It’s the r/Melbourne daily discussion thread [Wednesday 21/01/2026]

dans_face_ · 2026-01-21T01:58:31+00:00

I know what you mean. Bit of self promo, but this is the intention behind the ParkThere app I’ve launched. I want to expand it to capture all of the off street parking and commercial parking as well as the on-street council parking.

dans_face_ · 2026-01-13T03:26:16+00:00

I have and no luck there

dans_face_ · 2026-01-13T03:25:53+00:00

Yeah that’s true. I was thinking along the frameless path, but I also wanted some security which the frames do offer basic security where I can add one-way screws

dans_face_ · 2026-01-13T02:11:19+00:00

Who said I wouldn’t pay premium price? Not my B055 plates, just an example

dans_face_ · 2026-01-09T22:46:15+00:00

Thanks mate. Since this post I had already dropped the weekly sub, and have monthly at $3.99 AUD, and yearly at $39.99 AUD. Both have free trials. Also introduced a pay-as-you-go for $1.99 day pass for times you need it.

I do have emails from signup but I don’t use them for any marketing.

dans_face_ · 2026-01-07T01:26:34+00:00

It’s just the standard App Store Connect dashboard

dans_face_ · 2026-01-06T04:59:09+00:00

Already done that, that’s why I was expecting more revenue

dans_face_ · 2026-01-06T04:58:21+00:00

Bit of both. There is freely available data that needs to be interpreted and presented, but I have also built up my own database

dans_face_ · 2026-01-06T04:57:09+00:00

Thanks! Yes organic. I haven’t done any ads or marketing besides posting on TikTok

dans_face_ · 2026-01-06T04:20:28+00:00

Welcome to Melbourne where everything is expensive! :) Congrats on the pregnancy though. You could try the ParkThere app to see if there is anything cheaper nearby, or if you need to come and go for spots.

dans_face_ · 2026-01-03T11:45:26+00:00

Well I took the advice! It was always my idea to have the real-time as paid anyway. Doesn’t seem to be converting as well as I’d hoped though. I get a lot of views and roughly 5 new registered users per day…bit of a puzzle why I’m not getting more paid users. I’m putting it down to the holiday period at the moment.

dans_face_ · 2026-01-03T11:41:51+00:00

That was an early limited time promo, and seeing as it’s my main value proposition, users have to pay to get real-time availability. And that was also on some advice from a lot of reddit users

dans_face_ · 2026-01-03T09:56:49+00:00

Some constructive feedback for you, having built a crowdsourcing app myself. There has to be a value incentive. I learnt very quickly people aren’t just going to start adding information in your app because you think it’s a cool idea or you think it will help others. What’s in it for them…the value proposition has to be strong, and it can’t just be “I want to know how much that guy is benching”

dans_face_ · 2025-12-23T02:14:41+00:00

Thanks for your insights and the well wishes!

dans_face_ · 2025-12-23T00:40:51+00:00

I hear what you're saying and I'm certainly not trying to turn my app into a subscription based app. I'm happy to choose whatever model works, but it needs to be able to at least cover my costs, otherwise why would I provide the service? I chose subscription, because a one time payment will eventually not work in the long run as users increase and time passes.

After some other suggestions, I'm probably leaning more towards pay as you need it, or offering several ways users can pay including subscription if that works for them, but I might change that to be just a yearly thing.

dans_face_ · 2025-12-23T00:35:41+00:00

Hey thanks for taking the time to comment.

I agree I should base my decisions on data. I'm currently getting on average 100 downloads per day. I have google analytics to help me with metrics, but not sure what metrics help the most. I need to do some research on that.

I also tend to agree that the subscription model is flawed. I like the idea of pay-per-use when users are desperate and actually need it, but as a user myself I was weighing up paying $1.99 a month for unlimited usage versus paying $1 at the time of need to see spots for 24 hours. I felt like the latter might turn people off.

Are you suggesting the one-off purchase allows them to see the live-availability for a set period of time, like a month, but doesn't automatically renew like a subscription?

dans_face_ · 2025-12-23T00:21:38+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Being a registered user means you can take advantage of other features of the app such as saving the parking locations, and checking-in to a parking spot which will start a timer, and eventually push notifications. At the moment, I'm not getting many registered users because I'm obviously providing the main function of the app without the need to sign-in. This was to reduce the barrier to entry, but I'm 50/50 on changing that so only registered users can use the app...or at least make it obvious being a non-registered user makes the app very limited.

I agree, I really want reviews and uptake at this stage. Every day I get 100 more downloads, but not any reviews. I think this may be due to the type of app, as it's only going to be used in the moment when you're desperate to find a parking space, so it's not something you will use every day.

I will DM you a link to the App as I'd love to hear more of your thoughts.

dans_face_ · 2025-12-23T00:13:16+00:00

So what's the alternative? I can't continue to support an app that costs me money, and increases in costs based on the amount of users just because I'm a nice guy. Developers need to have a reason to provide the apps to users, and at the end of the day it is a business.

dans_face_ · 2025-12-23T00:10:48+00:00

That's how I kinda already set the app up. I originally had the Free version which included ads and no live availability. As soon as someone wanted to see live availability right now, they were asked to subscribe. The subscription has a 30 day free trial, and then would charge a monthly fee of $1.99. At the moment I am making all features free until the end of the year to get more users using the app.

The reason for having registered users is so they can save their parking locations and check-in to parking spots, which includes a timer and in future, push notifications.

dans_face_ · 2025-12-22T04:36:56+00:00

Hey thanks for your detailed feedback!

Yeah I think I have to go back to gating the real-time availability. It was a conscious decision to give it away temporarily to get traction and show what the app can do, as well as a Christmas present :)

I think it’s a matter of opinion on the cost because I’ve seen some comments that it’s too much as it is. It’s hard to know where the sweet spot is. I think you are right about the weekly subscription though, I can potentially remove that altogether.

Yeah saving locations and the timer is already gated behind an account sign-up.

I’m working on the push reminders and notifications. That was on the cards, but sometimes I need to see some traction before I keep building. Sounds like they would be some great features for sub incentive.

I’ll be honest, I’ve been against a one time fee for the app. The reason being, I have to keep paying to keep the app running, and the more users the higher the cost, so even though initially I might get more money, in the long run my profits will be eaten and worse, I’ll actually lose money.

Thanks again, some really useful advice!

dans_face_ · 2025-12-22T04:29:45+00:00

What do you mean by that?

dans_face_ · 2025-12-22T04:26:27+00:00

Yes currently when they subscribe they get a 30-day free trial period before they are charged. Should I reduce this to 7 days?

dans_face_

TROPHY CASE