3 ms·

Idea for an app but no programming skill. how to bring it alive?

9 points by amrrs 12y ago

I've an idea for an app, but have no programming skills. How can i bring it alive? if i hire a developer, how to believe that the dev won't publish the app himself? Advice please.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
vitovito 12y ago
The simple answer is, it's in the contract. Your contract with your developer, which you both negotiate and sign, says that you pay for them to develop your app, and perhaps would have a non-compete clause to prevent them from self-publishing a similar app within, say, a year. If they violate the terms of the contract, your lawyer sues them. Now, this is tricky in general, because app store submission processes are developer-oriented, and there will inevitably be bugs, which your developer will have to fix. There are a lot of details to hammer out on how to arrange all of that. But it's not a trust issue, it's just a paperwork one, as long as you can afford to enforce it. Now, if you can't afford to enforce it, then you do need trust. And one way to have that trust is to have respect. A developer will respect you more if you bring something tangible to the table. That is, more than just an idea. This is the long answer. If all you have is an idea, then a developer (or designer, for that matter) is going to have to figure out a lot on their own. They're going to have to figure out what you mean, who the users are going to be, what the users want, how the marketing will promote the app, what it should cost, how many users at one time the app will have to handle, on and on, every detail. There will be so many details that you haven't thought of yet, that the developer will have to figure out, that it will basically be the developer's app. Any developer (or designer) worth their salt is going to ask for at least 51% equity in your company to build your idea, because they will basically be doing all the work. The only way to retain control, and to earn enough respect to deserve it, is to do all of that work up front, yourself. That's the role of the businessperson in a startup. You do all the market research to figure out that people will definitely buy this kind app. You do all customer development to figure out what problem this app will solve for them. You do all the user research to figure out exactly how the app will solve that problem. You do the competitive analysis to figure out the price and positioning of your app relative to other solutions in the market. You do all the sales channel development to figure out how to tell people about the app. You do all the projections to figure out how much money you might make. And then you put that all in a Powerpoint to convince a developer that "all" they need to do is build it, they can focus on code and not have to worry about all that business stuff, you've got it covered. That's your job. An idea isn't good enough. There's a lot more than just programming that goes into an app, and you have to have covered everything else if all you want is a programmer to build you something. Good luck!
- amrrs 12y ago
  Great. Never thought all these stuffs go into the app along with the code. And yes, As you said i've done some part of my homework too. so it won't be the developer doing everything himself. But my concern, i don't know whether the app is possible to be developed or not. And i've budget issue also. So i have to explain the idea to the developer, before we sign contract right? so that he can tell me whether it can be done or not. Is there any other work around that you can suggest me?
  - vitovito 12y ago
    The simple answer is, have them sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement). That protects your idea. But, again, if you can't afford to enforce it, then there's not a lot of point in doing the paperwork. And, many developers (and designers) won't sign NDAs just for discussions. In reality, most freelance developers have more work than they can handle, and pick and choose their projects, and aren't going to steal anyone's idea because then they have to program without getting paid, and it would ruin their professional reputation. But, if you can't afford to pay market rates to reputable developers, then you're looking for a co-founder to pay in equity or profit sharing. Again, now you're back to trust and respect. If your idea is so simple that a skilled but unscrupulous developer could go off and immediately clone it and make all the money you were going make, then your idea wasn't very original, and there will be lots of other competitors in the market in a few days anyway. Your goal, with doing all that research up front, before you ever talk to a developer, is to understand exactly how unique your app will be, and impress the developer that not only is the idea a good one, but working with you, with all your experience and knowledge, is the best way to develop it.
    - amrrs 12y ago
      Clear enough. Thanks a lot :)
kgc 12y ago
1. Learn to make your idea. 2. Pay someone who knows how to make your idea.
chrisBob 12y ago
What is your goal here? You say you want to "bring it alive" and that could be as easy as sharing your idea somewhere like HN. If you don't have a good budget for the project, or don't want to partner with a technical cofounder then I would advise against trying to run a business based on expertise you don't have.
ASquare 12y ago
Have you validated that there is a need for this app already or is just something you think is a good idea? If it's the latter you may just be sinking time/money solving a problem nobody cares about. If it's the former, then you should go down the MVP route first and put together something that shows the value that your product will deliver. I've seen cases where people have done this with everything from sketches to powerpoint presentations. If you've identified the right audience who has the need you are fulfilling, they will get what you are going for even without a product. Also read this posts for additional inspiration: http://scalemybusiness.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-minimum-viable-products http://scalemybusiness.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-minimum-via... https://medium.com/p/ef3c2d02dc51 https://medium.com/p/ef3c2d02dc51 Lastly, about the point of the developer stealing your idea. If you've done your due dilligence in terms of asking for prior work, getting references etc then that in itself mitigates the risk. Over and above that, ask yourself why a (properly vetted) developer will risk their reputation and livelihood - everything that is steady and predictable in their lives to steal your unproven idea?

9 points by amrrs 12y ago

I've an idea for an app, but have no programming skills. How can i bring it alive? if i hire a developer, how to believe that the dev won't publish the app himself? Advice please.

deleted 12y ago

[deleted]

vitovito 12y ago

The simple answer is, it's in the contract. Your contract with your developer, which you both negotiate and sign, says that you pay for them to develop your app, and perhaps would have a non-compete clause to prevent them from self-publishing a similar app within, say, a year. If they violate the terms of the contract, your lawyer sues them. Now, this is tricky in general, because app store submission processes are developer-oriented, and there will inevitably be bugs, which your developer will have to fix. There are a lot of details to hammer out on how to arrange all of that. But it's not a trust issue, it's just a paperwork one, as long as you can afford to enforce it. Now, if you can't afford to enforce it, then you do need trust. And one way to have that trust is to have respect. A developer will respect you more if you bring something tangible to the table. That is, more than just an idea. This is the long answer. If all you have is an idea, then a developer (or designer, for that matter) is going to have to figure out a lot on their own. They're going to have to figure out what you mean, who the users are going to be, what the users want, how the marketing will promote the app, what it should cost, how many users at one time the app will have to handle, on and on, every detail. There will be so many details that you haven't thought of yet, that the developer will have to figure out, that it will basically be the developer's app. Any developer (or designer) worth their salt is going to ask for at least 51% equity in your company to build your idea, because they will basically be doing all the work. The only way to retain control, and to earn enough respect to deserve it, is to do all of that work up front, yourself. That's the role of the businessperson in a startup. You do all the market research to figure out that people will definitely buy this kind app. You do all customer development to figure out what problem this app will solve for them. You do all the user research to figure out exactly how the app will solve that problem. You do the competitive analysis to figure out the price and positioning of your app relative to other solutions in the market. You do all the sales channel development to figure out how to tell people about the app. You do all the projections to figure out how much money you might make. And then you put that all in a Powerpoint to convince a developer that "all" they need to do is build it, they can focus on code and not have to worry about all that business stuff, you've got it covered. That's your job. An idea isn't good enough. There's a lot more than just programming that goes into an app, and you have to have covered everything else if all you want is a programmer to build you something. Good luck!

amrrs 12y ago
Great. Never thought all these stuffs go into the app along with the code. And yes, As you said i've done some part of my homework too. so it won't be the developer doing everything himself. But my concern, i don't know whether the app is possible to be developed or not. And i've budget issue also. So i have to explain the idea to the developer, before we sign contract right? so that he can tell me whether it can be done or not. Is there any other work around that you can suggest me?
- vitovito 12y ago
  The simple answer is, have them sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement). That protects your idea. But, again, if you can't afford to enforce it, then there's not a lot of point in doing the paperwork. And, many developers (and designers) won't sign NDAs just for discussions. In reality, most freelance developers have more work than they can handle, and pick and choose their projects, and aren't going to steal anyone's idea because then they have to program without getting paid, and it would ruin their professional reputation. But, if you can't afford to pay market rates to reputable developers, then you're looking for a co-founder to pay in equity or profit sharing. Again, now you're back to trust and respect. If your idea is so simple that a skilled but unscrupulous developer could go off and immediately clone it and make all the money you were going make, then your idea wasn't very original, and there will be lots of other competitors in the market in a few days anyway. Your goal, with doing all that research up front, before you ever talk to a developer, is to understand exactly how unique your app will be, and impress the developer that not only is the idea a good one, but working with you, with all your experience and knowledge, is the best way to develop it.
  - amrrs 12y ago
    Clear enough. Thanks a lot :)

kgc 12y ago

1. Learn to make your idea. 2. Pay someone who knows how to make your idea.

chrisBob 12y ago

What is your goal here? You say you want to "bring it alive" and that could be as easy as sharing your idea somewhere like HN. If you don't have a good budget for the project, or don't want to partner with a technical cofounder then I would advise against trying to run a business based on expertise you don't have.

ASquare 12y ago

Have you validated that there is a need for this app already or is just something you think is a good idea? If it's the latter you may just be sinking time/money solving a problem nobody cares about. If it's the former, then you should go down the MVP route first and put together something that shows the value that your product will deliver. I've seen cases where people have done this with everything from sketches to powerpoint presentations. If you've identified the right audience who has the need you are fulfilling, they will get what you are going for even without a product. Also read this posts for additional inspiration: http://scalemybusiness.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-minimum-viable-products http://scalemybusiness.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-minimum-via... https://medium.com/p/ef3c2d02dc51 https://medium.com/p/ef3c2d02dc51 Lastly, about the point of the developer stealing your idea. If you've done your due dilligence in terms of asking for prior work, getting references etc then that in itself mitigates the risk. Over and above that, ask yourself why a (properly vetted) developer will risk their reputation and livelihood - everything that is steady and predictable in their lives to steal your unproven idea?