Show HN: Building an iOS app as a solo dev - $1,400 revenue in 90 days
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.
I built my first app based on what I "thought" was a good idea. Big mistake.
If nobody is searching for your solution, it doesn’t matter how well you build it.
- Validate first: Check Google Trends, Reddit, and App Store reviews before coding.
2. Marketing is just as important as development.
"Build it and they will come" is a lie.
- Use App Store Optimization (ASO) to rank in search.
- Leverage Apple Search Ads (even with a $5/day budget).
3. Monetization needs to be planned from day one.
I started with ads. Bad move.
- Subscriptions provide more stable revenue.
- In-App Purchases work well if users see real value.
4. UX matters more than perfect code.
I spent weeks optimizing my code. Users didn’t care.
- Speed and ease of use are more important than code quality.
- Reduce friction in onboarding to keep users engaged.
5. Track user behavior, don’t guess.
Initially, I had no idea why users left.
- Retention rate and session duration tell the real story.
- Fix UX issues based on data, not gut feeling.
6. Most devs quit too soon.
I almost gave up after weeks of $0 revenue.
Iteration is key – small improvements drive long-term results.
I break down the full experience in this video: https://youtu.be/y0hNXf4wwQU