Thanks to Jason Howie for the image
Apps are great. There now over a million of them across Android phones, tablets and iPhones. Some have made their developers very rich. Others have helped their businesses market themselves better. Some apps have changed the way we live. They have provided us with better information or entertainment. Some just keep us busy on the way to work. If you have a great idea, you too can make an app.
If you haven’t got the first clue how to turn your idea into an app, then don’t worry. It’s really not as hard as you think. You don’t have to be a computer genius to make it work. You don’t have to be rich either. App development can cost as much, or as little, as you want it to. The world needs your app idea! If it’s in your head, you can make it happen. It will take a little research and some hard work, but it is possible.
What type of app should I make?
Think about what purpose your app should serve. Is it simply to help your business function better? Do you want to make a lot of money from it? Or do you want to use it to market your company? The answers to these questions will determine your next step. If you want to make money, you need to fill a gap and serve a wide community. Something universal, like finding out who owns the number that called you, is the best way to go. Niche apps won’t make much money, however useful they are.
iPhone or Android?
You can’t make an app and simultaneously push it to both the App Store and Android Market Place. They must be developed separately as they use different coding. Apple has a more rigorous review process that can take a while. They may require you to make changes to suit their system. Android, on the other hand, lets you publish immediately. The app will appear online roughly 20 minutes later. However, the App Store generally seems to provide better sales and downloads.
Can I make it myself?
You can. The coding is not that complex. Start small by simply reskinning an app. There are plenty of tutorials on the web. A little research will go a long way. If you want to make a business from app building, these are skills you should learn. Don’t waste money on a developer unless you need a super fast turnaround on a one-off app.
How much should I charge?
If it’s your first app, you’ll get the best results by giving it away for free. This is particularly important with gaming apps. Gain a few users and reviews by building up downloads. Once you have a product of value, you can put a price on it. People will pay, but only when the demand is there.
The world is becoming more and more mobile. If there is one business sector that is set to thrive in the next ten years, it’s apps. Tablets are now overtaking laptop sales and mobile phones are more sophisticated than ever. If you think you can contribute to this market, then there is nothing stopping you. Get online and learn the skills you need to make your app a success.