This article introduces the development case of a successful AI application "formulate bot", which was built in his spare time by David, a developer with zero programming experience, using no-code tools. The application is currently valued at more than one million US dollars. This case details David's development process, profit model, and challenges, and provides valuable experience and reference for people with non-technical backgrounds who want to start a business in the field of data automation. By studying this case, you can learn how to use no-code tools to quickly develop AI applications, how to conduct market verification and product iteration, and how to deal with issues such as market competition and high API costs. This is a great example of how to turn an idea into a sustainable and profitable business.
Develop an AI-driven Excel plug-in, built in your spare time using no-code tools, aiming to automate spreadsheet tasks, improve users' efficiency in processing data, and achieve profitability through a subscription model.
The developer in this case, David, developed an AI application "formulate bot" that is now valued at over one million US dollars with zero programming experience. Working just a few hours a day, he developed the app in just a few weeks. David mainly learns relevant knowledge through YouTube. He successfully launched his product using viral marketing strategies and attracted thousands of users in just a few days.
formulate bot is a software that helps people process data faster and smarter. It mainly covers functions such as AI and spreadsheets, text-to-formula generators, and data analyzers. The app has been around for about a year and a half, has about 750,000 users, 5,000 of whom pay for unlimited access, and earns about $226,000 a month.
It is suitable for entrepreneurs with a non-technical background, who have a deep understanding of Excel and want to innovate in the field of data automation.
medium. You need to learn the use of no-code development tools and have a keen insight into the market.
Problem identification:
Identify common problems in daily work, such as the complexity of Excel formulas.
David found that there was a need to quickly generate Excel formulas at work. He obtained application name suggestions from OpenAI and ultimately chose "Excel Formula Bot" as the preliminary name (later renamed "formulate Bot").
Learn no-code tools:
Spend 1-2 weeks mastering a no-code tool like Bubble.io.
David doesn't know how to program at all, but he completed the core development of the application through bubble.io, a no-code platform. As experience accumulates, the proportion of code in the application gradually increases, from the initial 100% no code to about 5%-10% code now.
Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP):
Use no-code tools to quickly build a basic version of an AI tool.
Community verification:
Share your MVP in relevant online communities (such as Reddit) to get user feedback.
David first demonstrated his application to colleagues and received positive feedback. Later, he posted the application information on Reddit and quickly gained a lot of attention.
Product iteration:
Continuously iterate the product and add new features based on user feedback. Use platforms such as Reddit and YouTube for marketing and attract users.
Meeting the challenge:
With the success of the product, many similar competitors appeared on the market. David realized that simply providing a simple input and output function was not enough to stand out from the competition. Therefore, he constantly introduces new features, such as data analyzers, to enhance the competitiveness of the product. At the same time, he was also aware of the possible threats posed by giant companies such as Microsoft, so his goal was to develop a product that could not be copied.
Profit strategy:
Manage the high cost of AI API usage and deal with issues such as market competition. Faced with the high costs brought by OpenAI API, David gradually achieved profitability by accepting donations, running advertisements and subscription services.
David’s story shows how non-technical entrepreneurs can leverage no-code tools to bring innovative ideas to life. By observing and solving real problems, he developed an AI tool using a no-code platform and successfully attracted a large number of users and significant revenue. This story highlights that with the right mindset and persistence, anyone can grow their side project into a thriving business, even without coding skills.
No-code development platform: Bubble.io.
All in all, David's successful case provides us with valuable inspiration: even without programming foundation, you can use no-code tools and agile development methods to create market-competitive AI products and ultimately achieve commercial success. The key is to gain insight into market needs, continue to iterate products, and actively respond to challenges.