I Have A Great Idea For An App, Now What?

Every year, millions of apps are developed and added to the app stores.

Are you thinking about throwing your own app into the mix? Are you unsure of how to build an app after coming up with a great idea for one?

Keep reading. Everything you need to know is explained below.

Assess Your App’s Value

Before we dive into specific answers to the “how do I create an app?” question, let’s talk about your idea. How do you know it’s actually a good one?

Here are some questions to ask to assess your app’s value:

• Why would someone download my app?
• Who do I want to download my app?
• What problem or problems will it solve?
• What will my app look like?
• Is there a niche for my idea?
• How will I make my app stand out?

To find the answers you need, go to your target audience. Think about where they spend the most time (Which social media platforms do they frequent? Are they using sites like Reddit?), then go there to learn more about their problems and pain points.

Create a Business Plan

Once you feel confident about your app idea, it’s time to create a business plan. Here are some factors to address while drafting:

• How much will it cost to create an app prototype?
• How long will it take to create an app prototype?
• Will you do the app development yourself, or will you need to hire a professional developer?
• How much will it cost to create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product, which is a testable version of your app)?
• How long will it take to create an MVP?
• How are you going to make money from your app?
• How will you measure success and make improvements after you launch your app?

Your business plan will provide a helpful roadmap for the app-building process. It’s also necessary when you’re applying for loans or seeking funding from investors.

Create a Marketing Plan

How will you promote your app to your target audience so you can see a return on your investment? Which channels will be most effective for building awareness and getting people interested in what you have to offer?

When you’re creating a marketing plan, factor in branding elements like logo design, color palette, and tone.

Don’t forget about search engine optimization strategies, too. They will help you make sure your app is seen by people who need help with the kinds of problems it can solve.

Develop a Prototype

Once you’ve figured out the basics, develop a prototype of your app to figure out how it’ll look and function.

One option for prototyping your app is to use wireframe. This helps you make a plan for your app’s layout and make plans for things like content and features.

Not sure how to get started? We offer an affordable service called App Incubator that offers prototypes, market research, technical analysis, and much more!

Create an MVP

Once you’re happy with the prototype, you’ll need to move forward with an MVP.

If you don’t know how to do the work necessary for creating a working app, you’ll need to hire a developer or partner with an app design agency. They can do the heavy lifting for you and help you turn your vision into a reality.

Don’t have enough money to hire a developer or partner with a design agency? You may need to take some time to fundraise to get your app ready to launch.

If you decide to take this route, your prototype will come in handy. If people can see what the app will look like and the benefits it offers, they’ll be more interested in investing or lending you money for production.

Launch Your App

After you’ve created the MVP, it’s time to move forward with building and finalizing your app. From here, it’ll be ready to launch.

When you launch your app, be sure to assess its performance. This will help you to make adjustments so it can be more profitable in the future.

Here are some specific factors to measure when evaluating your app’s performance:

• User engagement (number of users downloading and opening the app)
• User retention (number of users who keep the app after downloading)
• User activities (number of users on the app and how often they use it)
• Monetization (number of users paying for a subscription or making in-app purchases)

I Have an Idea for an App: Now What?

Now that you know how to create an app, are you ready to get to work? Follow the steps outlined above and your app will be ready to go before you know it! If you need help with designing your app, completing market or technical analysis, or need a trusted partner to develop your idea, reach out to us!