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Ask HN: How to retain users for a one-time use app?

Hello everyone,

I recently launched a side project I've been working on, while it gets between 500-1000 users per week who actually do use it, it struggles with retention which makes sense since there's only one feature which gives a result back and you have no more use for the app. I get anywhere between 2-7% of users come back the next day and it quickly drops on days 2+.

I'm trying to figure out how to proceed building it. I've asked users for feedback on what they would like to see, but I didn't get any strong response. So I was wondering if anyone has examples of these kinds of apps which were able to grow and retain users and what they did to achieve the growth ?

Thanks.

( 6 comments | 7 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: How to retain users for a one-time use app? by Blakestr on Wednesday October 02, 2019 @04:17PM (#21140342)
What does the app do? Your name would imply that it measures some aspect of their face, I'm assuming for something either cosmetic or just diagnostic, telling them what "face archetype" they have...
Re:Ask HN: How to retain users for a one-time use app? by faceshapeapp on Wednesday October 02, 2019 @07:48PM (#21142028)
Yes, it tells them which face shape they have.
Re:Ask HN: How to retain users for a one-time use app? by interactivecode on Wednesday October 02, 2019 @11:07AM (#21137250)
build services/features around your core feature like https://www.speedtest.net/

you could also use the same technology skills here and move the same features to another domain

Re:Ask HN: How to retain users for a one-time use app? by faceshapeapp on Wednesday October 02, 2019 @07:48PM (#21142038)
That's actually a great example, thank you!
Re:Ask HN: How to retain users for a one-time use app? by Nextgrid on Wednesday October 02, 2019 @03:52PM (#21140143)
Charge more for it so you can be profitable despite users only needing your app once?
Re:Ask HN: How to retain users for a one-time use app? by faceshapeapp on Wednesday October 02, 2019 @07:49PM (#21142046)
I'm not charging anything. I'd rather keep building it so that it's more useful to related activities, but not sure how to go about it.