If you’ve ever dreamed of building and selling your own app—but got overwhelmed by where to start—this is the post for you. I’m going to walk you through how to:
- Come up with a profitable app idea
- Build it (with or without coding experience)
- Market it online
- Make your very first dollar
No fluff. Just the exact playbook I’ve used to go from hobby projects to generating thousands in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
Why Should You Listen to Me?
I’ve built 14+ apps over the past few years, and while most of them didn’t make a dime, a few small changes turned things around. Last year, I started making a few hundred dollars, and now I’m at a few thousand dollars/month in recurring revenue.
No, I’m not some $100K/month SaaS guru on Twitter. I’m just a regular guy who loves building apps and sharing what I learn. If you’re just starting out, I’m probably a lot closer to where you are than most of the internet’s tech millionaires.
Step 1: Come Up With a Profitable App Idea (By Copying)
Let me be blunt: you don’t need an original idea.
If you’re trying to make your first dollar, skip the user interviews and validation calls that Y Combinator recommends for billion-dollar startups.
Instead, copy an idea that’s already working. Other apps have already done the hard work of proving the market exists. Why not leverage that?
Think of it like opening a hamburger restaurant—just because McDonald’s exists doesn’t mean there’s no room for another one.
💡 Pro tip: Find inspiration by browsing app ads on Twitter, Reddit, TikTok, or Instagram. If it looks like it’s getting traction, build your own version.
That’s exactly how I built Monty, an AI meeting transcription tool. I saw tools like Otter.ai and Fireflies blowing up, so I rebuilt a basic version, then added my own twist over time. Within two weeks of launch, Monty hit $1,000 MRR.
Step 2: Build the App (With or Without Coding Skills)
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned dev, the advice here applies to you.
🖥 Best Tech Stack for Web Apps
- Frontend + Backend: Next.js
- Hosting: Vercel
- Backend (Auth, DB, Storage): Supabase
- Payments: Stripe
- Analytics + A/B Testing: PostHog
These tools are popular, which means you’ll find tons of help, Stack Overflow posts, and AI support when you run into bugs.
💡 Stop worrying about finding the “perfect” stack. Go with what’s well-supported and get building.
📱 Best Tech Stack for Mobile Apps
- Cross-platform: Expo (based on React Native)
- iOS only: Swift
- Android only: Kotlin
Again, don’t overcomplicate it. Use Expo if you’re building for both iOS and Android. It’s beginner-friendly and well-documented.
Step 3: Market and Sell Your App Online
This is where most devs get stuck. You can build a killer product—but if no one knows it exists, it’s worthless.
🚀 Social Media Marketing
📱 Short-form Video (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts)
- Study what other apps are doing.
- Copy their format.
- Make it your own.
No one cares about originality—only whether your content grabs attention. Viral formats work. Use them.
🧵 Reddit Marketing
- Find relevant subreddits (e.g., r/Entrepreneur, r/SaaS, r/Productivity).
- Lurk. Then leave helpful, non-spammy comments recommending your app as a solution.
- Be mindful of subreddit rules—some are strict about self-promotion.
Bonus: Reddit posts often rank high on Google, so your comment might keep driving traffic for months.
Try tools like GummySearch or Reddit Keyword Monitor Pro to track relevant keywords and jump in on fresh threads.
🔍 SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
SEO takes time, but it’s worth it.
Start by:
- Writing blog posts that solve problems your app addresses
- Embedding keywords your audience is likely to search
- Commenting on related posts across forums or guest blogs
Not sure where to start? Use tools like Ahrefs or Ubersuggest to find low-competition keywords.
🤝 Influencer Marketing
This one’s expensive, but high impact.
- DM micro-influencers in your niche.
- Offer them a free trial or affiliate deal.
- Negotiate paid shoutouts if budget allows.
Influencer campaigns can take your product from zero to thousands of users overnight—but finding the right fit is key.
Final Thoughts (And What I’d Focus On)
If you’re building your first app and just want to make that first dollar:
- Copy a working idea
- Build fast with Next.js + Vercel or Expo + Supabase
- Market like crazy on TikTok and Reddit
- Ignore the noise—tech perfection doesn’t matter, progress does
Building apps and selling them online is one of the most fun, profitable things you can do as a developer or entrepreneur. So get to it. Build that thing, ship it, and make your first dollar.
Tools Mentioned in This Post
Need help with idea validation or your app landing page? Drop a comment below or DM me. I’m happy to share what’s worked for me—and what hasn’t.
👉 Also check out Buildspace and Indie Hackers for communities of builders just like you.
