I’ve launched eight apps across six different categories. Along the way, I’ve picked up a few lessons worth sharing. Not a playbook, just honest notes from the process.
Start with the problem, not the product
Every app I’ve built started with a real frustration. MindMellow came from wanting a calmer way to wind down. FinFocus came from wishing personal finance tools were simpler. LingoLuz came from wanting language practice that actually felt engaging.
I didn’t start with “let me build an app.” I started with “why doesn’t this exist yet?” That distinction matters. When the problem is clear, the product decisions become easier: what to include, what to cut, and when to ship.
Ship before you’re ready
My first versions were rough. Limited features, basic design, a few embarrassing bugs. But getting real users early changed everything. Feedback from actual people using the app is worth more than months of planning.
The temptation to polish forever is real, especially when every detail feels personal. But I learned to draw a line: if it solves the core problem, ship it. You can improve everything else with updates.
The App Store review process is its own skill
If you’ve never submitted an app to the App Store, prepare yourself. The review process is thorough, and rejections happen, sometimes for reasons that aren’t immediately obvious.
A few things I learned the hard way:
- Your app’s description and screenshots matter as much as the app itself. Reviewers check everything.
- Privacy labels need to be precise. Don’t guess. Audit your data collection carefully.
- If you use subscriptions, every detail of your paywall and trial flow gets scrutinized.
- When you get rejected, read the feedback carefully. The fix is usually simpler than you think.
Don’t build eight apps at once
To be clear, I didn’t. Each app had its own timeline, and I staggered launches. Trying to build everything in parallel would have buried me. I’d finish one, stabilize it, learn from it, and carry those lessons into the next.
The benefit of building across categories is that each app taught me something different. Stellar Crush taught me about engagement loops. LunaWell taught me about handling sensitive health data responsibly. AllezLearn taught me about structuring educational content. Every app made the next one better.
Keep your scope ruthlessly small
Feature creep is the enemy. I’ve killed more features than I’ve shipped, and that’s a good thing. Every feature adds maintenance, complexity, and potential for bugs.
My rule: if a feature doesn’t directly serve the core use case, it waits. It goes on a list. Maybe it ships in v2, maybe it never ships. Either way, v1 stays focused.
Being independent is a feature
I don’t have investors telling me to grow at all costs. I don’t have a board pushing me toward aggressive monetization. That means I can make decisions that are good for users first: fair pricing, no dark patterns, no data selling.
Independence isn’t always easy. Resources are limited, and there’s no safety net. But it gives me the freedom to build the kind of apps I’d actually want to use myself. That’s worth protecting.
What’s next
I’m still learning. Every update, every new app, every user email teaches me something. If you’re building your own apps, especially as a solo developer, know that the messy middle is normal. The path from idea to App Store is never a straight line, and that’s okay.
Thanks for following along. More posts coming soon.