#9 App launch update: now available for everyone! Road to 1.000 installations
Following the learn-by-doing approach, in September 2024 I started working on my first app, Drinklytics, now live. In these articles I share my journey, ideally once a month
📝 Some context 📑
In the last update I talked about how my closed test was moving forward. I implemented the main feedback received during the test, the ones that seemed to bring the most value.
I currently have a nice backlog loaded with new features to be implemented, which I aim to implement following the roadmap drawn at the beginning and readjusted sprint by sprint.
I finally requested Google to go into production. I knew I would have to answer to a kind of questionnaire, and I did, but it felt like a pro forma step rather than something really impactful.
Once I responded, within a couple of days, I was given the okay for production, so I created a new release, asking to be published.
It took about seven days to receive feedback from Google, which was negative.
🚧 Problems, development and solutions 🔧
When I received the email notification I rushed to read it thinking about the possible reasons.
In the end it was a small thing, the privacy policy was in a pdf hosted on the app site, but Google requires it to be a page, linked from the app too.
After the change, the app was immediately accepted, and Drinklytics is now officially on the Play Store! 🎉
Now that the app is public, I will dedicate more time to promoting it, without interrupting its development.
Following the build-in-public approach I had already started to tell the story of the journey on X (no more), Mastodon and Bluesky, in a very discontinuous way.
My focus was on development, moreover I have to admit that the initial enthusiasm had clashed quite a bit with the daily routine of life.
Regarding the SEO and ASO aspects, I had done an initial analysis that allowed me to set up a bit of the basis of everything, but I have room to work on organic positioning.
Each phase of the app's processing focused on very specific aspects, because time is always short for side projects. Now that I have achieved the first goal, however, I can refocus and reprioritize.
📈 Numbers and goals 🎯
Wanting to maintain the transparency of the narrative, these are the final numbers from this testing period:
- 120 landing page visits
- 24 form views (20%)
- 6 closed test joiners (5%)
In total, 32 people were given access to the test. Thanks to all of them!
As I said, with the app finally on the Play Store, the first goal is achieved. Now what?
Now I think the most interesting metric is active installations.
Since I start with few active installations - despite the 32 user of the test, only 15 active installations result - any number would be fine as a goal.
I choose 1.000, a round number and one that can represent a first challenge.
If you want to contribute to this goal, you can download the app using the button above, or share it with people who might find it useful. It may seem spartan now, but I am already working on new features.
Thanks for following along so far, stay tuned for future updates.
As always, I welcome any feedback you would like to share and network.
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