Project Details
Entrepreneurial
8 Months
Sketches, wireframes, design, & development
Figjam, Figma, Figma, Superwall, Framer, Zoom, Google and Apple App Stores
Project Manager and Developer from a developer shop, User testers locally and aboard.
Problem
How can I teach my kids the value of money? About a year ago, we used an app that worked well for us, but it was discontinued in the U.S. Other existing apps were either too expensive, poorly designed, or lacked the features we needed.
As my kids grew old enough to start helping around the house, we established a system to differentiate between base chores and those they could earn money for. To address this need, my wife and I set out to solve the problem with an app tailored to our needs.
Solution
My initial vision was ambitious. I wanted chore tracking, parent-child linked accounts, and more. However, after starting the designs and getting quotes from developers, I knew I needed to hone in on an MVP that would still be valuable.
Initial Idea
My initial plan was to launch exclusively on iOS and design the app using standard iOS patterns. I created the app’s architecture and designed detailed mockups to share with developers for getting quotes on the price of the build.
MVP Idea
After receiving several quotes, I realized I needed to simplify the app to focus on its core functionality. I stripped it down to just the allowance tracking feature. What sets this app apart from others is the ability to divide funds into spend, save, and give accounts. Additionally, the process of adding money is unique, allowing users to allocate funds directly to each account.
Simplifying the app also enabled me to create a more customized user experience and prepare for launch on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This process pushed my creativity and allowed me to develop a visually unique interface.
Marketing Design
The old adage “If you build it, they will come” definitely doesn’t hold true for apps. I knew I needed to actively bring people to the app. My first step was creating a website with a blog to generate leads through SEO. I was fortunate to secure the domain www.DigitalPiggyBank.com. Using Figma, I designed the website, then transferred it to Framer to publish it online.
Challenges
The biggest hurdle was integrating subscription functionality into the app. The development team I worked with had no prior experience implementing subscriptions, and I initially planned for a flat pricing model. This oversight was partly due to a lack of planning on my part, as managing flat pricing is simpler and can be controlled directly through the App Store. We ended up using a third party called Superwall to help implement the pricing more quickly into the app.
Currently, the main challenge is launching on the Google Play Store. Each rejection delays the process by 14 days before resubmission is allowed, which has made me hesitant to start promoting the app online.
I also faced three rejections from the Apple App Store. While their feedback was detailed, some parts were confusing. However, through collaboration with the development team, we addressed the issues and ultimately received final approval.
Launch
he MVP version of the app launched on the Apple App Store in mid-December, and we are still working on getting it live on the Google Play Store. This is just the beginning. In the near future, I plan to introduce a kids’ login with goal-setting features and the ability to add chores. Parents will be able to approve completed chores directly through notifications in their login.
Download on the
App Store
Results
It’s still very early, but my family and I use the app weekly to manage our kids’ accounts. I also received a great story from a friend who participated as a beta tester.
He shared that his 4-year-old wanted a toy at the store, so he used the app to create an account for his child. He explained that for every chore completed, his son would earn a dollar. Each time his son finished a chore, he updated the app to show how much money had been earned. After completing all the chores, his son had enough to buy the toy.
