Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

I would like to build a "directory-type" mobile app for a specific business niche. My revenue would come from users calling the businesses listed in the app and the business making a "sale", then paying me a % commission. To know if a sale is made as a result of using my app, I would want to have call tracking numbers for each business listed in the directory and then the ability to record the calls. Of course, for privacy concerns, the beginning of the call would play a recording that says, "For quality control purposes, this call may be recorded." Is this do-able? I called a mobile app developer the other day and they said such an app would NOT be approved by Apple because of privacy issues (I guess as it relates to the recording of the call.) Any suggestions? Thanks!

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

Are people going to download that type of app onto their phone? Why not just build an Mobile Website Directory, you won't have to worry about Apple.

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

It probably depends on the niche. I cannot think of any niches that an app would add value to a customer. An offline niche like lawyers? Or is it an IM niche like SEO companies?

I am an app developer and see thousands of apps that I see not value to take up space on my phone.

There might be some value in building a directory for a region for several niches. For lack of a better description, like a yellow pages app for a local area. So Cityname directory app. Local residents are more likely to download an app that has more targeted businesses for them. That way if they are searching for a roofer, electrician, attorney, cpa et al, they can use your directory app faster than and search engine search.

Now to totally contradict everything I just said, I am working on a niche specific app that will be nationwide. It is a lower end niche, that I will be offering business owners a free listing, and then pay to 'upgrade' their listing. What will be special about mine is it will show members of this niche the closest ones to them by proximity. Then I will be able to do geo-targeted pushes based on location.

You might have a great idea, but you need to figure out what will make it valuable to make people download it to their phone, keep in installed and also use it. If you can overcome that, then you may have a home run.

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

The app for the niche that I am thinking about has a middle to higher socioeconomic user. So, first thought, is that 'yes', most would have smartphones. Second, given how the product/service is used, it could easily be promoted by business owners. If an incentive was offered (e.g. 10% off your next purchase), I believe (but not 100% certain), that people would download the app.

Regarding your second question, about doing it as a mobile website directory...help me out here (I'm still wrapping my head around this mobile app vs. mobile website thing): A 'must have' function of the app would be the ability to push messages based on location and for the user to find listed businesses based on location. My understanding is that you need an app to do the push messaging and to take advantage of the GPS functionality in the phone. A mobile website, I thought, could not do this.

Thanks for your insights...

Cheers,
HalfSwede

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

Hi AUKev...thanks for the reply. Can you explain a bit more how the 'geo-targeted' pushes would work for the user. Let's say I'm driving through Kansas and my app is a directory of independent steak houses and I want a steak. I'm assuming that when I start the app and select the option to "Show Me the 3 Nearest Independent Steakhouses"...it would just spit back the results. Pretty straight forward as far as the end user is concerned, right?

Second, with respect to my idea: I think my target market would find it valuable, and would keep it installed and use it. Not that this is my niche, but using the above example, if I traveled a lot and was always looking for a good steak from an independent steak house, I think I would download and use the app. Of course, won't know without testing or actually trying, but I think my idea does fit your criteria.

Cheers,
Herb

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

You don't need an app to do Push Notifications. Check this out: http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...-frontier.html

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

Mobile websites can do this just fine.

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

Hey Halfswede
The app with concept that you described can be made easily but there will be an issue of privacy while recording calls. Check out the privacy guidelines for accepting the app from Apple, if you find no such clause there you must go on developing the app else prefer to have a mobile website.

Re: Can I Do This As A Mobile App...
 

I always think it is best to go with the mobile website and then go with the ap after they have some loyal clients....