WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
A great idea isn’t all it takes to become a profitable iPhone app developer. Before devoting time to creating an app, consider its potential realistically.
The best apps cater to niche markets and fulfill unique roles in the App Store. But with half-a-million iPhone apps available—and new ones made daily—original ideas are rare. Here are some steps to take before making your idea into a digital reality:
photo provided by Mike Rohde
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH
Before pursuing an app idea, do your research. If similar apps are already available, don’t waste your time unless you are an expert in that field and have the marketing channels to support the launch. Markets like fitness are particularly popular, so consider a category with fewer competing apps, such as reference or utilities. While you want your app to be specific, apps that are too specialized—say, about a single breed of dog—won’t reach broad enough audiences.
2. DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS
If you’re lucky enough to have an innovative app idea, discuss your plan with iPhone-using friends and coworkers. Just because an app sounds useful to you doesn’t mean that others will want it. Get some honest feedback – they’ll tell you the truth and they’ll help give perspective and new insight.
3. MAP OUT YOUR RESOURCES
Most apps require a substantial budget of time and money. If your app has a timeless subject, you’ll have months to develop it and no hard deadlines. But if it covers a topical subject—like an upcoming political election—you’ll need to get it live as soon as possible. Before committing to an app idea, figure out how many hours a week you’ll be able to devote to its development. After its release, an app will require occasional updates and attention to user comments. Lay out screen by screen of your app. These are called wireframes. The tighter and more specific your wireframes, the easier it is for your developer to quote you a realistic price and get the job done in a timely manner. Wireframes can be hand-drawn or done in Powerpoint or Apple Keynote.
In total, most apps cost tens of thousands of dollars to construct. You’ll spend money designing the app and marketing it through social media and other media outlets. Apps with high budgets can have complex features and vast marketing potential. But, our recommendation out of the gait is to keep the app simple to see if you gain traction before adding complexity.
4. GET QUALITY PEOPLE ON YOUR SIDE
Although an Apple developer license costs just $99, you’ll have to hire a developer if you lack substantial programming skills. Developers can charge upwards of $200/hour, and apps take weeks/months of work to create. Even after an app is done, Apple may require additional tweaks. Hiring a quality development team will ensure fewer necessary changes.
Depending on your skill sets, you might need to hire graphic designers and copywriters to produce app content. The app icon, the first thing users see, is a vital aspect of its design. A team of strong writers, designers, and developers will help you create a flawless and popular app.
5. THINK THINGS THROUGH
Despite the high initial investment, many apps become profitable. iPhone apps generate revenue in a variety of ways, including paid downloads, in-app purchases, advertising, and brand-related sales.
photo provided by Erkka Piirainen
WRAP UP: WINNERS vs FLOPS
Remember, though, that there’s no guarantee your app will be successful. A quick glance through iTunes reveals plenty of useless apps. iTan, for example, emits a blue tanning-like light without actually helping users get color. And the Grass app does nothing but display a picture of grass. With low ratings and poor download rates, these apps were nothing but an epic waste of time.
Despite these flops, some apps do bring high ROIs to their developers. If you keep it niche, enter a category you know something about & have a strong marketing plan behind it, you could be one of the lucky ones. If you do your research, hire a quality team, and discuss your ideas with people you trust, your app might just be a hit.
Do you have some great app ideas up your sleeve? How would you apply these rules to your great idea?
This article is so helpful. I just launched an app, Mole Detective, which takes pictures of moles on your skin and analyzes them for symptoms of melanoma. I am 1.5 months after launch and am doing as much grassroots marketing as possible. it was reassuring to hear that it takes money to really make an app successful. Know morning about a marketing strategy would be helpful.