Flexibits transitioned from one-time purchase apps to a subscription-based model to provide ongoing value and continuous improvements.
Flexibits emphasizes user-oriented design, collaborating with UX designers to create seamless and intuitive interfaces.
The recent release of Fantastical Scheduling addresses the challenge of scheduling appointments with unknown individuals, enhancing the user experience.
Deep dives
The Journey to Flexibits
The CEO and co-founder of Flexibits, Michael Simons, discusses the origins of the company and his background in communications and media arts. Starting with a preference pane called Cameras, Flexibits began as a utility-based software company. They later transitioned to developing a calendar app, beginning with the Mac version. The focus was on creating a simple and fast user experience. The success of the Mac app led to the development of an iPhone version, which reached number one in the App Store. Flexibits grew organically, with additional team members joining to support the company's expansion.
Making the Leap to Subscriptions
After establishing the success of their one-time purchase apps, Flexibits made the decision to switch to a subscription-based model. This change allowed them to focus on continually improving their apps and providing ongoing value to their customers. The transition happened two years ago, enabling the team to invest more in their existing team members and ensure the highest quality of their products. Flexibits continues to experience strong customer retention, providing stability and the ability to add new features and improvements to their apps.
Strategies for App Development
Flexibits follows a user-oriented design philosophy, creating apps that cater to specific device types and user needs. They focus on building mobile apps for on-the-go use, keeping them simple and easy to use. The design process involves collaboration with designers who understand user experience to ensure a seamless and intuitive interface. Flexibits emphasizes the importance of shipping products when they are decent and then iterating based on user feedback and requests. The company has experienced organic growth, gradually adding team members to support the development and maintenance of their apps.
The Importance of Subscription-based Business Model
The podcast episode highlights the significance of transitioning from a one-time paid upfront app to a subscription-based business model. The decision to adopt a subscription model was driven by the desire to provide ongoing value and continuous improvements to the apps, without the need for frequent major updates or sales goals. By offering a subscription, Flexibits, the company behind the apps, can iterate quickly, add new features, and invest in making the products better over time. The switch to a subscription model has also allowed them to hire more people and focus on delivering a superior user experience.
The Evolution of Fantastical and Cardhop
The episode explores the evolution of the Fantastical and Cardhop apps, both of which were created by Flexibits. Fantastical gained popularity for its natural language parser, which made scheduling events easier. Over time, Fantastical expanded its features and became a go-to calendar app for many users. Similarly, Cardhop was developed with a focus on improving contact management by leveraging the power of the natural language parser. The episode highlights the iterative process behind the development of these apps and the deliberate approach towards creating a user-centric experience.
The Introduction of Fantastical Scheduling
The podcast discusses the recent release of Fantastical Scheduling, a feature that allows users to easily find and propose meeting times. This feature addresses the common challenge of scheduling appointments with unknown individuals. With the ability to share openings from different calendars and provide a native scheduling solution, Fantastical Scheduling offers a user-friendly and efficient way to manage appointments. The episode emphasizes the ongoing focus on enhancing the user experience and providing valuable features to make scheduling easier and more intuitive.
