Making an App for Runners: Thoughts and Lessons Learned (Part 2)
If you missed part 1, you can go check it out here.
Fuel My Run has now been available for 7 months. I continue to learn about how the app world works and how difficult it is promote an app in the crowded running space.
If you want to listen to a recent interview I did for The App Guy Podcast, I give a fairly detailed breakdown of how I went from idea to app — all without knowing a lick about coding or app development.
1. People like free
No brainer, right? I’ve tested the price of Fuel My Run a few times — making it free on iTunes for a day or two. When it went free, there was definitely an influx of downloads. On one occasion, I noted lots of downloads from Saudi Arabia — perhaps there is an ultra-running scene there that I don’t know about?
I am still on the fence regarding permanently removing the price tag from Fuel My Run and making it free. That’s what all the big apps do, but part of me still believes their is room for niche running apps that people will be willing to pay for.
As you can see in the downloads chart below, the first arrow indicates when I went free and the second arrow indicates when I went back to $1.99. Downloads soared and then it was crickets.
2. Talking to an app expert
I was fortunate to have had an hour long conversation with Stuart Hall. As an app developer with many years experience under his belt, Stuart was kind enough to offer some tips from his experience that could help Fuel My Run gain traction.
I won’t go into the entire conversation, but here are a couple of key takeaways from my chat with Stuart were:
- Go hard on your difference. My app is for half marathon and marathon runners and helps them fuel properly. I need to continue to focus on these runners are be comfortable with the fact that weekend warriors looking to lose a few pounds by running won’t be interested.
- iTunes reviews do help, so ask for them. In one of my recent updates, I asked people to leave a nice rating for Fuel My Run if they found the app useful. Nothing pushy, just a reminder. Also, I had a popup asking for app reviews that popped the 5th time a user opened the app. So, I thought about it. I’ve got my running gear on, am outside and turning on Fuel My Run to track my run and then a popup message appears on my screen asking for a rating. Piss off mate — I just want to go run! So, the more Stuart and I chatted, we figured a better time to ask for a rating would be once a run is done. You’re sitting on your front porch, the endorphins are flowing, you’re checking out your run stats — life is good. A much better time to ask for a review!
3. Creativity
It’s reassuring to remind myself that the app building process is a creative outlet for me. I have a day job and do not rely on downloads to help put food on the table.
4. Long-haul
Building a useful tool for a small, passionate and engaged group of runners — that’s my goal. This will take time I know. But I am not in a rush.
Wrapping up
What are your thoughts?
What are the coolest new features in a running app you’ve used lately?
Lastly, I know this is not a “health & fitness” article per se, but from time to time, I like sharing what’s happening with my projects. I hope you enjoy.
Cheers.
