Why does my app feel like a ghost town?
Heard this before?
You spent months coding, designing, testing.
Launched it. Crickets.
Turns out, building an app isn’t just about flashy tech.
It’s about solving real problems without making users think.
Let me show you where most apps fail – and how to fix it.
Problem 1: Your App Feels Like a Chore, not a Tool
Ever downloaded an app, then deleted it 10 seconds later?
Yeah. Me too.
Here’s why:
- Too many steps to do one simple thing.
- Cluttered interfaces that look like a toddler’s sticker collection.
- Features nobody asked for (looking at you, “social sharing” button on a calculator app).
Fix it:
- Ask: “What’s the ONE thing users open this app for?” Build around that.
- Cut features ruthlessly. If it’s not essential, bin it.
- Test your app with your mum. If she can’t use it in 15 seconds, simplify.
Why 1v1 Video Call & Chat Features Are Secretly Game-Changing
Let’s get specific.
Say you’re building a fitness app.
You’ve got workouts, meal plans, progress tracking. Solid.
But why do people quit?
Loneliness. No accountability.
Add a 1v1 video call with a coach. Or a 1v1 chat for quick check-ins.
Boom.
Suddenly, users feel seen.
They’re not just tapping buttons – they’re talking to a real human.
Apps like Calm and Noom do this. Retention rates? Sky-high.
Key takeaway:
Humans crave connection.
If your app feels transactional, it’s dead.
Add a human layer.
Problem 2: You’re Obsessed with Downloads, Not Daily Users
100k downloads. 500 daily actives.
Ouch.
Vanity metrics don’t pay bills.
Focus on this instead:
- Time spent per session (Is your app sticky?)
- Retention after 7 days (Do people care?)
- Net Promoter Score (Would users recommend you?)
How to improve:
- Send push notifications that help, not harass. Example: “Your 3PM meeting starts in 10 mins. Need a caffeine boost?” (Linked to a coffee-ordering feature).
- Use streaks, rewards, or mini-challenges. Duolingo’s owl isn’t annoying – it’s strategic.
- Let users customize their experience. Example: Let them hide features they don’t use.
Problem 3: Your Tech Stack Is a Frankenstein Monster
React Native? Flutter? Swift?
Doesn’t matter.
Users don’t care what you built it with – they care if it works.
But here’s what they do notice:
- Laggy animations.
- Crashes during checkout.
- Battery drain worse than a Netflix binge.
Avoid disaster:
- Test on actual devices, not simulators. That $50 Android phone from 2018? Test on it.
- Monitor performance metrics like a hawk. Tools like Firebase Crashlytics are free. Use them.
- Optimize images. A 10MB splash screen isn’t “high-quality” – it’s sabotage.
How to Monetize Without Being a Sellout
Ads. Subscriptions. In-app purchases.
All valid – if done right.
What works:
- Freemium models where the free version is actually useful. Evernote’s free tier? Still great.
- Tiered subscriptions (Basic, Pro, Ultra). Let users upgrade when they’re hooked.
- Non-intrusive ads that match user intent. Example: A recipe app showing grocery delivery ads.
What doesn’t:
- Pop-up ads before the app even loads.
- “Premium-only” features that should be free (like dark mode).
- Hiding the “cancel subscription” button 7 menus deep.
Final Mistake: You’re Not Watching Real People Use Your App
Your team thinks the UX is “intuitive.”
Reality? Users get lost in a maze of buttons.
Fix this yesterday:
- Run weekly usability tests. Offer $10 Starbucks vouchers for 15-minute feedback sessions.
- Heatmap tools like Hotjar show where users tap, scroll, rage-quit.
- Read App Store reviews. Yes, even the 1-star rants.
Bottom Line:
Building apps isn’t about coding prowess.
It’s about empathy.
Solve a problem. Make it effortless. Add a human touch.
Do that, and you’ll build something people want – not just download.
