I think I've peaked with dev ideas for my app - but revenue is still missing
So I've been working on my browser, Snap Search since more than a year now. There was a time when I was making $200 a month with it.. But from the past couple of months, it seems to have really mellowed down - a lot.
I used to post quite frequently here as well. But haven't since a while. I spent the past 2 months deep drowned in code, restructuring, improving and making it work so much faster and better. I've also added very solid features - so much so that I'm sure it's probably the best working version of itself it ever has been. In a way that if it would do $200 before, this should easily do at LEAST double that - it's so good in comparison.
And speaking without bias - this does have quite a few really solid advantages. Just don't know why free users aren't converting so much anymore..
I think I need to get back into the flow of probably marketing a bit more now, spreading the word and stuff like that. But I'm feeling a bit 'unmotivated' I fear. Or lazy. Or both.
There was a time when I had an offer from 2 different individuals to buy the app at around 40x MRR quite a few months ago which I rejected. may be I was wrong at doing so?
Or may be this is just a phase?
Hey Rajat. I understand how painful what you're going through is.
To me you should stop focusing so much on the product and find high-leverage distribution channel.
Who is paying for your product? Where are they?
What did the trick for me was to find one very strong distributor and create an affiliate partnership with him.
I did not look into your product, but your free version might be too good. Add limitations and push your users toward the paid version.
Good luck out there. Continue to believe in what you created.
Thank you!
Will definitely keep your suggestions in mind.
Wish you all the best too :)
Hey Rajat, it sounds like a lot of the problem is based in understanding distribution. How would new users hear about your product? Are your current users engaged enough to start recommending it to friends?
Privacy is definitely a huge concern but most people in the world stop short of paying to achieve it. So with that in mind, how can build a product that people "want" to pay for or is there some other way to monetize the product!
I'm happy to do a deeper chat if you would find that helpful, dm me @ https://twitter.com/snowingpines
Users don't care about features.
They care about their own personal struggles and whether your app can solve them.
Stop building features and start talking to and really understanding your users.
The problem with the 2nd part is, there is hardly any way of actually communicating with the users much. My browsers all about privacy and stuff. No login/sign up, no forms, no email collecting. MAX I can do is push notifications. But how many of those can I even keep sending right?
Then you need to refocus your efforts into finding a way.
New features aren't the answer unless you know they are the features your audience needs. If you don't know your audience then you have no direction here.
Even a privacy based app could have a support us/leave feedback option discretely in the menu.
People leave public reviews on play store/itunes etc which open communication channels.
Find online forums where privacy audience gather and start conversations about your app and what people need.
Countless ways to gather insights if you think out of the box.
Once you really know your customer, then drive marketing efforts to finding like minded users to expand the userbase.
Hey bud! I've been rooting for you since we talked earlier in the year. My message now is the same as it was then, when you were having the same problem - if you're product is everything for everyone, then no one will understand why or how to use it. You could say your niche is privacy-focused people, but as was mentioned in another comment, find out where those who are really into that are chatting, and join that conversation to get closer to them.
Another idea would be to advertise through dev industry influencers, sponsoring podcasts, tutorials, etc. At least then you would find international people who would understand what you've got and possibly be interested in privacy and especially the VPN.
We chatted in March because I could see the potential for your product in niche industries, specifically legal, that I work in. As an example, during this pandemic domestic violence has risen dramatically, so people would be trying to discreetly look for help online...
Unfortunately the best product is not the one that wins.
The product that everyone knows about is.
I would stop developing the app and focus 90% of your time on distribution and promotion.
"The product that everyone knows about is." - truer words are rarely spoken.
Yes that's what the plan is! Focus less on development now :)