4 ms·
Wow, this is a great question. I run newgenapps.com We have been developing apps since July 2008, since the iPhone SDK went public. We have seen the whole app
by auser678 14y ago
Wow, this is a great question. I run newgenapps.com We have been developing apps since July 2008, since the iPhone SDK went public.
We have seen the whole app economy grow from zero to what it is today, and we have seen some really interesting business models emerge.
1. The iPhone and iPad have opened numerous possibilities to develop some really amazing apps. Angry Birds was a game waiting for iPhone to happen. So if you are able to find a space that fits your idea, you can make some real money.Education, Music, Productivity are some really cool categories where a lot of innovation is happening.
2. A me too app seldom works
3. In app purchases is a brilliant way to monetize. This model lets an app go viral while also making revenue through good segmentation
4. If you have a successful app, the Return on Investment can be quite huge. Hence it makes a lot of sense to have a 'Portfolio of Apps' and reinvest.
5. Localization is an under appreciated feature. Many apps can double or triple revenue after being localized.
6. Apps have become an integral point of presence for any business
7. Apps also augment a number of products or services. They may not generate revenue themselves, but can help sales of the product or service
8. A successful app, designed well in a manner to provide recurring revenue stream can easily do USD 10 to 20k in revenue every month supported and maintained by a single developer.
And yes, developing apps is a highly enjoyable and satisfying job!
- josephlord 14y ago> 5. Localization is an under appreciated feature. Many apps can double or triple revenue after being localized. Which languages do you prioritise? How many do you need to cover to get the double/triple benefit?
- auser678 14y agoDepends on the kind of apps. Japan and China are huge markets, but a western oriented app may not work there. While that same app can work when localized for France, Germany etc These are the major languages I would look at 1. Spanish 2. Portugese 3. German 4. French 5. Chinese 6. Japanese
- andrewljohnson 14y agoSort by economic wealth, but really, why prioritize? It's only .07 per word to translate an app, less if you are creative.
- adrianpike 14y agoWhere do you get your translations done, if you don't mind me asking?
- gspyrou 14y agoI have localized some of my WP7 apps using gengo.com .
- andrewljohnson 14y agoI've used gengo.com, icanlocalize.com, and also random sources - sometimes users help, our head of support speaks French, and our intern speaks Mandarin.
- andrewljohnson 14y agoAgree with all points except for #2. Me too apps are the least-risky way to make money. You are going into a known market with little technical risk. All that remains is to beat the other guy, and the smaller the market, the bigger the chump the other guy is likely to be. Want to make a billion dollars? Don't make the 100th bible app. Trying to pay rent? Don't make your new creative photo-sharing app.