Given the various tools and other facilities for mobile app development today, it is not really that difficult to get into this field, if you think that is your passion. What is more; if your app turns out to become successful in the app market, you could well be earning a steady income from it as well. Of course, while it is possible to make a neat profit out of app development, there are certain facts you should be well aware of, before you step into this field on a full-time basis.Here are certain aspects you should consider prior to developing your mobile app:
1. Cost of Developing Apps
Needless to say, the very first thing you should consider is the cost of app development. Be aware that you can expect to spend at least $5,000 for the most basic app. If you are competent enough to manage the entire app development process yourself, you can end up saving a lot of money. But you will still have to take tremendous effort even to create the simplest of apps.
In case you decide to hire an app developer, you will be billed by the hour. That can substantially raise your total costs. While there are developers who are willing to finish your job for a nominal amount, you will need to find out if they will be able to offer you the quality you are looking for. Ideally, look for a local developer, so that you can meet up often and work together often.
Apart from the developer cost, you also need to think of the cost of registering at app stores of your choice, as also app marketing costs.
2. Legal Agreement
Once you have found the right developer for your needs, you need to chart out a proper legal agreement with all the payment and other terms in place. While this makes the whole process trouble-free to that extent, it would also ensure that your developer would not abandon you and walk out halfway through the project.
Get a lawyer to prepare your legal papers, discuss all the terms and conditions with your developer and get the papers duly signed, before starting with your project.
3. Pricing Your App
In case you are planning to charge for your app, you could initially charge anything between $0.99 and $1.99. You could probably offer a discount during holidays and special occasions. Of course, in case you are thinking of app monetization, you could also think of offering your app free of charge, or offer a free “lite” version, just to test the initial public response for your app.
Certain app stores, such as the Apple App Store, pay you only via direct deposits. You will have to figure out that aspect too, before submitting your app.
4. Writing an App Description
Your app description is what is going to attract users to try it out. See to it that you word the description right. In case you are unsure about this step, you could look up how top-selling app developers describe their own apps and follow their example. Create a Website for your app if you wish, put in your description and add a few screenshots and videos.
5. Testing Your App
The best way to test your app would be to try running it on the actual device it is intended for. You have simulators as well, but you may not get to see the exact results this way.
6. Promoting the App
Next comes the promotion factor. You need to let people know about your app. Submit your app to various app review sites and share it on the major social networks and video sites, such as YouTube and Vimeo. Additionally, host a press release and invite press and media coverage for your app. Offer promo codes to the concerned media personnel, so that they can try out and review your app. Your main aim should be to get as much attention for your app as possible.
If you are lucky enough to make it to the “What’s Hot” or “Featured Apps” section, you will start enjoying a steady stream of users for your app. You can then think of other novel ways to keep attracting more customers toward your app.
Source: MobileAdvices.about.com
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