Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Hi,
i m a totaly newbie in IM and i m a programmer and i was thinking of creating an Android/iphone application (possibly a game or an ebook application etc).

Now when i go to the Android/Apple market i can see several paid apps of any type that got many thousand of downloads (the paid ones not the free ones). So i wonder, as soon as you make an application is it that easy an application to sell or do i need to make any sort of IM as well?

Thanks

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

You are only seeing the apps that are selling. Do you know in the Apple App store there are over 400,000 apps that have not sold even 1 copy. You never hear about those do you?

To have a successful app takes a lot of work. There are absolutely no guarantees. The truth is, going by statistics, your app is more likely to be a failure than a success.

So please don't think this is some easy money grab -- because it isn't.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Thanks for your answer.

No I wasnt aware of it to be honest. Thanks for letting me know. So that means even if you create a really cool and great app/game or whatever it may still not sale at all? ok i m sure the answer is yes on that but my question really is it hasn't to do with the quality of the app you re selling?

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

yeah to make money with an app....android or iphone...is not uber easy..

...I used the free online appmakr and made a total of 10 apps....for android..iphone and windows phone..

...they were all made with rss feeds and then using the free online software that converts to coded app to download.

...You make money with them.....if you offer a free app..from ads that are inside your app...or ads that pop up while you're using app....like admob..

So you have to get a developer lic for apple that is a $100 a year...and android/windows is cheaper....

then after that you can create and upload the apps.

...I found that with my iphone apps...the ads weren't showing....and I was not getting impressions because the sdk wasn't working....freaking waste of time..

..the best way to make money with apps...is to make games...that's what people use the most....once you build a following the sales will increase...

....but you have to have a budget to program a game...

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

I'm not saying it's impossible but the success of an app is dependent on a LOT more things than just how cool or useful the app is. I'm sure you would find a ton of the apps that have never even sold one copy are more useful than those that have sold thousands and thousands.

It's kind of like the WSO section in this very forum. A lot of people come along and see all these WSO offers that are selling thousands of copies. They think it must be easy so they release their own WSO and it sells hardly any copies. The reality is the WSO's that are successful on this very make up only a very very small percentage of the total WSOs that are launched. No one ever talks about the thousands and thousands of WSO offers that launched and never made a sale.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Very true, people these days think that if they get an app in the app store they will make money when more then half will never get downloaded once.

Save yourself the time and go Mobile Web and avoid the hype train. Unless of course you are a kick ass developer who will put together some sort of crazy app/game/productivity tool....

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

thanks for all your help and answers. Although its really does sounds to me very nice as an idea to build games, stories etc the reality is different as i understand and i dont wanna be another addition in the 400k stack. i was only thinking about it since it would be no cost for me on the programming part.

may be i should start looking at others IM parts. Although i start believing that in these days IM is really taugh to achieve anything unless you re really experience and already in the playfield for many yeas.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Not so. There are tons of opportunities in the IM niche. Just remember that as the market grows there might be more people selling products in the Im niche but there are also more and more people buying products in the IM niche.

With the way the economy is now and in the near future, more and more people are going to be looking for ways to make extra income or replace a job they have lost. Online is the natural choice for a lot of people.

This opportunity is only going to get bigger so the sooner you jump on board, the better.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Some apps probably take off on their own, but also quite a few need outside promotion to be financially successful.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

I read somewhere the average marketing budget for a #1 FREE app launch in the Apple app store was $55,000 USD.

I can not find the link so don't quote me on that but it certainly would not surprise me.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

If you're going to be so easily discouraged, it probably doesn't matter much what avenue you choose to make money online. Your mindset could use a bit of a tune-up. Just sayin...

No respect whatsoever to WillR and Kevin Z, but they don't know anything about you. They are speaking statistically. Nothing they said means that YOU are going to fail if you try to make money building apps. If you have the programming skills, you should give it a try. You'll be far ahead of people who have zero coding skills and want to become zillionaires off of mobile apps.

With that being said, it's not likely you can whip out an app and start making Angry Birds money off it. There *is* quite a bit of hype these days that make it sound like it's a cinch, especially with the release of several new app builders.

But if you have the knowledge, desire and some ideas, then go for it. IMO, mobile apps are here to stay.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Do you have any App ready you programmed - anything?

If you do have Apps you made already then your business might be - coding Apps for others (like me - I am totally code blond). There are a lot of software offers and appmakers out there but they are all very limited in features (most of them do photos, and rss feeds only).

May be you are lacking the money making App idea... but there are a lot of people out there that have ideas but lack the skills to programm their own Apps. Probably your business is not to create your own App - create Apps for those that dont know how to code but have an idea...

If you have some Apps ready then show what you are capable of creating. Get a simple website ready and demonstrate your skills.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Hey solomos
The app stores are having such a large collection of apps that good number of apps have never got any download. Even if you have made a fabulous application it is worthless if your targeted audience don't know about it, they are not gonna download it. The app store will show your app(if it worth) at the starting but later it will get lost in the crowd. You must execute nice strategy of app promotion if you wish your app to get downloaded and earn from it.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

I wasn't trying to discourage him, just give him a more realistic view based on the comments he had made in his original post about all aps he had seen were selling thousands of copies.

The bigger picture is all the rest of the apps that have made no money.

Heck, if you have the skills or can outsource and you have an idea you think will work very well, by all means, give it a shot. But just realize there is a LOT more to a successful app than just creating it.

But I definitely do not want to discourage innovation. That was not my intention.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Thanks for all your answers.

I have great programming skills and great inovative mobile/web ideas as well. What i totally lack of is marketing skills. Unfortunately most of my ideas soon or later after a few years are being implemented by others. But for some reason i ve got this vision gift. Thats why i m looking of IM now so to check how i can promote my ideas. But its really tough to do everything in your own.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

I would say honestly dude is to look for a partner. The best way would to work for someone with someone who is doing it.

People are always looking for good developers myself included.

To make some money check out freelancer and Odesk,

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

Thanks for your suggestion. Yes i do use freelancer a lot. I m always looking for help. Its impossible to do everything my self.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application
 

You need to develop a fantastic app to start with. If you have a good direction on where your app is going, then good for you. The thing is, marketing is not some sort of magic bullet that can instantly generate amazing volumes of sales but it does help give your app some face considering that there a millions of different Android/iOS app out there struggling to be noticed. Most app consultants would usually provide an exhaustive app marketing strategies that includes pre-launch and post-launch output. You can decide on doing the marketing on your own (which could take a good chunk of your time and energy) or just find a reliable app marketer to do that for you. But I suggest, just like how other app developers who made it big in this industry, is to do your own research first----how to make your app more unique, knowing your competitors, choosing the right name, and creating an amazing icon, etc and work with an app marketing company to do the marketing dirty work for you. So simply, it is not that easy. it takes having the right app, and then a marketing plan to make it work, and if you get those 2 combos right, then it will take off.

Re: Question on creating an Android/Apple application