Building an app has become the next in thing for techies these days. It all begins with an idea and with a little brainstorming, support and crowd funding can be floated easily. But, how many can stay afloat amidst competition over minute feature variations, the same set of target audiences and limited content? Well, that's the catch. Constant upgradations and uniqueness have definitely played a role in the journey of survival apps. We bring you few such stories:
Snapchat – Well, the introduction was inspired by Snapchat; launched in September 2011 by Evan Spiegel while giving a presentation in Stanford class. The idea was so well received that he went on to seriously pursue it. Assuming Teenagers as its user base, Snapchat app focussed on two things: privacy and selectivity. It has three features namely Snaps, Stories and Chat with disappearing functionality that precisely serves the above two purposes. Snap is the app's main feature that makes images or video (max 10 seconds long) disappear as soon as checked by the intended person. Stories are a mix of many images also 10 sec long but last 24 hours for public and follower viewing. Chat is a one-one personalized messaging feature with the same disappearing effect.
Snapchat's decision of not selling out to FB followed by launching Discover (monetization and brand partnership product), getting their first sponsored geo filters by McDonalds and GE, switching core functionality of holding a finger to view snaps to click and introducing lenses to take cool selfies changed its entire direction. With The White House joining Snapchat in Jan 2016, the app reached a new milestone.
Dropbox – This under-rated app showed the business world how referral marketing is done. To begin with, Dropbox offers an online storage space for free while connecting it parallel to all devices through a standard account. To create an account, a user needs to sign up and request an invite. This feature assesses a user's interest towards the app; the post which they can start sending, receiving and storing files.
Now, for expansion Dropbox opted for growth hack strategy (acquiring customers in scale rather than one customer at a time through various schemes). This started with Refer a Friend scheme in return of 500 MB extra storage space per friend, connecting a user's social media account to Dropbox gifting 125 MB extra space in return and engaging users by conducting Dropquest (quiz fun). Dropbox since the beginning was known as a spam free platform with simple functionality and convenient hosting. Which is also why it saw a 40 times growth in customer base within 15 months.
WhatsApp – It is ironical how founders Jan Koum, Brian Acton were once turned down as Facebook employees are today heading a business venture for them. On the hindsight, a lot of hardship stories are heard of. From its idea to final launch in 2009, a lot of beta testing was involved. The founders having worked earlier in Yahoo, knew what clicked as an app and therefore focussed on building simple UI, clear communication tool and an ads free platform.
The earnings began right from the first month by charging first-time installation fee for iPhone users and annually to Android users. Surprisingly, 125 Mn people were ready to pay, and WhatsApp was an instant success. Time and again they did necessary changes for different mobile platforms (Apple users) before getting acquired by Facebook for a whopping 19$ Mn. Later advancement includes introducing free calling feature and a plan to provide communication solutions to businesses being in progress.
Truecaller–Truecaller app turned out a savior for people concerned about safety and privacy. It shows detailed information of caller's name, location and registered number even if it's not a part of the user's phonebook, eventually blocking ones that's unnecessary. The premium version (paid) of this app helps the user in finding a lost friend's number by simply typing their name in the Truecaller's search box. The app also allows inviting people from different social media forums. Currently, it is run by 3G and Wi-Fi networks. Boasting of more than 120Mn users worldwide, Truecaller is available in 35 languages. Their revenue model is based on big businesses looking for target audience's number for customer support and related services. As far as competition is concerned, Hello App by Facebook (launched in 2015providing Facebook accurate information to users) is the only relevant one but is yet to catch up with Truecaller's diversified database. Many apps like Truecaller, Mobogenie, DigiLocker give you special powers as a user, which make them our favorites.
FB Messenger – Facebook is a global Internet phenomenon today, and only aliens on Earth are unaware of it. FB Messenger app came as an extension of the social space allowing friends to chat using various emoticons. It later took a risk by detaching itself from Facebook and appeared as a standalone messaging service. Despite facing competition from WhatsApp (before acquisition) and Hike messengers, the loyal Facebook friend list came to its rescue.A lot of user criticism surfaced for occupying additional app storage space, but with a sign up through name and mobile number only feature (without a need to have FB account), FB Messenger app was safe again. Since then, the app has expanded to cater all devices, not just phones.
Few things are here to stay, and the journey of above apps proves just that. Do you like any of these apps? Let us know in the comments.