RestorePhotos.io

How Hassan Drew 50K Users in Just 10 Days with AI APP

Hassan El Mghari
Founder, RestorePhotos.io
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Founders
RestorePhotos.io
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started January 2023
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Built in
2 days
Founders
1
Profitable
Yes
Days To Build
2
Year Started
2023
Customer
B2C

Who is Hassan El Mghari?πŸ”—

Hassan El Mghari, the founder of RestorePhotos.io, is a front-end developer based in the USA, who is currently a Senior Developer Relations Specialist at Vercel and builds and shares AI web application projects in his spare time.

What problem does RestorePhotos.io solve?πŸ”—

Customers use RestorePhotos.io because it magically revives old, blurry photos, preserving cherished memories they thought were lost forever, making it invaluable for anyone wanting to keep their history clear and vibrant.

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How did Hassan come up with the idea for RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

The inspiration for RestorePhotos.io came when Hassan noticed a similar paid app offering image restorations and was intrigued by the idea of making this service more accessible. His personal experience played a crucial role, as his family frequently shared old photos in their group chat, prompting him to test the concept with pictures of his own family. This experience made him realize the potential appeal of such a tool for others with cherished yet deteriorating family photos.

Before diving into development, Hassan researched AI APIs and stumbled upon a suitable solution with Replicate, setting the stage for creating his app. He constructed a quick proof of concept over a weekend and was impressed by the results, which solidified his belief that a broader audience would find value in it. Throughout the ideation phase, he shared his initial creation on social media to gather feedback, which he incorporated to refine his project further.

Hassan's key takeaway from the process was that simple solutions addressing specific needs can be profoundly impactful, especially when integrated with emerging technologies like AI. This early exploration and feedback-driven refinement helped Hassan build a tool that resonated strongly with its audience, emphasizing that even easy-to-use solutions can solve significant problems when well-aligned with user needs.

How did Hassan build the initial version of RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

RestorePhotos.io was built in a remarkably short span of about a day and a half, showcasing the efficiency of leveraging existing tools and technologies. The development process centered around four key components: the frontend, backend, storage, and AI API. For the frontend, Hassan El Mghari used Next.js to create a user interface that included a landing page, an image upload component, and image components. The backend was implemented using a Next.js serverless function. Storage was managed with upload.io, which offered a convenient integration for photo storage, while the AI image restoration was powered by Replicate's API.

The first step involved developing the upload component using upload.io, which allowed users to upload images and automatically connected to a storage solution. Once an image was uploaded, the Next.js serverless function triggered a fetch request to Replicate's AI API, processing the image until a restored version was returned. The entire process from ideation to execution was intense yet concise, with Hassan detailing the backend process including the necessary polling to fetch AI results. Moreover, the rapid build was not without its challenges; implementing the serverless approach and coordinating data flow between multiple services required careful design and testing to avoid typical pitfalls like latency and cost inefficiencies.

What were the initial startup costs for RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

  • AI API Costs: The estimated cost for using Replicate, the AI API, was $400 per month, which varies based on usage, with a $240 bill already incurred. This was the most significant cost.
  • Hosting: Hosting and deployment on Vercel would have cost $20 per month; however, this fee was waived as the founder worked at Vercel.
  • Storage: The cost for using Upload.io for storage was $35 per month.

How did Hassan launch RestorePhotos.io and get initial traction?πŸ”—

Twitter AnnouncementπŸ”—

To get the initial word out about RestorePhotos.io, the founder, Hassan El Mghari, utilized his existing Twitter following. He started by tweeting a screenshot of the web app to gauge interest and gather initial feedback. This initial tweet managed to gather over 3,000 likes, indicating strong interest and setting the stage for an official announcement. Following some polish and feedback incorporation, Hassan announced the full launch of the Face Photo Restorer with another tweet that quickly generated 7,799 likes and 1,456 retweets.

Why it worked: The pre-launch tweet created anticipation and engaged a community interested in AI and tech, leading to a strong reaction on the announcement. Leveraging Twitter, which has a wide audience, allowed rapid dissemination and engagement.

Viral Content and SharesπŸ”—

After the launch announcement, the app went viral. It was shared widely on social media, with hundreds of individuals sharing, tagging, and posting their own results from the photo restoration tool. Moreover, it inspired the creation of multiple articles and videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, significantly increasing its reach.

Why it worked: The app's capability to transform worn-out photos was visually compelling, which encouraged users to share their results. This user-generated content created authenticity and reached new audiences through multiple platforms.

Organic Growth and User EngagementπŸ”—

Without spending on advertising post-launch, RestorePhotos.io continued growing organically, acquiring 15,000 users in just 24 hours, reaching 25,000 users two days after, and hitting 50,000 users within nine days. These numbers highlight the strong word-of-mouth and viral effect that sustained user growth.

Why it worked: The free and open-source nature, combined with the app's practical value in restoring old photos, drove user interest and engagement. The straightforward user experience encouraged people to try and share the service, fueling its viral spread.

MetricsπŸ”—

  • In 24 hours, the app attracted 15,000 users.
  • By the second day, user numbers reached 25,000.
  • Within nine days, 50,000 unique users had interacted with the app.
  • The app restored 79,000 images during this initial period.

This break down shows how strategic use of organic social media outreach and user-driven content can effectively launch a business without the necessity of significant advertising spend.

What was the growth strategy for RestorePhotos.io and how did they scale?πŸ”—

TwitterπŸ”—

Hassan El Mghari effectively utilized Twitter to grow RestorePhotos.io by first sharing a sneak peek of his app with a single screenshot. A tweet detailing the app gained significant traction, receiving over 3,000 likes. This initial teaser generated interest and helped him gather feedback before the official launch. After polishing the product based on this feedback, Hassan announced the launch with a second tweet, which was even more successful, resulting in over 7,799 likes. The viral nature of these posts helped the product reach a broad audience rapidly, amassing 18,000 unique users in just a day.

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Why it worked: The viral spread of the tweets was due to their content being engaging and relevant. The potential for the app to restore cherished family photos, coupled with its free and open-source nature, resonated well with users, motivating them to engage with the content and share it with their networks. This created a cascade of interest and attracted significant media attention and further sharing on other social media platforms.

Media Coverage and Social SharingπŸ”—

Following the Twitter announcements, RestorePhotos.io received widespread attention across various media outlets and social media platforms. There were 10 online articles about the app, and users organically shared their results on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. This coverage not only came from articles but also from user-generated content that demonstrated the app in action.

Why it worked: The organic media coverage and social sharing highlighted the app's unique and engaging functionality. Users were motivated to share their experiences because the results were visually compelling, and the ability to restore old photos struck an emotional chord. This heightened visibility contributed to a snowball effect, attracting even more users without the need for paid advertising efforts.

Product Hunt Launch StrategyπŸ”—

Hassan's approach did not explicitly include a Product Hunt launch, but the strategy behind his launch reflects best practices often seen with successful Product Hunt campaigns. By initially teasing and testing the product, refining it, and then strategically timing the official release with anticipation built around it, he utilized a release strategy that borrows from effective elements of Product Hunt-style launches.

Why it worked: This approach builds anticipation and ensures feedback has led to a more polished and complete product by launch-day, increasing the likelihood of positive reception. Although not explicitly mentioned as executed on Product Hunt, this methodology is what often leads to success on such platforms: it gathers initial interest, validates the concept, and boosts a successful reception upon wider release.

YouTube and Influencer OutreachπŸ”—

While RestorePhotos.io's YouTube efforts were not the primary growth driver, Hassan did create a video detailing the creation process of AI apps. This content added credibility and provided a resource for developers interested in similar projects, aligning with his goals of learning and teaching. Furthermore, influencers and users on other platforms created their own content showcasing the app.

Why it worked: The instructional video served as both a promotional tool and educational content that could resonate with the technical community. Simultaneously, influencers showcasing the app extended reach by presenting it to their audiences in an authentic manner, thereby contributing further to organic growth.

What's the pricing strategy for RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

RestorePhotos.io offers its photo restoration service for free, leveraging an open-source model to attract users and drive innovation in AI applications.

What were the biggest lessons learned from building RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

  1. Focus on Simplicity: Hassan found that simple products that perform one function effectively resonate well with users. Keeping the app straightforward made it accessible and attractive to a broad audience.
  2. Leverage Community Feedback: Before launching, Hassan shared his progress on social media and internal channels, using the feedback to refine the app. Engaging with a community can provide valuable insights and improvements.
  3. Harness the Power of AI: Utilizing existing AI APIs allowed Hassan to create a sophisticated tool without the need to develop complex algorithms from scratch. Aspiring founders should explore and leverage available technologies to enhance their products.
  4. Viral Marketing Through Social Engagement: Hassan's strategic social media usage, including sharing progress and updates, helped generate organic traction and enthusiasm, highlighting the power of community engagement for marketing.
  5. Embrace Iterative Development: The project benefited from Hassan's previous experiences with side projects, emphasizing the importance of learning from past efforts. Continuous experimentation can provide crucial learning opportunities for future projects.

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More about RestorePhotos.io:πŸ”—

Who is the owner of RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

Hassan El Mghari is the founder of RestorePhotos.io.

When did Hassan El Mghari start RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

2023

What is Hassan El Mghari's net worth?πŸ”—

Hassan El Mghari's business makes an average of $/month.

How much money has Hassan El Mghari made from RestorePhotos.io?πŸ”—

Hassan El Mghari started the business in 2023, and currently makes an average of .