Building Apps Isn’t as Expensive as You Think

Hey buddy,

Most people think building an app costs a fortune. But what if I told you it doesn’t have to?

I started my app journey with less than $1,000, no coding skills, and zero experience. 

Fast forward: I’ve done 10.9M downloads, generated 7-figure app store sales, and scaled my last app Puff Count to $44,000 MRR (now acquired).

Let me show you exactly how I did it:

There are two methods to build an app on a budget.

The first method is to acquire an existing app.

Marketplaces like Flippa or Acquire let you buy apps for as little as $50. You can filter by:

• Price: Under $1,000

• Platform: iOS

• Niche: Fitness, education, or trending categories

Whenever you’re buying an app, always do your due diligence! Ask for Profit & Loss Statements, Codebase Details, and Metrics like downloads or crash data.

Once you are ready to buy you can start making it your app:

• Transfer it to your developer account

• Add your branding and redesign if needed

• Start marketing and monetizing

If buying an existing app isn’t your thing, here’s another method that’s just as affordable:

Reskinning an App Template

Think of this like buying a pre-made app blueprint. You can find templates on CodeCanyon or Bubble for as low as $19.

Here’s how it works:

First, find a template that fits your idea. Fitness, Quiz app, AI tools, etc.

Second, make sure the template is updated recently, compatible with iOS, and ready to monetize.

Your next step is to customize it. You want a unique app, right? And don’t worry—you don’t have to code or design it yourself.

You can hire a designer to:

• Create a new app icon

• Update the onboarding screens

• Refresh the app’s visual style

And hire a developer to:

• Implement the new designs

• Add new features & content

• Remove bugs for a smooth UX

You can find top-tier designers and developers on Upwork or 99designs. In the last few years of building apps, I spent over $40,000 on UpWork freelancers. I can highly recommend it.

You will probably spend $29 for the template, $100 for a designer, and up to $800 for a developer.

In total: $929 which completes the goal of creating an app for under $1,000.

To maximize your app success, work with designers and developers as a team. Use group chats to collaborate.

And just like that, you’ve got a team. A designer, a dev, and you as the founder—for under $1,000.

Feels like a real company, doesn’t it?

What’s stopping you from building your first app? Reply to this email if you’ve got questions about starting your app journey. 

And stay tuned for the next one—we’re decoding a $500,000 MRR app!

Work 1o1 with me: https://www.joinsaasaccelerator.com/ 
Get content created for your apps: https://postedapp.com/brands

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