Ask HN: My Nursing Reference App is Helping Poor Clinics, Losing Money

16 points

13 years ago

I just wrote this Android app as a solo portfolio piece without carefully considering how to monetize it. At the time, I was more concerned with learning new APIs like Google Volley and also with creating an interesting side project to advertise my app development services.

Now, I have entire clinics in poorer countries like the Philippines and Nigeria which depend upon my free, ad-supported app.

I will soon pass a request limit and need to start paying API fees to Pearson which are quite a bit greater than my Google AdMob advertising revenue. If I do not find a way to gain more paid subscribers or earn more ad revenue, I will start losing a significant amount of money.

I want a way to keep my app alive for clinics in poor countries, but to hopefully also meet the break even point. Does anyone have any advice for a solo developer?

Thanks!

Here's the app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.colintheshots.nursingguide&hl=en

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