Getting your no-code app to 250,000 downloads doesn't happen by accident—it takes targeted growth strategies that most app builders overlook. Axel Meta cracked the code, and his proven tactics can help you scale your own app.
Axel built his successful app using Adalo—a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This multi-platform approach was key to his growth, giving him access to massive app store audiences and the ability to leverage push notifications for user engagement.
From optimizing your app store listing to experimenting with monetization, here are the exact growth hacks Axel used to reach a quarter-million downloads.
Here’s how Axel Meta managed to grow his no-code Adalo app to over 250,000 downloads. His strategies, tips, and ideas are sure to get you going on the right track to scaling your app.
This is how he did it!
- Highlight the Problem You’re Trying to Solve
The first thing that we did really well is to target the app to a specific problem and make sure that that problem was inside our apps title on the App Store and Play Store. That allows people who search for a solution to that specific problem to find your app really easily.
- Experiment with Monetization
The next step that I would recommend is experiment with monetization of your app. I think Google makes your app rank higher if you monetize your app.
From what I’ve seen (Disclaimer: this is just my experience!), the earlier you start monetizing your service, the earlier Facebook, Google, Apple might rank your app. I'm not sure if that's a actual fact, but it has worked for me.
The moment we started monetizing, we got more downloads.
- Get A Really Good App Icon
The next thing is really iterate on the app icon. That's the first thing people see on the app store about your app. Make sure that shows the problem or has a really clear indication of what it is.
- Target a Specific Niche
Targeting a specific niche always works, and helps people find what they’re looking for. I knew people needed to convert meeting notes and WhatsApp audio notes. So I made sure that our titles had convert audio to text meetings.
I also realized that when searching, a lot of people don’t know the word ‘transcription’. They often think of it as ‘translation’. Or some people don't know either transcription or translation, they search for convert audio to text. So by using the words ‘translate audio to text’, I was able to help people find what they were looking for.
So knowing how to communicate your offering based on what your audience uses to describe their problem is something that will help you get seen and be discovered by the right people on the app stores.
Want to know more about growing your app business? Check out the Adalo App Academy
It has a library of incredible, FREE resources to help you navigate the world of building a no-code app, running a business, freelancing, and more! Here’s some resources that may interest you:
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FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I easily grow my no-code app to hundreds of thousands of downloads? | Yes, with Adalo's No Code App Builder, you can easily build and scale your app to reach massive download numbers. By following proven strategies like targeting specific problems, optimizing your app store presence, and experimenting with monetization, Adalo users like Axel Meta have grown their apps to over 250,000 downloads. |
| Why choose Adalo over other App Builder solutions? | Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This seamless publishing capability is a major advantage because getting your app into the app stores is key to marketing and distribution, which is often the hardest part of launching a new app or business. With Adalo, you can focus on growth strategies rather than technical hurdles. |
| How important is the app title for getting discovered on app stores? | Your app title is crucial for discoverability. Including the specific problem your app solves in the title helps users find your app when searching for solutions. Use language your target audience actually uses—for example, 'convert audio to text' instead of technical terms like 'transcription' that some users may not know. |
| Does monetizing my app affect its ranking in app stores? | Based on Axel Meta's experience, monetizing your app early may help improve its ranking on platforms like Google Play and the App Store. While not a confirmed fact, he noticed increased downloads after implementing monetization, suggesting it could positively signal to app store algorithms. |
| Why is having a good app icon important for app growth? | Your app icon is the first thing potential users see on the app store, making it essential for first impressions. A well-designed icon should clearly indicate what your app does or the problem it solves. Iterating on your icon design can significantly impact your app's click-through and download rates. |
| How does targeting a specific niche help my app succeed? | Targeting a specific niche makes it easier for the right users to find your app among thousands of competitors. By focusing on a particular problem—like converting meeting notes or WhatsApp audio—you can tailor your messaging and keywords to match exactly what your audience is searching for, improving visibility and downloads. |
