The power of micro-SaaS A step-by-step roadmap to building Shopify Apps:

Micro-SaaS is an excellent way for developers to learn marketing. But it's also a business that is super profitable to run. But a micro-SaaS is still a business and you can't start one and expect it to grow without doing anything

The process for a Shopify App: 1. Problem 2. Idea validation 3. Launch 4. Support 5. Data Analysis 6. Iteration

1. Problem When building a Shopify App, the best solution is to focus on a problem. Your merchants already use the Shopify platform. When they want to do something not here natively, they install Shopify Apps.

This is why finding a problem is critical. If many people have this problem then you'll have more installs. It becomes more complicated as the number of apps increases. And the problems are not related anymore to the platform but the existing apps.

People will try an app but if they can't do something on that app, they will find another one. What's great is that needs evolve so there is always room for more apps.

2. Idea Validation Finding a problem is not enough. You have to validate it. Or you'll spend weeks building something nobody wants. You need to get in touch with merchants.

And to find merchants you have to think like a merchant. Then you have to go where they already are Where would you go online or offline if you were a merchant? Private Communities? Meetups? Events? Then talk to as many people as possible.

3. Launch Getting early users is critical for a Shopify App as competition increases. A good launch on the app store is: - 1 App listing "unlisted" so you can test your app with your early users - 10 reviews at least the moment you launch - Optimized listing

The algorithm of the App Store will push your app in front of more people if you have these criteria. Your ranking on the app store will be higher so you'll attract people and Shopify will start recommending your app to existing merchants.

4. Support Once you get traction you have to focus your energy on support. Shopify merchants expect great support and it's also the number 1 reason people leave a review. More reviews = better ranking = more users.

Non-exhausting list for support: - Add helpdesk - Add live chat - Reply fast - Create support processes for problems to fix them fast - Prioritize support over something else

5. Data Analysis Once you start to get people and your app is running you can analyze your data. What's working? What metrics can you improve?

List of metrics to check: - Conversion Rate (App Store) - Activation Rate (# of people finishing onboarding) - Conversion Rate (Free to Paying user) - Churn - ARPU

Don't focus on Acquisition if your metrics are terrible or it won't make sense

6. Iteration Now it's time to iterate. Improve your app listing, start getting more people, improve what needs to be improved, etc... But you now have the base to grow your Shopify App.

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