Planndu

Just one month after its launch, Planndu began to show promising results. In July, we secured our first three paying customers, and by August, we reached a significant milestone with 10 paying users. Initially, I introduced a reasonably priced monthly and yearly subscription plan, which garnered only one subscription. However, the game-changer that significantly boosted our sales was the introduction of a promotional code offering a free 14-day trial to new customers. Following this strategic shift, our growth skyrocketed. We witnessed a substantial influx of new sign-ups, and these new users swiftly converted into paying customers.

Over the past few weeks, I've dedicated my time to building and rigorously testing new features, and I'm thrilled to report that our efforts are paying off. While there's still much work ahead, I'm confident that Planndu is heading in the right direction!

When we launched our first public beta on Product Hunt, I made a deliberate choice to introduce a premium subscription option labeled "coming soon," even though we hadn't developed any premium features yet. I believed it was essential to signal to our users that the app had a clear roadmap and would continually evolve and improve over time.

In addition to this, I actively engaged with the community by making posts on Reddit and IndieHackers, which resulted in receiving invaluable feedback. It's easy to develop a strong bias when you're deeply involved with your own app, and seeking a variety of opinions proved to be eye-opening. I've learned that reaching out to both friends and strangers for their insights can lead to unique and valuable perspectives. So, don't hesitate to seek out diverse opinions—it's a powerful way to enhance your product's development.

To validate my theory, I understood that interviews might not be the most effective means to grasp what's functioning and what isn't. I needed the simplest version of an app, one that could be equipped with analytics to analyze actual user behavior and observe their real reactions. Ultimately, what truly matters is how users interact with your app, rather than what they merely express about it.

I dedicated myself to working tirelessly, fully aware that this approach might lead to burnout. However, I felt compelled to give that final push to confirm whether I was heading in the right direction. I coded the entire application in Android Studio using Kotlin, as it was the programming language I was most comfortable with. During this process, I didn't pay much attention to syntax or code quality; my focus was purely on speed, akin to a Hackathon-style development. In just 14 days, I managed to create the initial, albeit somewhat buggy, app. This app allowed users to create lists, prioritize tasks, and employ a Pomodoro Timer to maintain focus.

Upon reflection, I realized that there were a few features I had built that probably could have been deferred to a later stage. Nevertheless, I believe we now possess a minimum viable product (MVP), and I am exceedingly eager to begin analyzing user behavior and gauging their thoughts about the product!

"Why are you developing another to-do list app when there are already so many on the market?" This is a question I've encountered frequently since I left my full-time job to embark on the journey of creating Planndu. Allow me to shed light on why Planndu holds such significance for me and what prompted me to pursue this unconventional path.

As a software engineer, I've relied on a variety of tools to manage my tasks: to-do lists for personal chores, Kanban boards for work-related tasks, calendars for reminders, and Slack for collaboration. I've explored numerous to-do list apps, prioritization methods, and productivity techniques in a quest to enhance my time management skills. However, it wasn't until I started to work remotely, that I understood how difficult it is to combine life and work.

It made me realize the importance of minimizing context-switching, breaking tasks into smaller components, maintaining a focused approach, and taking regular breaks. The simplicity of these principles struck a chord with me, and I began implementing them in my daily life. By adhering to these straightforward guidelines, I noticed a remarkable boost in my productivity. It became abundantly clear to me that there was immense value in having a single app that could effectively manage all of one's daily tasks and responsibilities.

The revelation hit me that what we truly needed was a comprehensive productivity app that empowers individuals to handle their tasks in a way that encourages smaller, more manageable tasks, regular breaks, and a heightened focus on meaningful objectives. By offering a holistic solution that encompasses planning and execution, users could avoid the friction of switching between various tools and streamline their work processes.

With a clear vision in mind, I embarked on the journey to create the first version of Planndu. I possessed a precise understanding of what was required and how to fashion a tool that would not only benefit me but also assist others in achieving improved focus and productivity, ultimately enabling us all to accomplish more.