As a teacher, I've observed the challenges my students face for years. One of the biggest issues was maintaining vocabulary learning motivation. To solve this problem, I decided to develop my own mobile app called KelimEZ.
Why I Built My Own App
There are many vocabulary learning apps on the market. However, finding one designed for Turkish learners that effectively uses gamification elements and is user-friendly was difficult.
💡 Key Lesson: Before starting an app idea, question whether it solves a real problem. I observed this problem for years — so my motivation never faded.
Technology Choice: Why Flutter?
I chose Flutter because:
- Single codebase: Build both iOS and Android apps with the same code
- Hot Reload: See changes instantly when you modify code
- Performance: Near-native performance
- Rich widget library: Rapid prototyping with ready components
Technologies I Used in KelimEZ
Development Process
1. Planning and Design
Before writing code, I clearly defined what the app would do:
- Flashcard system
- Spaced repetition algorithm
- Daily reminders and streak system
- Gamification elements (badges, levels, points)
2. MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
Instead of trying to do everything at once, I released a version with only the most essential features. This allowed me to test quickly and get real user feedback.
🚀 MVP Principle: If your first version isn't embarrassing, you've launched too late.
Publishing to App Stores
Apple App Store
- Apple Developer account: $99/year
- Privacy policy required
- Review process: 1-3 days
Google Play Store
- Google Play Console: One-time $25
- AAB format upload
- Content rating questionnaire
Key Lessons Learned
- Start small: Begin with MVP
- User feedback is gold: Act on real data, not assumptions
- Consistency matters: A little work daily beats occasional sprints
- Write documentation: You might not understand your own code after 3 months
📱 Try KelimEZ: Download from App Store
Conclusion
Building a mobile app from scratch is challenging but incredibly rewarding. If you have an idea, start today. It doesn't have to be perfect — you just have to start.