebastian used a low-budget Apple search ads campaign and focused on app store optimization. He optimized keywords, app names, and screenshots, and also asked users for reviews after they completed their first habit, which contributed to increased visibility and organic downloads.

How did Sebastian validate his app ideas?

Sebastian focused on solving his own problems with the apps he built. By being his first customer, he could identify the requirements and features that were truly needed, ensuring the app would meet users' expectations and demands.

What tools and technologies did Sebastian use to build Habit Kit?

Sebastian used Flutter, a cross-platform framework, to build the app. He also utilized tools like Cursor for AI-powered code completion, Astro for keyword research, AppFigures for app analytics, and RevenueCat for handling subscriptions and in-app purchases.

What were Sebastian's expenses in running his app business?

Sebastian's expenses were relatively low. His biggest expense was RevenueCat, which took a 1% cut of his revenue. In total, his monthly expenses amounted to around $200 to $300, making the operation cost-effective.

What advice would Sebastian give to someone who is thinking of quitting their job to start an app business?

Sebastian would advise saving money beforehand and setting a clear 12-month deadline to focus on building the app. He emphasized that quitting a job provided the necessary focus and motivation to pursue his dream business, and it was important to be prepared for both successes and setbacks.