I launched an iOS app with no audience, no funding, and no marketing experience.
The first few weeks? Almost no downloads.
Fast forward 90 days?$1,400 in revenue.
Not a life-changing amount, but enough to prove that small indie apps can make real money. Here are six key lessons I learned from launching my first profitable app:
1. Market Research Matters More Than Code
Like many devs, I used to believe: "If I build something great, people will find it."
Wrong. If nobody is searching for your app, it doesn’t matter how well you code it.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Validate first – Check Google Trends, Reddit, and App Store reviews before coding.
- Look at competitor apps – If similar apps exist and are making money, that’s a good sign.
- Read 1-2 star reviews – Find gaps in existing apps and solve them.
I made the mistake of coding before validating, and it nearly cost me months of effort.
2. Marketing is Just as Important as Development
"Build it and they will come" is a lie.
I launched my first app without a marketing plan, and it sat in the App Store unnoticed.
Once I focused on marketing, downloads increased.
Here’s what worked:
- App Store Optimization (ASO) – Optimized my title & keywords.
- Apple Search Ads ($5/day) – Even a small ad budget can bring real users.
- Leveraging social media (Twitter, Reddit) – Sharing insights instead of spamming links.
If you don’t actively market your app, nobody will find it.
3. Monetization Needs to Be Planned From Day One
A common mistake: Launch a free app & figure out monetization later.
I started with ads. Bad move.
What works better:
- Subscriptions – The most stable revenue model.
- In-App Purchases (IAPs) – If users see value, they will pay.
- Ads (AdMob, Unity Ads) – Only effective with high traffic.
4. UX Matters More Than Perfect Code
Devs love clean, optimized code. But users don’t care.
Here’s what actually matters:
- Speed – If your app is slow, people will uninstall it.
- Simplicity – Reduce friction in onboarding.
- Intuitive UI – If users struggle to navigate, they won’t return.
I wasted time optimizing code instead of improving UX, and it hurt my retention rate.
5. Track User Behavior, Don’t Guess
Initially, I had no idea why users were leaving.
Tracking these metrics changed everything:
- Retention Rate (1-day, 7-day, 30-day) – Are users coming back?
- Session Duration – Are they staying long enough to find value?
- Conversion Rate – How many free users upgrade to paid features?
6. Most Devs Quit Too Soon
Your first version won’t be a hit. Iteration is key.
I almost gave up after:
- Weeks of $0 revenue.
- Struggling to get downloads.
- Thinking my app was a failure.
Small changes made a huge difference:
- Better onboarding = Higher retention.
- Pricing tweaks = More conversions.
Most indie devs quit too early. Those who iterate, win.
Final Thoughts: Should You Build an iOS App?
If you’re willing to:
- Validate your idea before coding.
- Market your app properly.
- Plan monetization from day one.
- Track user data instead of guessing.
Then YES, you absolutely should.
📺 I break down my full experience in this video