Lesson 0: Why 'It Works' Isn't Enough
You built the app. The code works, tests pass, and the MVP is ready. But a technically flawless app that nobody finds, nobody bothers to install, or that everyone deletes after one use, has failed — even though every line of code works perfectly. Before diving into the technical details of App Store
Building an app isn't enough — people also need to find it, install it, and come back to it again.
- App Store submission
- The process of sending an app for Apple/Google review before it publishes publicly — including policy and technical requirement checks.
- Growth loop
- A mechanism where existing app usage generates additional usage — such as inviting friends, public content, or a habit that brings the user back.
- Rejection
- When an app store refuses to publish a version due to a policy or technical issue — requiring a fix and resubmission, which can delay a launch by weeks.
- Retention
- The measure of whether users return to an app after the first install, instead of quietly abandoning it.
