How We Grew Our Chrome Extension from 0 to 135,000 Users (and Counting) - Toggl Blog

How We Grew Our Chrome Extension from 0 to 135,000 Users (and Counting) - Toggl Blog

The Toggl Button's secret lies in its simplicity. It's a mere UI add-on that adds a timer to a handful of web tools. While there may be a myriad of wanted features and potential updates, it's important to focus on the problem you're solving and avoid the feature trap. Offer the solution you can provide best and don't try to over-cater to your users.

One key factor in the success of the Toggl Button was open-sourcing the Chrome extension from the start. This helped them reach the developer audience, get more developers to work on the integration, and promote it in their communities. Building an audience and ensuring they have a problem before building the solution is crucial. Having a network of people ready to try out your product and give feedback can greatly contribute to its growth.

Another important aspect is the Chrome Web Store ranking, which directly influenced Toggl Button's steady growth. Approximately 40% of new users come from store discoveries, without even being featured. Keywords in the title seem to have a significant influence on the ranking. Optimizing the description by using relevant keywords more frequently and prominently also plays a role. Additionally, a longer description works better when optimizing for ranking on long-tail keywords.

Ratings and reviews matter—a lot. It's essential to frequently ask users for feedback. About 30% of Toggl Button's installs came from email marketing to their existing users. The key is to explain the benefits of the extension and have a clear call-to-action (CTA) that gets users excited about it. In their A/B tests, they found that a very plain subject line, such as "Toggl Button info," had the highest open rates. It's important to have only one CTA per email.

Keeping users happy and communicating with them frequently can not only drive word of mouth but also contribute to growing your Chrome store ranking.

アンドリュー・チェンがtoCスタートアップに求める条件

Technology changes rapidly, but human nature remains the same. This presents an opportunity. By combining modern technology with the fundamental desires of people, we can create something valuable. In the case of Michelin, they cleverly packaged restaurants as destinations, giving people a reason to drive. This initial purpose of the Michelin Guide is fascinating because it sought to provide people with a reason to drive. Creating something that is appealing to friends, family, and oneself can encourage people to talk about it.

A hundred years ago, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies used advertising and coupons to stimulate demand and solve the chicken and egg problem. Today, startups use great mobile apps to generate demand and solve the same problem. This approach still works.

When new technologies and platforms start to scale, when products begin to tap into existing consumer psychology, and when there are growth hacks that can rapidly and scalably grow, opportunities arise. Among these three factors, the first one is crucial—the new technologies and platforms. There are numerous new technologies right around the corner, in addition to definite opportunities in marketplaces, B2B, mobile, and other existing categories. However, one or two breakthroughs are necessary.

Video is huge, but it's not just limited to music videos. It can be used in various forms of entertainment and media, contributing to its growth. One of the current significant opportunities is to automatically generate videos when users engage, leading to more video shares, viral acquisition, and increased engagement.

The growth hack I believe in is creating a visible offline experience that makes people want to use the app. As online channels become saturated (with high costs for Facebook and Google ads and millions of apps in the app store), the real world becomes incredibly attractive. The intersection of new technology, exciting customer behavior, and insights about growth is where the magic happens. Combining these three elements can create something truly fascinating.

Technology may change, but people don't. If we can find groundbreaking new products at the intersection of technological change and human behavior, we can build the startups of the next generation.

Actionable Advice:

1. Focus on the problem you're solving and avoid the feature trap. Offer the solution you can provide best and don't over-cater to your users.
2. Open-source your product to reach the developer audience, get more developers on board, and promote it within their communities.
3. Optimize your Chrome Web Store listing with relevant keywords in the title and description, and encourage ratings and reviews. Frequently ask users for feedback and communicate with them to keep them happy and engaged.