Recently we had an opportunity to speak with John Fijen, the CEO at SolidAppMaker about Squeeze

Please share with us the backstory of what motivated you to create this app.

Thank you for this opportunity to share the inspiring story behind the creation of Squeeze.

The genesis of Squeeze began with a simple yet profound realization by its co-founders, Brianna Esposito and Kathryn Dunn. They observed a glaring gap in the online dating landscape - the lack of a platform that could integrate the excitement of real-world interactions with the convenience of digital connectivity. Their vision was to create an app that would not just facilitate online matching but also encourage real, in-person interactions in a spontaneous and organic way.

Brianna and Kathryn approached us, SolidAppMaker, with this brilliant concept. They were driven by the desire to reinvent the dating experience, to move away from the endless scrolling and superficial connections that often characterize online dating. Their goal was to create a more dynamic, engaging, and genuine way for people to connect.

The motivation was clear - to make dating fun, spontaneous, and real again. They wanted to build an app that acted as a wingman, helping users find potential matches in real-time, in their immediate surroundings. This concept was not only innovative but also resonated with the growing need for more authentic and meaningful connections in the digital age.

Our role at SolidAppMaker was to turn this vision into reality. We focused on developing a user-friendly, high-performance app that leveraged real-time data to create meaningful connections. The key was to design an app that was intuitive, efficient, and discreet, allowing users to connect with people at the same location based on shared interests.

Squeeze stands out because it addresses the paradox of modern dating - the desire for spontaneity and real connection amid the digital chaos. It encourages users to engage with the world around them, to seize the moment, and to find love in the places they enjoy. This app is not just another dating platform; it's a movement towards making real-life connections a central part of the digital dating experience.

So, the creation of Squeeze was a collaborative effort to fulfill Brianna and Kathryn's dream of transforming the way people connect, date, and find love in today's world. It's a testament to their innovative spirit and our shared commitment to enhancing the human connection.

How is your app different than the rest of the market? Which unique need does it fill?

Squeeze sets itself apart in the crowded market of dating apps by uniquely blending the immediacy and excitement of real-world interactions with the convenience and reach of digital technology. This hybrid approach fills a distinct need in the dating app market – the desire for spontaneous, authentic connections in physical settings, rather than just virtual interactions.

1) Venue-Driven Approach: Unlike traditional dating apps that rely solely on digital profiles and long-distance connections, Squeeze encourages users to engage in real-time, in-person interactions. By focusing on venue check-ins, it transforms everyday locations into potential meeting spots, making the dating process more organic and immediate.

2) Real-Time Matching: Squeeze leverages GPS technology to offer users a list of potential matches who are in the same location at the same time. This feature not only increases the chance of genuine connections but also adds a level of excitement and spontaneity to the dating experience.

3) Discreet Interaction: Understanding the need for subtlety in social settings, Squeeze provides a discreet way for users to express interest in others at the same location. This eliminates the awkwardness typically associated with approaching someone in person, as the app facilitates the initial connection.

4) Instantaneous Meetups: By promoting the concept of 'instant dates', Squeeze encourages users to move beyond the digital realm and engage in face-to-face interactions almost immediately after matching. This feature caters to those who prefer a more dynamic and less time-consuming approach to dating.

5) Community Building: Squeeze is not just about individual connections; it's about building a community of like-minded individuals who value authentic, in-the-moment experiences. It creates a platform for people who share similar interests and frequent similar venues to connect and interact.

6) Reduced Digital Fatigue: In an era where digital fatigue is real, Squeeze offers a refreshing alternative. By emphasizing in-person connections, it reduces the time users spend scrolling through profiles and engaging in prolonged online conversations that may lead nowhere.

In essence, Squeeze fills a unique need for immediacy, authenticity, and spontaneity in the dating scene. It caters to modern daters who seek real connections and experiences over virtual interactions. By doing so, Squeeze is not just another dating app; it's redefining the landscape of modern dating.

What is the coolest or most innovative feature of your app?

The most innovative feature of Squeeze, which truly sets it apart, is its real-time, venue-driven connection capability. This feature is a game-changer in the dating app landscape for several reasons:

Instant Real-World Connections: Squeeze harnesses the power of GPS technology to enable users to discover potential matches who are physically present in the same venue. This immediacy and relevance of connections make Squeeze stand out, as it shifts the focus from virtual swipes to real-life encounters.

The app's check-in functionality at local venues is a novel approach. Users can check into cafes, bars, parks, or any other public place, making these spots instant hubs for potential connections. This transforms everyday locations into dynamic social environments, enhancing the dating experience.

Beyond just matching, Squeeze encourages immediate interaction with its unique "come say hi" feature. Once users match with someone in the same venue, they can use this feature to initiate an in-person meeting right then and there. It encourages spontaneity and real-time engagement, setting the stage for genuine connections.

This real-time, venue-driven connection feature represents a significant leap forward in dating app technology. It not only redefines the user experience but also aligns perfectly with the evolving preferences of modern daters who crave more authentic, spontaneous, and tangible ways to connect.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of the creation of this app?

The most rewarding aspect of creating Squeeze has been witnessing the transformation of the dating landscape through our innovative approach. Specifically, the following elements have made the journey exceptionally gratifying:

1) Fostering Genuine Connections: Seeing Squeeze facilitate real, meaningful connections in a digital age where authentic interaction is often challenging has been incredibly rewarding. Our app has successfully bridged the gap between online swiping and real-world dating, helping people to form tangible relationships.

2) Revolutionizing the Dating Experience: The positive feedback from users who have experienced a more spontaneous and engaging dating process through Squeeze has been extremely fulfilling. Knowing that our app has brought a fresh perspective to dating and made it more enjoyable for many is a significant accomplishment.

3) Encouraging In-Person Interactions: One of the most heartening outcomes has been observing how Squeeze encourages users to meet in person, fostering a sense of immediacy and excitement in dating. This shift from prolonged virtual interactions to instant real-life connections represents a paradigm shift in how people date.

4) Building a Community: It's been gratifying to see Squeeze not only connect individuals but also create a community of users who share similar interests and frequent the same venues. This sense of community building within the app has added a new dimension to the dating experience.

5) Positive Impact on Local Businesses: Squeeze has also had a delightful side effect of driving traffic to local venues, supporting small businesses. The app has indirectly contributed to local economies by transforming various venues into popular meeting spots for our users.

In essence, the most rewarding aspect of creating Squeeze has been the ability to positively impact people's social lives, contribute to local communities, and redefine the norms of online dating, making it more spontaneous, fun, and meaningful.

What surprised you most in your journey to create this app?

In creating the Squeeze app, the most surprising aspect was the level of complexity involved in developing a real-time, venue-driven dating platform. The app's unique premise of connecting people at specific locations in real-time required innovative thinking and technical prowess. We were challenged to seamlessly integrate various technologies such as GPS location tracking, real-time data processing, and discreet matching algorithms.

One of the most striking revelations was the dynamic nature of user behavior and preferences in the dating app market. The insights we gained from user feedback were invaluable, often leading us to pivot and adapt our features to better suit their needs. For instance, the implementation of the “come say hi” button, which encourages immediate, in-person interactions, was a direct response to user input.

Another aspect that stood out was the importance of privacy and discretion in the dating app realm. Ensuring that our users felt comfortable and secure when making connections was paramount, and achieving this in a way that felt natural and unobtrusive was more complex than anticipated.

Overall, the journey to create Squeeze was a blend of technical challenges and enlightening discoveries about human interactions and digital connectivity. The process was not just about building an app, but about crafting an experience that resonated with users on a personal level.

How did you decide which platforms to release your app on and do you plan on releasing your app to other platforms?

In deciding which platforms to release the Squeeze app on, our primary consideration was accessibility for the broadest possible user base. We recognized that the majority of our target audience uses smartphones for their social and dating interactions, and thus, we focused on the two largest mobile operating systems: Android and iOS. This approach allowed us to capture a significant portion of the market, with Google Play Store and Apple App Store being the most popular and widely used app distribution platforms.

The decision to launch on both Android and iOS was also driven by the desire to provide a seamless and consistent user experience across different devices. This inclusivity ensures that our app reaches users regardless of their device preference, promoting wider adoption and engagement.

As for expanding to other platforms, while our current focus remains on optimizing and enhancing the experience on Android and iOS, we are always exploring new opportunities. Our goal is to stay aligned with technological advancements and user trends. Should there be a significant demand or an emerging platform that aligns with our objectives, we are open to considering further expansion. This adaptability is part of our commitment to staying relevant and accessible to all potential users.

Which other mobile apps or technology have inspired you?

Our journey in creating the Squeeze app was significantly inspired by several pioneering mobile apps and technological advancements that have reshaped various industries. Here are a few that particularly influenced us:

1) Tinder: Tinder revolutionized the online dating scene with its simple yet effective swipe mechanism. This app was a significant inspiration for Squeeze, particularly in how it gamified the dating experience and made it more engaging and user-friendly.

2) Uber: Uber's innovative use of geolocation technology to connect service providers and consumers in real-time greatly influenced our approach. We admired how Uber seamlessly integrated location-based services to improve user convenience, which is something we aimed to emulate in Squeeze for connecting people at specific venues.

3) Instagram: Instagram's impact on social interaction and its emphasis on visual communication inspired us to focus on the importance of a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface. Its ability to connect people through shared interests and visuals guided our approach to building a community within Squeeze.

4) AR/VR Technology: The advancements in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have been a source of inspiration for exploring innovative ways to enhance user interaction. While Squeeze doesn't directly use AR/VR, the immersive experiences these technologies provide encouraged us to think about how we can make app interactions more engaging and lifelike.

5) Duolingo: Duolingo’s approach to language learning through a gamified and interactive platform influenced our thoughts on user engagement and retention. Its success in keeping users motivated and consistent was insightful for us in designing Squeeze’s user experience.

6) Slack: Slack's revolution in workplace communication inspired us to consider the importance of seamless communication in our app. Its emphasis on efficient and user-friendly interaction models helped shape our chat and notification features.

These apps and technologies represent a blend of simplicity, innovation, and user-centric design, all of which were key inspirations in the development of Squeeze. They demonstrated the potential of mobile technology to not only simplify tasks but also to create meaningful connections and experiences, which is at the heart of what we strive to achieve with Squeeze.

What features do you hope to roll out to your app in the future?

In the future, we are excited to expand the capabilities of the Squeeze app with several innovative features that will enhance the user experience and offer even more value. Here are some of the key features we are looking forward to rolling out:

1) Augmented Reality (AR) Integrations: We plan to introduce AR features that allow users to engage with their surroundings in a more interactive way. For example, AR could be used to highlight potential matches when users are at a venue, adding an exciting, real-time element to discovering connections.

2) Advanced AI-Driven Matchmaking: Leveraging artificial intelligence, we aim to refine our matchmaking algorithms. This will involve deeper analysis of user preferences, behaviors, and interactions to suggest more compatible matches, thus improving the likelihood of meaningful connections.

3) Enhanced Privacy Controls: Recognizing the importance of privacy in the dating scene, we plan to enhance our privacy controls. This includes more sophisticated settings that allow users to have greater control over who sees their profile and how they interact on the app.

4) Virtual Event Hosting: Given the growing trend of virtual gatherings, we're looking at integrating features that enable users to host or join virtual events. This could be particularly appealing for users who want to connect with others from the comfort of their home or for those who are unable to attend physical venues.

5) Voice and Video Integration: To add more depth to user interactions, we plan to integrate voice and video features. This would allow users to have voice or video chats within the app, providing a more personal way to connect before meeting in person.

6) Community Forums and Groups: To foster a sense of community, we will introduce forums and group features where users can discuss topics of mutual interest, share experiences, or organize group meetups.

7) Health and Safety Features: We're also exploring the integration of health and safety features, such as in-app alerts and advice for safe dating, to ensure our users have a secure and positive experience.

8) Multi-Language Support: To make Squeeze accessible to a wider audience, we aim to expand our language localization features, supporting multiple languages and thus catering to a global user base.

9) Offline Activities and Promotions: Collaborating with local venues and businesses to offer special promotions, discounts, or events for Squeeze users, to encourage real-life interactions and provide additional value to our community.

Each of these features is aimed at enriching the Squeeze experience, making it more engaging, safe, and inclusive for our users. As we continue to evolve, our focus will always be on creating an app that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our user community.

Do you have any recommendations or advice for others wanting to create a mobile app?

Creating a mobile app can be an exciting yet challenging journey. Here are some key recommendations and pieces of advice for anyone aspiring to develop a mobile app:

1) Identify a Unique Value Proposition: Before diving into development, clearly define what unique problem your app solves. Research the market thoroughly to understand your competitors and identify a niche where your app can stand out.

2) Understand Your Audience: Knowing your target audience is crucial. Understand their needs, preferences, and pain points. This insight will guide your app’s design, features, and overall user experience.

3) Focus on User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI): A great UX/UI design is essential. It should be intuitive, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Remember, the first impression is often the lasting impression.

4) Start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Don’t try to launch with every feature you can think of. Start with a basic but functional MVP. This approach allows you to test your concept, gather user feedback, and make iterative improvements.

5) Prioritize Quality and Performance: Ensure your app is fast, responsive, and bug-free. Performance issues or glitches can significantly deter users. Invest in thorough testing and quality assurance.

6) Plan for Multiple Platforms: Consider which platforms (iOS, Android, web) are most suitable for your target audience. Sometimes, starting with one platform and then expanding is more feasible than launching on multiple platforms simultaneously.

7) Sustainable Monetization Strategy: Think about how your app will generate revenue early on. Whether it’s through ads, in-app purchases, subscriptions, or a freemium model, your monetization strategy should align with your user experience and market expectations.

8) Marketing and User Acquisition: Have a solid marketing plan in place before launching. Utilize social media, influencer partnerships, PR releases, and app store optimization (ASO) to increase visibility and attract users.

9) Listen to User Feedback: Once your app is live, actively seek and listen to user feedback. This feedback is invaluable for making improvements, fixing issues, and developing features that truly resonate with your users.

10) Stay Agile and Adapt: The mobile app market is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends, technology advancements, and user preferences. Be ready to adapt and evolve your app accordingly.

11) Network and Collaborate: Engage with other app developers and tech communities. Networking can provide valuable insights, potential partnerships, and support systems.

12) Persistence and Patience: Finally, be prepared for challenges and setbacks. App development is a marathon, not a sprint. Patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes are key to success.

Remember, creating a successful mobile app is not just about having a great idea; it’s about execution, user engagement, and continuous improvement.