Google Play and Apple’s App Store both have over 2 million apps in their marketplace. Do you think you’ve got an app idea that’ll top the charts? Before you hit the ground running with your app idea, here’s 5 important questions to ask yourself.
1. Who is My Target Audience?
Your primary goal is to get your target user to download your app. Knowing your target audience should guide every choice you make for your app. You should create your app to fill some sort of need in the marketplace.
Your target audience should also drive your app design. For example, an app for teenagers should have a flashy and edgy design. An app geared towards the workplace should be more refined and elegant.
If you’re wondering if your audience will enjoy your product, get a prototype running. Testers of the app, as well as app purchasers, often provide excellent feedback.
2. How Will My App Idea Get Created?
The next thing you need to ask yourself is how your app idea will get turned into a reality. If you know some coding, then by all means, create it yourself! But if the words Swift, Python, and Java are meaningless to you, then consider outsourcing.
There are several custom software development companies out there that can turn your dream into a reality. So if you don’t know the first thing about coding, consider your options.
3. How Much Does It Cost?
This is a complex question and can vary widely. If you’re creating the app yourself, you really only need to pay the publishing fees. That means $99 per year for Apple and $25 per app for Google Play.
If you’re outsourcing any part of your app (creation, marketing, etc.), then you have to pay for those services. It’s best to break down your costs into fixed costs (overheads) and variable costs. Pricing these out ahead of time and having a plan will help you secure funds from other sources.
4. What’s My Monetization Strategy?
It’s important to have this sorted out beforehand. If you plan on charging for the app, will it be a fixed price, a subscription, or have in-app purchases? If you plan to rely on ads, you’ll need to consider how many and how often they appear.
And a third option is to use the app to complement your primary business. In this case, you’ll want to use the app to drive traffic to your primary business. No matter what, it’s important to have an app monetization strategy in place.
5. What Are My Risks?
A variety of factors can limit the success of your app idea. First, consider internal risks. You or your team can anticipate some of these ahead of time and prepare solutions.
Meanwhile, external risks are a bit outside of your control. These risks depend on outside factors you depend on and can modify your costs.
Realize that not all app ideas will work. If your app isn’t getting the expected traction, it might be time to move on to the next idea. After all, successful individuals fail all the time.
Create Your App Today!
Now that you’ve answered these questions, you’re ready to make your app idea a reality. Check out our comprehensive guide to app development as a road map to get started.
