I've built 5 Shopify Apps.
3 failed. The 4th one reached $25K MRR in a year
The difference? How I got my first 100 users.
Here's the exact process I'd use if I was starting today:
🧵👇
Step 1: Find Where Merchants Hang Out
Don't guess where your users are.
Go where they actually spend time:
- LinkedIn groups (e-commerce, DTC brands)
- Facebook groups for Shopify merchants
- Reddit communities like r/shopify
- YouTube channels they follow for advice
- Twitter conversations around Shopify
Don't guess where your users are.
Go where they actually spend time:
- LinkedIn groups (e-commerce, DTC brands)
- Facebook groups for Shopify merchants
- Reddit communities like r/shopify
- YouTube channels they follow for advice
- Twitter conversations around Shopify
Step 2: Daily Outreach Routine
This isn't glamorous. But it works.
Every single day:
- Connect with 10 people in e-commerce on LinkedIn
- Send 10 DMs to people in e-commerce
- Write 5 comments under e-commerce posts
- Follow 2 people on X related to e-commerce
- Contact 10 people from influencers' follower lists
This isn't glamorous. But it works.
Every single day:
- Connect with 10 people in e-commerce on LinkedIn
- Send 10 DMs to people in e-commerce
- Write 5 comments under e-commerce posts
- Follow 2 people on X related to e-commerce
- Contact 10 people from influencers' follower lists
Goal: 10 meaningful conversations per day.
That's 300 per month for 3 months.
Don't pitch. Learn.
Ask: "What's the most frustrating part of running your Shopify store day-to-day?"
Listen for recurring patterns and emotional reactions.
That's 300 per month for 3 months.
Don't pitch. Learn.
Ask: "What's the most frustrating part of running your Shopify store day-to-day?"
Listen for recurring patterns and emotional reactions.
Step 3: Ask the Right Questions
"Which Shopify apps are essential to your business? Which ones disappoint you?"
"If you could change one thing about the apps you use, what would it be?"
"Have you hired developers for custom features? What did they build and why?"
Pay attention when they say "I wish there was a way to..."
"Which Shopify apps are essential to your business? Which ones disappoint you?"
"If you could change one thing about the apps you use, what would it be?"
"Have you hired developers for custom features? What did they build and why?"
Pay attention when they say "I wish there was a way to..."
Step 4: Build Your MVP in 2-3 Weeks
If you're spending more than 3 weeks, you're overbuilding.
Focus on solving ONE problem well.
Ask yourself: "If someone pointed a gun at my head and asked me to build this app in a week, what features would I include?"
Everything else can wait.
If you're spending more than 3 weeks, you're overbuilding.
Focus on solving ONE problem well.
Ask yourself: "If someone pointed a gun at my head and asked me to build this app in a week, what features would I include?"
Everything else can wait.
Step 5: Get Your First 10 Champions
You don't need 100 installations to validate your app.
You need 5-10 merchants who think your solution is incredible and can't live without it.
These users become your champions and provide feedback to refine your product.
You don't need 100 installations to validate your app.
You need 5-10 merchants who think your solution is incredible and can't live without it.
These users become your champions and provide feedback to refine your product.
Step 6: Provide Exceptional Support
Every new user deserves your attention within minutes, not hours.
Add live chat to your dashboard using tools like Crisp.
Set up Slack notifications when someone opens your dashboard.
Help them succeed = they leave reviews.
Every new user deserves your attention within minutes, not hours.
Add live chat to your dashboard using tools like Crisp.
Set up Slack notifications when someone opens your dashboard.
Help them succeed = they leave reviews.
Step 7: Ask for Reviews Immediately
Don't wait for users to fully explore your app.
Ask immediately after they experience value or receive helpful support.
The faster you get those first 10 reviews, the quicker you'll gain App Store visibility.
Don't wait for users to fully explore your app.
Ask immediately after they experience value or receive helpful support.
The faster you get those first 10 reviews, the quicker you'll gain App Store visibility.
Step 8: Build Relationships, Not Just Users
Your early users aren't just customers.
They're co-creators of your product's future.
Maintain daily communication through email, live chat, or messaging platforms.
Think of them as the brain while you're the hands.
Your early users aren't just customers.
They're co-creators of your product's future.
Maintain daily communication through email, live chat, or messaging platforms.
Think of them as the brain while you're the hands.
Step 9: Create Referral Opportunities
After a positive interaction:
"Thanks for the review! Do you have a friend or colleague who might benefit from our app?"
Make referrals easy:
- Don't ask them to do the outreach
- Request just a name or email
- Handle the follow-up yourself
After a positive interaction:
"Thanks for the review! Do you have a friend or colleague who might benefit from our app?"
Make referrals easy:
- Don't ask them to do the outreach
- Request just a name or email
- Handle the follow-up yourself
The harsh truth:
If you're not speaking with at least 3 users daily, you're not truly in the game.
This phase is about hustle, not perfection.
Being stuck here for 6 months is normal. But it's the foundation for everything that comes next.
If you're not speaking with at least 3 users daily, you're not truly in the game.
This phase is about hustle, not perfection.
Being stuck here for 6 months is normal. But it's the foundation for everything that comes next.
Remember: The network you build during this process isn't just for research.
These are your potential first customers and advocates.
When you do build your solution, you'll already have relationships with people eager to try it.
Start ugly. Talk to users. The path is clear.
These are your potential first customers and advocates.
When you do build your solution, you'll already have relationships with people eager to try it.
Start ugly. Talk to users. The path is clear.
Thanks for reading! I hope that helps.
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And follow me @DsMatie for more!
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