Quick Intro
I found a raw, honest post where a developer spent 6 months building an app—only to make zero dollars. The lessons shared are gold for anyone building software.
One-Line Plan
Validate idea ➜ Build MVP fast ➜ Market early ➜ Launch ➜ Iterate
Main Points
- No Validation – Built something “cool” but no one wanted it.
- Feature Creep – Spent months adding features no one needed.
- Over-Polished Code – Rewrote code users never saw.
- No Marketing – Thought good products market themselves.
- Ignored Competition – Discovered 3 similar apps post-launch.
- No Audience – Built in isolation, not in public.
What Worked in His Second App
- Talk to 20 users first – Validate pain points.
- MVP in 30 days – Just core features.
- Start marketing from day 1 – Build in public, share progress.
- Set hard deadline – Ship even if imperfect.
- Focus on acquisition – Don’t wait for users to come.
Sample Timeline That Worked
| Weeks | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Talk to users + make a basic prototype |
| 3–4 | Build core functionality |
| 5–6 | Launch and collect feedback |
| 7+ | Iterate based on actual usage |
Extra Tips
- Read “The Mom Test” – Learn how to ask users the right questions.
- Use waitlists or small payment trials – Test interest before building.
- Build for a real problem – Not just what’s technically cool.
- Simple > Complex – One clear problem, one clean solution.
- Beta users via Upwork – Pay $30/meeting to collect insights.
- Validate with content – Use TikToks, posts, and conversations as pre-launch marketing.
- Think like a business – “Will this sell?” not “Can I code it?”
Warnings
- Building alone ≠ traction.
- Polished UI ≠ product-market fit.
- Competition doesn’t kill you—lack of users does.
- Many spent months (or years) making $0. You’re not alone.
Mixed or Disputed Info
- “Ignore competition.” – mixed (some say it’s vital to differentiate).
- “Sell before you build.” – mixed (works best if audience trusts you).
!