There are a number of app development myths about success and failure despite the ongoing growth of the app economy, fuelled by the success and exposure of top selling pioneer games like Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and more recently Candy Crush, has inspired many new developers to join the app craze.
Mobile apps provide an enormous opportunity for people to explore their ideas and you don’t have to be a technical expert or software developer to take part.
However, before you embark on your journey, I just want to point out a few myths that exist about app store success:
Myth #1: Launching your app will flood your bank account with money
Although the app explosion has created quite a few millionaires, first timers should be wary of entering the field with unreasonable expectations. The app market is not a gold mine that will boost your bank account overnight.
While Apple has more than 315 million iPhones, iPods and iPads in the market, over 88% of games are free and many people never pay for apps and when they do, Apple takes a 30% slice of the pie.
There is certainly opportunity to make a profit from your app however be wary of expecting instant success.
Myth #2: You need a ton of money to get started
There are a variety of different ways and means when it comes to developing an app and they don’t all mean that you have to put up a large amount of money to get moving.
We certainly don’t recommend trying to develop an app on a shoestring budget however it is possible to work with developers under joint ventures which require a minimal contribution to development costs and this is often an effective arrangement.
Myth #3: There is too much competition
The app development marketplace is still very much in its infancy and there are still many opportunities in the industry as a whole.
The Apple App Store still presents a multitude of opportunities although exposure through the app store alone is no longer enough. In addition, the Android and Windows Mobile platforms both represent growth areas that exceed the expectations for potential customers in most new or emerging markets and it is simply the rapid growth of Apple that has made these platforms seem like a less-profitable choice.
Myth #4: If you build it, they will come
It was impossible to resist the tie-in with one of my favourite movies, Field of Dreams, however this is one critical area that is worth pointing out.
Unfortunately, the days of instant app store income that were the result of simply designing, developing and launching your app on the Apple App store, have long passed us by.
You can develop an app but if nobody knows it is there then it may as well not exist anymore. In order to give your app every chance of success in the app store you need to have a plan for marketing both before and after launch or risk being relegated to the back of the pack.
Enter this market with your eyes open and engage with reputable partners throughout the process to maximise your chances of delivering a successful app to the market.
About App Consultants
We’re an Australian Mobile Agency delivering Mobile Solutions including Mobile App Development, Mobile Marketing and Mobile Website Design.
48 Comments
Eugene
Apparently, this blog is published by a company that specializes in app development and consulting, right? If I am correct , I have to wonder: if I hire this company to act as a consultant and a developer of my application concept, how much percentage of profit is left over from me? After the development costs and revenue sharing, is there enough profit left over for the mastermind of the any concept? (not to mention apples take)
Mark
Most people make the mistake of thinking that just by getting into a new technology or business, that alone will lead to a lot of cash and sudden profits. But the reality is that with most things you have competition and you have to struggle to compete for the market's revenue share. The development of i- phone and android apps is no different than any other business with regard to the struggle of competition for market share.
Mark
I will visit the "Get A Quote link and inquire from one of the reps just to see how the whole profit sharing and development and marketing costs break down. That is a real good question that Eugene posed. I say this because apparently, the whole process, from development to marketing is not simple and certainly not that cheap. I would need to know how much money is needed before I even decide to take the risk.
Gustavo
My biggest fear which tends to paralyze my willingness to move forward with app development (as well as other business ventures in the past) is that which correlates to myth number 2. The thought that a market might be highly competitive, or worse, oversaturated with supply and not enough demand, is enough to discourage you from trying your luck. You have to have either a passion for your idea or a faith in your abilities.
Brad Davidson
You are spot on Gustavo, passion and faith do certainly help however the other, most valuable tool that you can use is "information". By undertaking adequate market research before you start will not only provide you with a crystal clear understanding of the market opportunity but also the chance to identify opportunities within that market where certain features in other apps are not delivering on user expectations.
James
More and more I've been seeing companies trying to promote the idea that mobile apps are pointless for hotels to consider as part of their marketing strategies. Since I've worked in hospitality, I disagree with this point of view. Mobile apps present a new and unique channel that all hotels must consider if they are serious about a comprehensive mobile marketing strategy. Apps provide a channel that you can use to shift share, capture more demand and create loyalty.
Brenda
I heard some keynote speaker once say that there are a range of "mobile cultures out there and too often designers and developers have a simple or even condescending view of mobile. It's an "every user and platform is the same as the next mindset, he said, and the result is often "dumbed down apps and sites that "patronize users. Although that sounds a bit too preachy to me, have noticed lots of inane apps.
Norman
If you focus your concept on mobile functionality, you stand a better chance of selling your app. More people are operating on the go and multi-tasking throughout the day. Even I am about to buy a small sized tablet just so I can work from outside the home. As if that weren't enough reason, it is getting easier to track analytics for mobile. Google recently send a mass email to announce their new mobile tracking features.
Tyler
Well you should have known better a myth is like a lie in the end it all comes out in the open. There's nothing that is going to flood your bank account with money, nothing. Myth #2 is even as outrageous as number 1 was you don't have to have a bunch of money to get started it just doesn't help to not have. And most of all #4 you can't make anyone use it.
Denise
Myth number 1 is typical of most people who have no experience with computers or the competitive internet landscape. If you ask an older relative, one who has never learned how to use a computer, and ask them about their teenage nephew or granddaughter, who happens to know how to use a computer and go on Facebook, they will usually say something like, "he/she is a computer genius. A similar perception exists in app market.
Columbus
I haven't been able to get through all of your posts yet but I will, I just wanted to tell you that what I have gotten through have been really helpful and I look forward to developing my own app now that I know how it works and what to do to make it successful. I run a small business and need to put into place that security you were talking about as well.
Anthony
I love the fact that you posted the myths that everyone falls for when it comes to apps and app development. I especially hate the one about if you develop it your bank account will be full of money or the one that it takes a lot of money to develop one, how many people has that myth stopped from creating something really great.
Steven
The myth about if you build it they will come is so outrageous a lie that I can't believe people would fall for that. You have to explore the competition out there because if there are to many of the same thing out there then they won't come to yours unless you offer something to them that is just outrageously good. Very good post.
Frankie
The first myth here about flooding your bank account if you launch an app is the most ridiculous thing I can think of, you would have to have the best app out there and have marketed it in a manner that surpasses everyone else in order to stay first in the app rankings and the favorite on the users device. This is hard to achieve so don't expect it right off the bat.
Mary
The myth about there being to much competition out there has stopped so many people from following their dreams if you have a great idea then follow through with it because you never know what the competition is doing and your idea might be better. It might also attract new customers simply because your content is fresh etc.
Anthony
You are right it doesn't take a ton of money to do this but it does take some and the more you have the better because you are going to have to hire a developer and maybe a marketing team who knows, you can't just do this half ass you have to be in this for the long haul and make it a business. Thank you for the post you did a great job.
Carmen
This was a great post and it is hard for me to believe that people actually believe this way. To think that you would be bringing in the money right away or that customers would come out of the wood work just because you made an app like this. Thank you for pointing out to us how ridiculous thoses things sound because that is just unrealistic.
Anthony
I guess myth number 1 dispells the unrealistic belief that just getting into the app development game will bring your app to Angry Birds or Words With Friends or Candy Crush Saga status, but clearly, that is not the case. If I were to invest money into the development of an app, I would settle for being profitable. In a down economy, I would be willing to settle for a mere 300 per week.
Lauren
I just can't believe that people would fall for this non-sense in the first place. It reminded me of a movie "if you build it they will come not true you have to be on your toes and ready for everything so you have a lot of work to do to advertise, market etc. before you see any kind of return on investment. Thank you for keeping that in mind.
Asia
There is no question that there is a gold rush going on in the app development field ever since those runaway success apps that the article mentions. Some hope to make it rich either with one app (a most unrealistic expectation) and others look to develop a steady stream of apps, looking to follow the philosophy of throwing more darts at the board; the more you throw, the more will stick (or in this case, make a profit).
Frankie
This was great I had to set and laugh though as I read them because to think people would actually believe this stuff is just beyond crazy. Thank you for exposing what some must have felt to be true as lies, keep up the good work because we don't want people developing apps for these reasons alone. Great job on this one.
Anthony
This is indeed the golden age or the gold rush of mobile apps and also the mobile device market. This is the time to get into app development. You never know where it will take you. You don't know if your app will become the next runaway success until you try. I am a believer that you can achieve what you set your mind to accomplish. It is the law of attraction.
William
There are some persistent misconceptions involving networking, mobility and applications that can throw off IT managers. Mobile devices and operating systems have evolved rapidly over the past few years, setting a high bar for developing and managing new apps. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of misconceptions about the best way to establish your mobile strategy within your network. This list of facts and myths I'm sure will help lots of first timers.
Tammy
I think it was very important that you do this because there are so many people out there that believe these myths and think that they are facts. You have to be able to prove them wrong or people are going to be doing this app development for the wrong reasons. Keep up the good work I plan to used your post to prove to some of my friends that they are wrong.
Torrie
I can't believe what some people will fall for. If you have enough money and a good enough app then you can tell people anything and they will believe it won't they. I mean seriously if you build it they will come? Or the money will fill your bank account right off the bat? Come on people nothing works that way it is to easy.
Claudia
With the amount of Apple devices out there 315 million, and the amount of free apps out there 88%, I had no idea that Apple took 30% off the top. How in the world could you become a millionaire with an app if that is the case? You would have to have created one of the first apps out there and it would have to be something that everyone needed, not wanted.
Torrie
The things people will believe, it is no wonder the pyramid schemes work so well with people that are trying to make a quick buck they will believe that it is that simple and it isn't. money doesn't just fill your bank account and people won't start using your app just because you develop it. Keep up the good work because this needs exposed.
Don
Myth number 4 is perhaps a universal myth among all kinds of development. I suppose this ill conceived belief can be applied to not only mobile apps, but also web sites and even software programs, and even any product invention. You can build it, but you still have to take it to the marketing stage. Otherwise, how will anyone know it exists? It only makes common sense.
Ulysses
I wish that it worked this way I have launched several apps that apparently weren't good enough because they didn't start filling my bank account with money. This is very interesting and I am going to share this with all my friends that have developed apps thinking they could get rich quick and see what they have to say about it.
William
I think that the competition one is the one that most people believe because they figure there is so much competition out there that they don't even try to make one thinking that theirs won't be good enough. That is so not true, with the amount of apps coming out daily there Is no way to tell that for sure. And if you are uncertain make them free to start out.
Randy
There are so many lies out there about this kind of stuff that it is really hard to tell what is and what isn't thank you for posting these myths as you called them because now at least we know those are not true. Keep up the good work you have a lot of potential here and the updates to this subject come out daily so we need people in there doing what you're doing.
John
I thought the myth if you build it they will come was a very cool reference to the movie but you are absolutely right there are so many apps out there now it isn't like when they first came out and the new stuff showed up right away, there can be apps out there that you don't even know about because there has been no marketing, that is a plug for marketing tips.
Mariann
If the mobile app market is still in its infancy, then I would say that this is an ideal time to get a piece of this market share. I think that once you get your first app under your belt, having that experience should make building multiple apps quicker and maybe easier too. I think the money is in the number of apps you build. The more you put out, the bigger the chance to have that winner.
Anthony
I don't know that myth number 2 is really a myth. I looked at a research study from 2 or 3 years ago and that study indicated that it can take significant time and money, but I understand that things have been changing fast the last couple of years. I have also noticed that there are websites that enable you to design an app without knowing any of the code. Maybe it has become much easier.
Judson
These seem to be the biggest myths regarding the app development world. Once you get over these initial fears, you open yourself up to new possibilities for an income in the new world of mobile apps. I embrace new tech and I think I may try my luck at developing an app using one of those modules that let you put one together without knowing any code. I hope these app builders are not a gimmick.
Barbara
This was an amazing article the myths exposed here are great and they are true. I can't believe what some people will fall for when it comes to making money but some of this is ridiculous. Thank you for posting this you have done a great job and I look forward to you posting some more about this because this is going to teach people a lot.
Kenneth
I wish it did work this way I have made apps before that still are not making enough money to fill my bank account and according to my reports on traffic that I get it hasn't increased really either so the if you build it myth doesn't apply either. If this was how it worked more and more people would be developing apps everyday making millions.
Ronnie
I guess that fact that this is one of the myths means that many people think they need a ton of cash to build an app. They have great ideas, but they never pursue their app aspirations because they think it costs too much. False. For less than $5,000, you can build a simple app that looks good and works like a charm. It's not cheap, but it's not as expensive as people think either. It might even be cheaper now to develop an app, no?
Daisy
Entrepreneurs face many difficult decisions these days. They make some decisions based on hard facts that they can validate, but they base many decisions on broad assumptions and a particular understanding of market trends. So if you are getting into the app development game you should ask yourself: are all of your assumptions correct? It is a question I have to ask myself because I have to question why I have been waiting so long to get into apps.
John
If there is anything that is going to flood your bank account with money it certainly is not an app. You have a lot of myths exposed here and I am glad that you did this because the fact that so many would actually believe this stuff would have had a bunch of people very disappointed. Thank you for the work you have done.
Ulysses
Why do people start rumors and things like this in the first place? You have to be put of your mind desperate in order to think that by doing this you are going to instantly start making money. And the part about needing money to get started, of course you need some but definitely not as much as you would think. This was a fun post keep it up.
Miguel
Too many people believe in myth number 3, and it is not just regarding the mobile app market, but this mistaken belief has been responsible for the stagnation or death of many dreams and businesses. I think it is important to not get impatient about generating profits. Even though the goal is the generate revenue, it is important to realize that the fun is the journey. As Cervantes once wrote: The road is better than the inn.
Jason
The If you build it, they will come' mentality is one that many inexperienced web developers have had about building a web site. Now that we are entering the mobile revolution, this same philosophy now applies to your mobile app development project. This just proves that marketing is just as important as the quality of your app. It's kind of like with fitness. You need both a good workout regimen and diet to work together for best results.
Claudia
As with anything, there are myths and misconceptions. This happens when you do not have an accurate knowledge of the market you are trying to compete in. And so you start to listen to other people who like to sound like they are experts, when in reality they are not. That often leads to bad information which could discourage you and prevent you from going forward.
Christina
Wow thank you so much for posting these, some friends of mine went to a seminar on app development and things like that and they were told at this seminar that they could make a lot of money fast if they just made an app. That kind of goes along with a couple of your myths and I am going to show this to them so they don't get their hopes up for nothing.
Carl
I still have a hard time believing that people believe this stuff you have to be really ridiculous and believe a lot of stuff that makes no sense if you believe this stuff. I mean really there is to much competition..... the money will start rolling in..... come on what are you thinking people! Develop your idea and promote it right and wait that is all you can do.
Kenneth
If you're a seasoned developer, the idea of cross-platform development has probably crossed your mind a few times already and well before the advent of mobile development. Java was welcomed and then abandoned as the language to write code once and run everywhere. At some point in the 1990s, CASE tools became popular for letting you build the same app for multiple platforms. I guess the moral is technology is always rapidly changing.
Thomas
There seems to be more myths regarding the mobile app market than other things related to the internet, search engine optimization, web and affiliate marketing and mobile marketing. I guess this could be because it is relatively new for most people. Only hard core developer pros seem to be ahead of the curve. I hope to learn more and more as this site continues to post informative articles.