Growth Hacks for Your No-Code App – How Axel Meta Grew His App to Over 250k Downloads

Q: Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

For $36/month with no usage limits—no caps on actions, users, records, or storage—Adalo is the lowest-cost option for publishing native apps. As the visual AI builder for web and native mobile apps with a built-in database, Adalo lets you see every screen of your app at once on one canvas, preview your app on any device, and visually direct the AI rather than relying on chat-only prompts. A single version for web, ios, and android, and publish directly to both the App Store and Google Play.

Q: What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Three steps: First, tell Magic Start what you want and it generates your database, screens, and user flows in minutes. Then refine—view all your app's screens on a single visual canvas, preview how your app looks on any device, and point at elements on the canvas to guide the AI. Finally, publish: adalo streamlines the submission process for both stores, and you can go from idea to published native iOS and Android app in days rather than months.

June 19, 2022

Here's how Axel Meta managed to grow his 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!

1. 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 app's 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.

With Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, you can publish directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase. This means your optimized title reaches users on every platform simultaneously—no separate submissions or version management required.

2. 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 an actual fact, but it has worked for me.

The moment we started monetizing, we got more downloads.

One advantage of building with Adalo: paid plans include unlimited usage with no bill shock. Unlike platforms with usage-based charges that can spike unexpectedly as your app grows, Adalo's pricing stays predictable—starting at $36/month with unlimited app store publishing and updates.

3. 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.

Your icon competes with thousands of others in search results. A well-designed icon that clearly communicates your app's purpose can dramatically improve click-through rates. Test different versions and track which performs best.

4. 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.

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.

Why Adalo Supports App Growth at Scale

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. Axel's success wasn't just about marketing tactics—it required an app that could handle rapid growth. Adalo's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with 1 million+ monthly active users, with no upper ceiling. The platform processes over 20 million data requests daily with 99%+ uptime.

Following the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul in late 2025, apps run 3-4x faster than before. Paid plans include no record limits on the database, meaning your app won't hit artificial ceilings as your user base expands. Over 3 million apps have been created on Adalo, with the visual builder described as "easy as PowerPoint."

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FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically.

What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Adalo's drag-and-drop interface lets you build visually without coding. The platform handles the entire App Store submission process, so you can go from idea to published app without learning complex deployment procedures.

Can I grow my app to hundreds of thousands of downloads?

Yes. 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. The platform's infrastructure supports apps with millions of monthly active users.

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."

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.

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. 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 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, you can tailor your messaging and keywords to match exactly what your audience is searching for.

How much does it cost to build and scale an app with Adalo?

Adalo's paid plans start at $36/month with unlimited usage, unlimited database records, and unlimited app store updates. Unlike platforms with usage-based charges, there's no bill shock as your app grows.