A Browser Extension Making $8,000 Monthly
How two developers got tired of building projects for others and decide to build something for themselves
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Hello! Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your business?
Hey everyone! We are Adi & Modi – the developers behind ChatGPT Toolbox.
Adi – A full-stack developer with over 7 years of experience, specializing in Node.js, React, and vanilla JavaScript. Adi has a passion for building powerful, user-friendly applications that make a difference.
Modi – A full-stack developer with 3 years of experience, and a Bachelor's degree with Dean's Honors. Modi specializes in algorithms, backend development, and cybersecurity, bringing strong problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail to every project.
We worked as full-stack developers for years, helping others build their projects. We wanted to create something of our own, so we started our entrepreneurial journey.
Together, we created ChatGPT Toolbox, a browser extension designed to enhance your ChatGPT experience with a range of productivity features, with features including: - Prompt Library - Export & Pin Chats - Subfolders for Organization - Advanced Search - RTL Support - Save & Download Prompts as MP3 - And much more!
How did you start this business? Take us through the process.
We took a leap of faith and quit our jobs to pursue our dreams of building something of our own.
The journey wasn't easy at first – for six months, we struggled without earning a dime.
But we had a vision: to develop a SaaS product in the AI space, and we knew that ChatGPT was gaining massive popularity worldwide.
As we brainstormed, we realized that there were numerous features users wanted in ChatGPT that weren’t yet available.
We dove into the OpenAI community forum and discovered a list of unmet needs. That’s when we decided to take matters into our own hands and build the solution ourselves.
And so, ChatGPT Toolbox was born. We built our MVP in just one week, and not long after, Chrome awarded us the coveted Featured badge!
Since then, we’ve been growing rapidly, with new users and premium plan purchases coming in every day.
How did you get your first initial customers?
In the beginning, we made the tool completely free to attract users and build a strong community.
We started by posting in AI-focused Facebook groups and even created a dedicated WhatsApp group, which quickly reached full capacity with hundreds of engaged users.
After two months, we transitioned to a Freemium model, and the response was immediate.
Just minutes after making the switch, we got our first purchase. Since then, we’ve seen a steady stream of new paid customers every day.
To promote our product, we’ve been leveraging Meta ads and collaborating with social media influencers, which has helped us expand our reach and grow our user base.
Since launch, what are your marketing strategies or channels to get new customers?
Right now, we’re focused on a combination of social media advertising and community-driven engagement to promote ChatGPT Toolbox and reach new audiences.
Specifically:
Meta Ads: We use Meta ads to target specific audiences interested in AI and productivity tools, helping us drive awareness and conversions.
Collaborations with Social Media Influencers: We work with influencers in the AI and tech space to amplify our message and reach a broader, more relevant audience.
Community Building: We’ve built a strong, engaged community by creating and participating in AI-focused Facebook groups, launching a WhatsApp group, which has become a hub for user interaction, and establishing a Reddit community with nearly 2,000 users at r/chatgpttoolbox. This approach has not only helped us attract users but also fostered a sense of loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals. -
Freemium Strategy: Initially offering the product for free helped us gain traction, and once we switched to a freemium model, we saw our first paid users almost immediately. This strategy ensures that we continue to attract new users while also monetizing our product.
Overall, we focus on leveraging targeted advertising, community engagement, and collaborations to expand our reach and grow our user base.
How does your business make money?
Our business monetizes through a freemium model, where users can access basic features for free, and we offer a premium subscription for access to advanced features and additional functionality.
When we initially launched ChatGPT Toolbox, it was completely free to attract users.
After building a strong user base, we transitioned to the freemium model, which allowed us to begin monetizing. Users can enjoy the core features for free, and the premium subscription gives them access to features such as enhanced functionality, customization options, and other exclusive tools.
We charge a monthly or annual subscription for the premium plan, with pricing structured to be affordable while providing value to our users.
This has been well-received, and we’ve seen consistent growth in daily paid customers.
Exploring potential partnerships or integrations with other platforms in the AI space, which could generate additional revenue streams. These options are on the horizon as we continue to refine our product and grow our user base.
Our business currently generates $8,000 in monthly revenue, with an MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) of $2,000 from our premium subscription plans.
We’ve seen consistent growth in paid customers, with daily new users subscribing to our premium plans.
Our costs primarily include:
Server Costs: To host and maintain the backend infrastructure as we scale our user base (about $80 per month).
Marketing and Advertising: Running Meta ads and collaborations with influencers to attract new users (about $200 per week).
How much time do you spend on the business each week?
The time we spend on the business each week varies, depending on the tasks at hand.
Some weeks, we’re fully immersed in development, marketing, or customer support, which can mean working from morning until night.
Other weeks, we may focus more on strategic planning, partnerships, or scaling efforts, which may be less time-intensive.
Overall, it's safe to say that we dedicate a significant amount of time each week to ensure the business runs smoothly and continues to grow, but the exact hours fluctuate based on the needs and priorities at the time.
Where can we go to learn more about you and your business?
To learn more about us and ChatGPT Toolbox, you can check out:
If you want to engage with our growing community, join us on Reddit !