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A THREAD.
A polite ecom startup based in
I built Android & iOS apps for in 2019 just did $200,000 in ARR (Net Profit) last year. Here's what I learned from the experience:
A polite ecom startup based in
I built Android & iOS apps for in 2019 just did $200,000 in ARR (Net Profit) last year. Here's what I learned from the experience:
1/1
Never underestimate anyone or any business. Ever. At the time I was introduced to these guys they were running physical stores and primarily sold drinks. They wanted a website to sell their stuff but in the end opted for both a website and an app. This was a great move.
Never underestimate anyone or any business. Ever. At the time I was introduced to these guys they were running physical stores and primarily sold drinks. They wanted a website to sell their stuff but in the end opted for both a website and an app. This was a great move.
1/2
For consumer products/apps - what matters more than anything imo is scalable distribution channels. When you launch a store or product you can't skip doing research on who/where your customers are gonna be and what their needs are at a deep level. It helps to start niche.
For consumer products/apps - what matters more than anything imo is scalable distribution channels. When you launch a store or product you can't skip doing research on who/where your customers are gonna be and what their needs are at a deep level. It helps to start niche.
1/3
In a competitive space - being easier to use is better than being nicer to look at. Don't get me wrong a lot of time went into the design but I spent more time working on and researching local payment methods and ecom UX patterns users are already familiar with in.
In a competitive space - being easier to use is better than being nicer to look at. Don't get me wrong a lot of time went into the design but I spent more time working on and researching local payment methods and ecom UX patterns users are already familiar with in
.
1/4
Ideas don't make money automatically, ideas + good business models do. I get 2-3 messages a day from people with a 'great idea' but after asking questions about the unit economics of their idea, this is where things start to fall apart.
Ideas don't make money automatically, ideas + good business models do. I get 2-3 messages a day from people with a 'great idea' but after asking questions about the unit economics of their idea, this is where things start to fall apart.
1/4 cont.
These guys had nailed this long before reaching out to me. Before launch they were many ecom stores operating. Most have closed shop since then including Jumia. This co's rev is growing at 540% YoY. Great biz models + tech = much higher chances of success.
These guys had nailed this long before reaching out to me. Before launch they were many ecom stores operating. Most have closed shop since then including Jumia. This co's rev is growing at 540% YoY. Great biz models + tech = much higher chances of success.
1/5
Personally - My biggest regret with this project even if my portfolio wasn't as impressive then, as it is atm, was my pricing. I quoted $500 for both apps + submission + store assets. I know, it hurts (kinda). At best, I should've even kept the IP rights to the code.
Personally - My biggest regret with this project even if my portfolio wasn't as impressive then, as it is atm, was my pricing. I quoted $500 for both apps + submission + store assets. I know, it hurts (kinda). At best, I should've even kept the IP rights to the code.
1/6
Junior devs - if you're starting out it's okay to charge an hourly rate or even a 'low' but fair amount based on the scope of work. But be creative - sometimes it's better to have a commission-based contract than a one-time one. I made this mistake a lot, don't be like me.
Junior devs - if you're starting out it's okay to charge an hourly rate or even a 'low' but fair amount based on the scope of work. But be creative - sometimes it's better to have a commission-based contract than a one-time one. I made this mistake a lot, don't be like me.
1/7
As I finish this short thread - I think the one piece of advice I would give 2019 me is - keep building. build for fun. build when there's no money involved, build when you might not even ship that thing you're building because all of it will help you along the way.
As I finish this short thread - I think the one piece of advice I would give 2019 me is - keep building. build for fun. build when there's no money involved, build when you might not even ship that thing you're building because all of it will help you along the way.
1/7 cont.
For most people, you won't get it right the first time, but the more stuff you try the greater your odds. A great example of this is @PaulYacoubian and @chris__lu working on @copy_ai I'm 100% sure this isn't their first rodeo, and experience + execution =
.
For most people, you won't get it right the first time, but the more stuff you try the greater your odds. A great example of this is @PaulYacoubian and @chris__lu working on @copy_ai I'm 100% sure this isn't their first rodeo, and experience + execution =
.
Anyway! That's all for now, but if you found this thread insightful, feel free to RT! I've also been a bit stealth but only because of a ton of big ship's coming up for HC as we approach the public launch. Stay tuned! 
