Mobbin

HowLim Jiho Built Mobbin Into a Resource Loved by 1M Designers

Founded By

Lim Jiho

Days To Build

Founders

Profitable

Yes

Days To Build

Year Started

2018

Customer

B2B

Founded By
Lim Jiho: Days To Build
90: Founders
3

Profitable
Yes: Days To Build
90: Year Started
2018

Customer
B2B

Who is Lim Jiho?

Jiho Lim, founder of Mobbin, started the company as a side project during his university studies in Singapore, while pursuing a degree in Computer Science after initially being in business school. He previously worked as a freelance mobile interface designer.

What problem does Mobbin solve?

Mobbin simplifies finding and organizing design inspiration, making it easy for designers to access top-notch UI/UX patterns without repetitive, time-consuming research.

mobbin.com Homepage

How did Lim come up with the idea for Mobbin?

Jiho Lim, the founder of Mobbin, came up with the idea while he was working as a freelance designer. He noticed how tedious and repetitive it was to research well-designed apps for UI/UX inspiration. The process involved downloading apps, taking numerous screenshots, and then deleting them, only to repeat the cycle for each new project. This frustration highlighted a gap in the market for an organized reference library that designers could use efficiently.

To solve this problem, Jiho initially created a shared Dropbox folder to store relevant screenshots for himself and his friends. However, this system lacked the functionality they needed, such as the ability to easily categorize and search for specific screen types. Recognizing the potential to build something more advanced and helpful, he decided to develop a web app to address these shortcomings.

The first version of Mobbin took about three months to build. Throughout the development process, Jiho leveraged feedback from friends and fellow designers to refine the tool's features. He focused on solving real pain points, which ultimately helped him validate the idea when he released it to the design community. His passion for addressing the design industry's specific needs kept him motivated to evolve Mobbin into a comprehensive resource over time.

How did Lim Jiho build the initial version of Mobbin?

Mobbin was developed as a side project in 2018, with the first version taking three months to build. The primary tool was a web app, which the founder, Lim Jiho, created to resolve inefficiencies he encountered during freelance design work. The initial development involved categorizing mobile app screenshots, fast-tracking a cumbersome process previously handled via Dropbox. The building experience was demanding, yet fulfilling, as Jiho had to balance his university studies with coding, leveraging his existing knowledge in computer science. This initial version of Mobbin had to overcome the challenge of creating an intuitive tagging system, which was crucial for enabling efficient search functionalities, a feature that Dropbox lacked.

What was the growth strategy for Mobbin and how did they scale?

Product Hunt

Mobbin began its journey by launching on Product Hunt, a platform known for helping new products gain exposure among tech enthusiasts and early adopters. This launch was pivotal for Mobbin, drawing substantial attention from the Product Hunt community and the broader design community. Many users discovered Mobbin through Product Hunt, boosting their initial user base significantly.

Why it worked: Product Hunt is highly effective for reaching a tech-savvy audience that is eager to try new tools. By launching as a side project and gaining support from the Product Hunt community, Mobbin was able to quickly spread among designers looking for UI/UX design inspiration. The endorsement and early user feedback helped Mobbin refine its offering and foster a loyal user base.

Networking and Community Engagement

Mobbin leveraged the power of networking and community engagement to grow its platform. The founder actively engaged with other designers and enthusiasts, sharing the tool within existing networks. He cultivated relationships with influencers and supporters in the design community, such as Meng To and Yangshun Tay, who helped amplify Mobbin's reach through their own networks.

Why it worked: Networking enabled Mobbin to tap into existing communities of design professionals who were already seeking inspiration and resources. By cultivating genuine relationships and offering a solution to a common problem, Mobbin's presence grew organically through word-of-mouth, which is often more trusted than traditional advertising.

Pro Subscription and Sponsorships

To generate revenue and entice users, Mobbin introduced a pro subscription offering additional features like version control and access to extensive libraries. They also secured sponsorships to monetize the platform, appealing to brands interested in reaching their design-centric audience.

Why it worked: Offering a tiered subscription model allowed Mobbin to monetize its service while providing an enticing value proposition to serious users. By addressing user needs directly with premium features, Mobbin was able to convert free users into paying subscribers. Sponsorship deals provided an additional revenue stream and validated the platform's influence in the design space.

What's the pricing strategy for Mobbin?

Mobbin offers a free tier with limited access and a Pro subscription for additional features, averaging around $10 per user monthly.

Mobbin Pricing

What were the biggest lessons learned from building Mobbin?

Leverage Community Support: Mobbin's growth was fueled by strong backing from the Product Hunt and design communities right from its initial launch. Building and engaging a robust community can provide essential support and momentum.
Iterate Quickly on Feedback: Regular feedback and active user discussions were pivotal as Mobbin expanded and refined its offerings. Listening and adapting based on user input allows for timely improvements and keeps the product aligned with user needs.
Maintain a Strong Team Culture: Despite a small, globally distributed team, Mobbin maintains alignment by focusing on shared values like craft and customer satisfaction. A unified team culture can drive consistent quality and innovation.
Be Passionate About the Problem: Passion for the problem you're solving helps sustain motivation over time. With Mobbin, solving personal and widespread design challenges kept the team focused and driven.
Continuous Improvement: Mobbin went through significant design and functionality overhauls, showcasing the importance of constantly evolving to meet user expectations and to improve the product experience.

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