Day 18/30 To get or not to get "The APP"

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, where things move fast-paced, my second venture revolved around building a tech-based startup! A Super Cool geo-location-based networking app that helps mothers swipe and meet other like-minded mothers for playdates and coffee catch-ups based on kids’ age, common interests, and favorite times to meet. The app enabled mothers to filter their search and reach out to like-minded mothers. The platform eventually also added a scope to kickstart interest-based conversations. connecting mothers to trusted brands and experts.

Eventually, a Tech Startup Around Community, Moved to be a Community startup, enabled by technology!

See the story below and my learnings!

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The decision to build an app is no small feat. My journey began with a vision, a problem to solve, and the burning desire to make a difference. I'll share the crucial steps and considerations that shaped my path from a mere idea to a thriving app, the mistakes and learnings, my 2 cents and if I would do it any differently nexttime.

Defining the Dream:

Identify Your Niche

The spark ignited when I identified a gap in the market. My app was to be a solution, a game-changer for a specific audience facing a particular challenge. If I could convert this idea and execute it, it could be a game changer in the Asian Region where there was no other player. The IDEA ( as told to me by Numereous) was LEGENDARY!!!

Business Type

As I was diving into the world of creating a technology startup, creating something entirely new, I knew I had to get Too Big too Fast to be able to venture into the space. but Little did I Know (Truly know) - What it means to develop an app. It doesn't end just there.

It wasn't about finding the vendor who could develop it for me, but all the other considerations I now know so much about.

I was Fixated on getting this Legendary Idea To the Market, Which I did awesomely ( Proud of myself for what I pulled), but What was Next? How do you grow it, scale it, and keep it running, what about the costs, the Revenue, the ROI, the Development, The Bug Fixes, the Customer Feedback the Next Phase of Development the Operationality of the app, the Clunkiness, the rotational team, the backend development, the database and security of the information, The Dissolution of Team due to COVID and most importantly your mind space as a solo founder all through this!

Phew! I got tired just writing the tip of the iceberg!

Navigating the Unknown:

Market Research

I had done my research and was willing to take a RISK. A super expensive RISK, thanks to the one who has been supporting me and my brave decisions as i navigate choppy waters. I was keeping my finger on the pulse of trends. For me It was about more than just an app; it was about fitting it into a dynamic ecosystem of support. In my mind, FAR FAR AWAY down the ROAD, it was to be The place to be in ASIA to find Support. [ I WAS TOO BIG IN THE VISION] & [ way tooooo small a team, if I may even call it a team then.]

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Every dream comes at a cost. This was a super expensive one. But One I was willing to take to try and do something that was not easy. so I knew my ceiling, and each of my decisions has been to keep it under that benchmark!

A cost-benefit analysis helped me understand the risks, the long-term skin in the game, the challenges, and the potential returns once a breakpoint would hit. It was a daunting task, but one that separated wishful thinking from planning.

Blueprint for Success:

Phased Development

I had broken down the feature development of the app into two phases. Which was great only if I had taken customer feedback from users to ask, check, know, brainstorm, and discuss if they even needed a phase 2! Before I knew it, I had it developed.

I should have done a deeper customer survey, before I invested more into the development if they would be willing to pay for more services. Breaking down the colossal task of any app/website development into manageable phases, even though I had started with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), it would have been great If I had kept testing the market, and users at every point within the development to check if that is exactly what your user wants.

Make testing the waters a part of your feature development offer before diving into the next phase of your development.

Team Structure

You may have the idea and an outsourced team to develop your MVP. But if you are a TECH STARTUP where your USP is your Technology., Build the right team, the right way! Developers, designers, marketing experts — each member brings a unique skill to the table, creating a synergy that fuels progress. I was borrowing these roles. It is key to understand that a tech startup is different to running a tech-enabled startup!! Either ways you need a Clone Team Member who can take over the operations and managing the different stake holders in your borrowed team. An agency or a freelancer: One Person cannot handle a team of 8 and also be the founder of the company looking at its growth, fundraising, community building, and events!

It sure is one amazing recipe for disaster for the item on the menu of founders called BURN OUT!

Your borrowed team may create and handover your MVP, but who is actually going to run it??

Investment Strategy

Money matters. From initial investments to ongoing expenses, to what it takes to run an app. A snippet is here:

Development Costs, Graphic U/X Designer Input Costs, Company Registration Costs, One Time/Annual Renewal Costs, App Team COSTS ($$$$). I am not saying do not do it. But know what you are going to do about it!!

Technology as the Canvas:

Choose the Right Platform

Selecting the platform - iOS, Android, or both - was akin to choosing the canvas for an artist. It dictated the reach, accessibility, and overall user experience. I was ALL IN . So I went For a Hybrid Ionic Platform Supporting both technologies and platforms to develop. Ofcouse a better strategy would have been.. To launch on Android ( which is definitely cheaper), play around, sort the clunks, the flow, the testing , the renewals the feedbacks and create a ROBUST LEVEL 1 system, before the same is done for iOS. [ Only if I had asked and researched others who had launched apps then].. alas!!

A Fully launched Phase 1 MVP on the market for both iOS and Android on

March 15, 2019.

The last day of crowdfunding!

The first day of APP!

The most downloads ever within a span of 6 hours!

Scalability

The architecture was the backbone of my app. It needed to be robust, scalable, ready to grow with the user base. Having a fair idea on how important Database structures are and how a strong foundation on SQL experience I had, I was clear on how the backend admin dashboard had to be navigated. For me the backend was raw. no design. no fluff. simple plain click based execution and analytics on dashboard!

The app can be launched across the world, in any country now at the click of a button!

Scalability yes. At a COST, definitely yes.

Better option: Simplify model for one country. Add scalability in phase 2 ( if needed)

Building for the User:

Features

My users were at the heart of it all. These were people I met at events, crossed paths in playdates, and discussed issues over coffee catchups. Prioritizing features based on their needs, feedback, and overall experience was like crafting a tailored solution. I did that. A lot! I just didn't realize that feedback ideally should be a cyclical circular thing, it is not to be stopped! As time passes, needs change. How does one adapt with that. Find new users or broaden your horizon for your loyal customers.

User Experience (UX)

The interface wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about creating an experience. A seamless, intuitive interface was the bridge between the user and the solution. Like all other things, we believe we can do it well. Ideas behind most of the aesthetics for the app was created by truly yourself on Canva.. but the real impact of it was done by the outsourced team.

Monetization Magic:

Revenue Streams

I was behind the idea of serving and getting the numbers on members , because if the members come, the $$ come. I couldn't be more wrong. Not that it did not happen. But having a Model where Day 1 atleast a $1 was part of the platform would have been a game changer! As much as you wish to serve, never leave money on the table!

Deciding on stable revenue streams has been a struggle. Would it come directly from the app, through subscriptions or in-app purchases, or indirectly via advertising and partnerships. Would it come via events, affilates, dropshipping or e_commerce?

Funny thing: I have tried it all!! ( Offline and Online )

Sailing the Operational Seas:

Maintenance is a BIG CHUNK!

Once your app launches, that DAY 1 of the journey. Regular updates, bug fixes, and feature enhancements, every user's feedback mattered. Establishing effective customer support channels, emails, new users, new brands, new expert listing was more than a service; it was a commitment to the people who believed in my vision.

Adapt or Perish:

In due course, regulations change, industries evolve, platforms have stricter policies. Staying informed, updated was not just a necessity; it was the key to adapting the app to shifting landscapes. It became the basics to exist on the platforms, let alone thrive! From design to features, API's and SDK's involved, the app needed to be adaptable. It wasn't just about predicting changes; it was about being ready to embrace them. It was about having a team on board to be able to do it.. But where was the ROI?

Conclusion:

Building an app isn’t just about code and algorithms; it's a journey. A journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and a continuous quest for improvement. The journey of my app isn’t just a testament to ideaion to execution. It is also about learning execution to marketing. It is also about learning that running a tech startup is about pillars. Pillars, led by different team members. It is a testament to adaptability, user-centric design, and a relentless pursuit of the dream that creats impact.

As I reflect on my odyssey, I see not just an app but a story—a story of innovation, perseverance, and the ever-thrilling adventure of turning dreams into reality.

I also see the granularity of the user-centric data, the clicks, the swipes, the messages, the connections, the offline impact, and how it was so difficult to plug a hole in that leaky bucket!!

Nevertheless, being able to code, learn a different coding language , be able to do bug fixing, HTML and CSS Issues, develop features and email automations, brainstorm flows, work through database architectures after 20 years of leaving the technology industry, It has been an amazing amazing costly journey!!