Can I sell a purely informational app?

Banned 8 years ago

Originally Posted by WhatTheHeck

Is it possible to make money with an app that's just information?

My original idea was to make a laminated cheat sheet that would show truckers how to do a specific mechanical job to their trucks. The value is to have a convenient tutorial right there with you as you work on your truck, presumably on the side of the road. But then I thought an app would work just as well, if it had good illustrations or videos to walk them through the process.

I was looking for other apps that were just information, and I found a first-aid app selling for $1.99. Is this idea workable?

I think it's a great idea.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791676].message }}

WhatTheHeck 8 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

I think it's a great idea.

Well that's encouraging, thanks It's a simple idea but I'd have to pull together some freelancers to make it happen. I haven't ever done anything like this before.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791697].message }}

Junaid khawaja

8 years ago

Sure it is! There are many information apps already on IOS and play store. In fact, recently, there was a huge surge on pokemon Go related information apps!
Btw your idea seems quite interesting. It can become a must-have app for every trucker!
-J

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

I am conducting 5 FREE copy consultations till New Year...Jump onto my bandwagon while you still can..

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791707].message }}

vedremo

Banned 8 years ago

Originally Posted by WhatTheHeck

Is it possible to make money with an app that's just information?

My original idea was to make a laminated cheat sheet that would show truckers how to do a specific mechanical job to their trucks. The value is to have a convenient tutorial right there with you as you work on your truck, presumably on the side of the road. But then I thought an app would work just as well, if it had good illustrations or videos to walk them through the process.

I was looking for other apps that were just information, and I found a first-aid app selling for $1.99. Is this idea workable?

Seems like a good idea. The source code can easily be adapted to similar tasks across different industries.

Make sure you have a decent marketing plan. How are people ever going to find it. Who will be your influencers. Who will promote the app. What journalists want to know about this app. Your angle could be like Shopify's Kit - your assistant for on the go. It can break into the market of men and women (particularly Gen Y) that don't know how to independently change a tyre.

So many (most) apps never generate an roi despite being good ideas in theory. See AppAnnie.com.

If this is your first app I would say to not invest a lot while you learn the game and get used to the publisher landscape. Start with a MVP and build on it. See The Lean Startup & PayPal Wars.

I started like this a few years ago with basic apps using recycled source code. Those apps still make $XXXX every month even as MVP's.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791713].message }}

amatya

8 years ago

This is a great idea, it is very interesting and fruitful to all concern. I think every trucker should have this app.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791719].message }}

Gambino

8 years ago

It sounds like a good idea to me. I would survey new truckers and trucking companies to get their thoughts.

The fact that there isn't anything in the App Store that does this either means it's an untapped market or there isn't a market for it.

However, I think it's worth considering creating an app and marketing it directly to trucking companies. How much time and money could they save if their truckers could easily perform maintenance to their trucks on the side of the road? How much is that worth?

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791735].message }}

yukon

Banned 8 years ago

I seriously doubt the large trucking companies (ex: Schneider, Swift, Werner, etc..) want drivers doing repairs. Those businesses all have their own dedicated termianls with repair shops and contracts with repair shops at truck stops (in the US).

So really OPs demographic would be owner operators, the guys that are paying the repair bills directly out of their own pocket.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791753].message }}

Gambino

8 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

I seriously doubt the large trucking companies (ex: Schneider, Swift, Werner, etc..) want drivers doing repairs. Those businesses all have their own dedicated termianls with repair shops and contracts with repair shops at truck stops (in the US).

So really OPs demographic would be owner operators, the guys that are paying the repair bills directly out of their own pocket.

Many small trucking businesses/owner/operators have fleets of 20 all the way up to 100+ trucks. So, we're not just talking about the biggest trucking companies on the planet.

From the OP, it sounds like he's focused on at least one specific mechanical job that doesn't seem to be too intensive.

The cost savings for roadside assistance and/or towing for those companies could be substantial. I look at it from the standpoint "who does the app help the most?" and I would think that'd be the owner/company.

Granted, I've never worked in the industry, but I have worked somewhere that relied heavily on small and medium sized trucking companies. I have no idea how it works but I assume drivers are compensated for their time when they are broken down on the side of the road due to mechanic failures, even if they're paid by the mile. If so, why would the driver go above and beyond, unless it's his truck which again, would mean target the owners.

There's definitely some market research to be done.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791764].message }}

yukon

Banned 8 years ago

Originally Posted by Gambino

Many small trucking businesses/owner/operators have fleets of 20 all the way up to 100+ trucks. So, we're not just talking about the biggest trucking companies on the planet.

From the OP, it sounds like he's focused on at least one specific mechanical job that doesn't seem to be too intensive.

The cost savings for roadside assistance and/or towing for those companies could be substantial. I look at it from the standpoint "who does the app help the most?" and I would think that'd be the owner/company.

Granted, I've never worked in the industry, but I have worked somewhere that relied heavily on small and medium sized trucking companies. I have no idea how it works but I assume drivers are compensated for their time when they are broken down on the side of the road due to mechanic failures, even if they're paid by the mile. If so, why would the driver go above and beyond, unless it's his truck which again, would mean target the owners.

There's definitely some market research to be done.

So If you owned 20 trucks that each cost $150,000 you would be ok with an inexperienced person doing mechanic work. You're braver than the average business owner.

The average company truck driver is lucky to have a pair of leather gloves and a roll of duct tape.

Company drivers do not care If a truck breaks down, not their problem. They'll be put up in a motel until the truck is fixed under an existing maintenance contract or they can catch the next ride out with another company driver to pick up another truck.

Also keep in mind US law requires a truck to pass DOT inspection. If OP is talking about minor things like changing light bulbs and windshield wipers great, but they best not be overhauling things like air brakes on the side of the road.

FYI, a lot of trucking companies don't allow drivers to mess with trucks other than the basic inspection required for a CDL test. They do that because it's a major liability to have inexperienced people working on vehicles that travel federal highways.

Again, OPs demographic would be owner operators.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791942].message }}

Gambino

8 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

So If you owned 20 trucks that each cost $150,000 you would be ok with an inexperienced person doing mechanic work. You're braver than the average business owner.

Again, it depends on what the OP means by "how to do a specific mechanical job to their trucks". Are we talking regular maintenance of an in-depth mechanical job. The OP clearly knows more about trucking than both of us combined, but the way I read it is that this type of work is fairly common in the OPs experience.

Originally Posted by yukon

Company drivers do not care If a truck breaks down, not their problem. They'll be put up in a motel until the truck is fixed under an existing maintenance contract or they can catch the next ride out with another company driver to pick up another truck.

That was my point exactly when I said I don't think this app would get a lot of traction at $1.99 in an App Store. This needs to be sold directly to the people who on the hook for the cost of repairs and towing.

Originally Posted by yukon

If OP is talking about minor things like changing light bulbs and windshield wipers great, but they best not be overhauling things like air brakes on the side of the road.

My point exactly.

Originally Posted by yukon

FYI, a lot of trucking companies don't allow drivers to mess with trucks other than the basic inspection required for a CDL test. They do that because it's a major liability to have inexperienced people working on vehicles that travel federal highways.

This I disagree with. Almost every single 18 wheeler that is pulled over on the side of the road has a popped hood with a driver looking in it. Again, I'm not familiar with trucking, but I would think the average truck driver was fairly competent about vehicle problems at least as far as diagnosing them and giving the info the their company. I find it hand to believe people would be $150,000 pieces of equipment without the basic knowledge of how they work. If not, there's another potential revenue stream for the OP.

Do agree with the owner operator comment but most owner operators own multiple routes and vehicles making it impossible to drive them all thus, why they hire drivers. Again, that's why would target small to medium sized owner operators.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791952].message }}

gingerninjas

8 years ago

Hi, I think there are heaps of opportunities here and you could broaden the scope for other niche areas including motorbike riders, personal cars, new drivers (youth) and other machinery for farms etc. I do agree some bit companies would engage repair services rather than getting their own drivers to fix trucks, however it could be a good option to troubleshoot what could be wrong for the initial phase of reporting repair. I think some of the most successful apps are usually the simplest.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791766].message }}

yakhawaja

8 years ago

I would recommend you make an information product, and distribute it using android app. Then either make money from selling it to your audience for a fee OR give it away for free and make money via apps.

I have seen many friends of mine who launched free apps making good money using mobile adsense code etc

Thanks

Signature

Break Through funnel management software helps you create million dollar Sales

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791896].message }}

Regional Warrior

8 years ago

Sorry to pop the bubble but do you know how many trucks there are and makes in the world ? just not feasible , then you petrol and deasel and what about the parts? no truckie has all the parts stored in the cabin and most know how to fix there truck in the first place

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791903].message }}

Gambino

8 years ago

Originally Posted by Regional Warrior

Sorry to pop the bubble but do you know how many trucks there are and makes in the world ? just not feasible , then you petrol and deasel and what about the parts? no truckie has all the parts stored in the cabin and most know how to fix there truck in the first place

He asked about an app that would "show truckers how to do a specific mechanical job". I don't think he's talking about a complete engine rebuild and fixing every mechanical issue that can arise. Probably more comparable to changing your oil than rebuilding an engine.

Also, most engines are built with the same/similar parts. It's not like every truck has a unique engine in it.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791921].message }}

yukon

Banned 8 years ago

Originally Posted by Gambino

He asked about an app that would "show truckers how to do a specific mechanical job". I don't think he's talking about a complete engine rebuild and fixing every mechanical issue that can arise. Probably more comparable to changing your oil than rebuilding an engine.

Also, most engines are built with the same/similar parts. It's not like every truck has a unique engine in it.

No company driver will ever change the oil on a truck. Not happening. Ever.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791947].message }}

Gambino 8 years ago

Originally Posted by yukon

No company driver will ever change the oil on a truck. Not happening. Ever.

Dude, that was an example of a minor maintenance issue.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791968].message }}

hynds

8 years ago

Originally Posted by WhatTheHeck

Is it possible to make money with an app that's just information?

My original idea was to make a laminated cheat sheet that would show truckers how to do a specific mechanical job to their trucks. The value is to have a convenient tutorial right there with you as you work on your truck, presumably on the side of the road. But then I thought an app would work just as well, if it had good illustrations or videos to walk them through the process.

I was looking for other apps that were just information, and I found a first-aid app selling for $1.99. Is this idea workable?

I think that's a good idea and you need to start now. Make the app and develop more, that may help you have a successful own start-up

Thanks

Signature

â–º Top 10 Best Domain Name Marketplaces

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10791978].message }}

WhatTheHeck

8 years ago

Thanks everyone for the replies! I was purposely a little vague on the exact mechanical job, but suffice it to say it's the kind of thing any trucker should know how to do. But many don't. I know this because I was a rookie truck driver once

Anyway the only obstacle for me here is the app-building. The actual content is no problem, I could put that together today. And, as it happens, I have the afternoon off

Does anyone have any recommendations for outsourcing the app? Should I just use Upwork?

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[10792153].message }}

Can I sell a purely informational app?

Trending Topics

Been a while! Any of you Old Timers here?

How much does the rebranding affect CR ?

Are billboards still effective in driving customers?

Boat and Jet Ski Rentals...... Door Hangers Effective?

A Very Strange Internet Problem