Doing mobile (iPhone) apps for for a while will teach you many things. From the power of great design to the difference effective marketing makes, we're sharing 6 things we've learned along the way.

1. 6 lessons we’ve learned
while creating Apps
Brian Cauble - CEO, Appsolute Genius
Some people would say mobile applications have been around for many years
and you could buy applications for your Palm and Blackberry years ago. While
that is true, the introduction of the iPhone 3G and the App Store created a whole
new world of mobile application development. Almost overnight, apps became
extremely popular and tons of developers tried to strike it rich by creating them.
Appsolute Genius made its entry into mobile development in early 2009, when
the industry was barely 6 months old. We’ve seen this industry grow, mature and
change quite a bit, and we’ve learned a lot about creating the apps that drive it.
With that in mind, we wanted to share some of the most important lessons we’ve
learned.
1 Hire Great Designers
Users do not see the heart of your
your app is $9.99, it should be truly
useful. People are more likely to use
app (your code). They see and use and keep an app that they need or
the screens of it and often make their find useful than novelty apps based on
decision to buy or download your gimmicks. This may sound obvious,
app based solely on looks. Consider but try to develop ideas that will
the apps that are featured by Apple in be really used by your customers.
their commercials and in the App Store, Location, address book, phone, email,
which all have excellent designs. We’ve photo library, camera and many more
worked with many talented graphic features can be integrated in your
designers and the best designers apps that will add value, but that
we’ve used have mobile experience, doesn’t mean you should add them
specifically with the iPhone OS. just because they are available. Make
We’ve learned to hire the best mobile good feature decisions based on what
designers we can possibly afford, and you believe your users will actually
we’ve never regretted that decision. want or need. Retaining users over
the long term ultimately leads to
repeat customers and increased
2 Make Useful Apps
Whether your App is free and
revenue.
being used for marketing/advertising or
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2. ads, public relations, etc) and new
3 Follow The Plan
There is temptation to think techniques (Facebook, blogging,
mobile apps are different from other etc), but don’t make the mistake of
software, so none of the old rules of forgetting about marketing.
development apply. However, one
rule definitely still applies. You have to
decide what you want in your product, 5 Consider Your Platform
We often hear someone say they
often referred to as your minimum need an iPhone or iPad app, and feel
viable product, and then go with it. compelled to ask our potential client
Constantly changing your project their reason. Do they feel it will expand
plan will give you bad results! If you their audience? If they have an existing
need to change or add things after the product that is related to the mobile
project has begun, it’s often best to app, do they know what device their
consider putting the new features into users have? If they are all using a
a future version of the product. With Blackberry, it might not make sense to
that said, don’t become so rigid and create an iPhone or Android application.
focused on the plan that you can’t If you’re considering having a mobile
change it when you really need to. You app created, is it using some of the
must know when things are important capabilities of the mobile device such as
enough to warrant a change to the plan GPS or address book? If it doesn’t use
and when they can wait. the mobile capabilities and it’s extremely
similar to your website, you might be
Marketing Still Matters better off creating a mobile-optimized
4 In the early days of the App version of your website. In other words,
Store, many people made a lot of don’t create an app just to say you
money by creating a single app – any have an app!
app. Without doubt, you’ve heard
stories of developers quitting their job
after striking it rich. Like many new 6 Niches Are Good
Companies are afraid to alienate
technologies, there was a gold rush any potential customers. However,
when the App Store was opened. The many of the most successful apps
early tactic of “build it and they will are targeted toward potential niches
come” simply doesn’t work anymore. such as college students or even factory
How you market your app will have a workers. When creating a niche app,
lot to do with how many users you get you will often have less competition,
and how much revenue you ultimately which will allow you to charge a higher
have. Your marketing can be a mix of amount. Marketing can also be simpler
traditional techniques (print/digital and more effective, since it will be
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3. easier to identify the proper place to advertise. Finally, your app will often be easier
to use because it doesn’t try to be everything to everyone.
About Appsolute Genius
Mobile “Apps” have very quickly become a driving force in technology, advertising, and
marketing. Appsolute Genius was founded to help you create the mobile apps you need,
while giving you sound advice about the rapidly changing mobile space.
Appsolute Genius services include consulting with clients to understand the right mobile
options for them. This may include choosing the correct mobile platforms (iPhone, Android,
mobile web site, etc.), exploring possible business models, and learning about the mobile
software development process. We focus on delivering the best design possible while
working within your budget and timeline.
About Brian Cauble
A true entrepreneur at heart, Brian co-founded Appsolute Genius to help companies create
great mobile products and continually push the boundaries of this new technology.
Having been involved in software development for over 10 years, Brian has seen exactly
how to deliver great software. He knows how to guide clients so that their projects are
successful and avoid the common mistakes so many companies make with software. Brian
earned his Masters in Electrical Engineering by attending the Information and Engineering
Management program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He also earned
his BS in Electrical Engineering at UAB.
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