Please do not post the same thing multiple times. The board software automatically flags certain posts as needing moderator attention. This happens the most often for new users. I'm pretty sure this is made clear at the time you attempt to post. Posting the same thing over and over again just makes that many more posts the moderators have to weed through later. This makes us sad. Don't make us sad. If your post/thread doesn't appear, just wait a while. Don't post it again. If it hasn't shown up by the next day, then you can try again. I normally go through posts in the mornings, and try to check a few times throughout the day, but I'm not here 24/7. There will typically be a significant delay before posts are approved. Just be patient.
This is slightly related to my older thread, but I am just wondering what people think about creating an app despite knowing (from market research) that similar apps already exist?
At this point I'm thinking of just blocking out the thoughts of all other apps from my mind and just proceeding to create the best app I can. After all, if we made the decision not to proceed after seeing even one similar app that already exists, we wouldn't really get anywhere right?
There was a time when all my apps were original and had not been done before. Nowadays originality just gets either buried because nobody sees it or else copied by Zynga if it does well. I say go for it so long as you think yours is better by a reasonable margin. If it doesn't work out then you know for next time.
If the similar apps are successful you'll struggle to compete. Why make life harder for yourself? An original idea is hard to find now but there are varying amounts of apps to compete with depending on the idea, you'll just add to the noise if there's too many similar apps. Plus apple might not let it onto the store.
This is slightly related to my older thread, but I am just wondering what people think about creating an app despite knowing (from market research) that similar apps already exist?
At this point I'm thinking of just blocking out the thoughts of all other apps from my mind and just proceeding to create the best app I can. After all, if we made the decision not to proceed after seeing even one similar app that already exists, we wouldn't really get anywhere right?
What does everyone else think?
Think of a line graph like this:
On the left side you have apps that are a) original idea b) low competition c) rarely searched for. On the right side you have apps that are a) unoriginal idea b) high competition c) commonly searched for.
So if you are creating an app that has no competition and is an original idea, then just know that it is rarely searched for by users and therefore will never be found unless you have invested significant strategy and capital into advertising and public awareness.
On the other hand, if you're making an app that is commonly searched for and has lots of competition then you better have a good strategy to come out in the top 50 of that app-type. It can be done. Just be intentional and strategic with your name, keywords, icon, screens, descrip, features and target customer.
There is no reason to be discouraged by similar apps already being out there. Some of the best apps/ideas aren't original. As long as you are making a better version or adding new worthwhile components then you have nothing to worry about. Plus by doing research on the similar apps you can see what people like and what they don't like and use that research to make further improvements in your app.
I guess the question is how "similar". I jumped on the brain game bandwagon back in the day and shifted 100's of 1000's of copies, but all the games in my brain game were either completely original or else new slants on exitsing ones.
Another thing to look out for is sudden crazes that seem to spring out of nowhere eg Sudoku. If you can spot the next Sudoku you will do very nicely :)
In fact, even if you decide to copy, you usually end up picking up some good changes on the way. I have done that myself with some games, the final experience was completely different (and good). Make sure just don't blindly copy, have a thought process. Also, 95%+ innovations are no original but some improvements or rebranding. So, copying might not be bad, especially for beginners, it serves as a good exercise and the point where you move forward from
Note that for some very original games, some of the top developers do have good prototyping phases. They keep trying until they are satisfied. They usually have hundreds of ideas on their lists. The end result is usually remarkable, but don't be confused that the game building part is their only weapon, they have also done very well in other areas as well
rocotilosPosts: 3,216iPhone Dev SDK Supporter, Registered Users
Creating similar apps BUT LESS FEATURE OR NOT AS GOOD AS the other one, will NOT do any good. You will probably get *some* sales.. but to be successful for a similar app, you need to create one that is better OR slightly different in term of application.
This I relate to one of my first apps, iQuikSplash. At that time, there was Color Splash. I like Photography and I thought Color Splash has limitation that it cannot select a range of colors to make that color splash effect.I came up with the idea that people can select a particular color and all color of that tone will be instantly (or quikly ;) ) splashed. I actually spent about 1 whole week on the color selection algorithm myself. This is probably why iQuikSplash is so successful back then. Now, there are tonnes of apps copying the idea and made it even better - such as Color Bl*st, and so many others. Clones. I don't mind, because I feel it is a healthy competition. If a person can make an idea better, do it.
I think it really depends on what you can add on to the app to differentiate it from the similar apps that already exist.
Making the best app you can is great and all but if it does exactly the same thing as another app that's already out there without adding anything else, it's a bit of a waste of time in my opinion.
For Interviews with App Developers and App Marketing Techniques - Visit www.beginningiosdev.com
Thanks for the replies everyone. I agree that there needs to be some sort of improvement upon an existing app to make it worthwhile.
Does anyone think it is still possible to earn a huge amount of revenue on the App Store? I'm inclined to say it is probably like a needle in a haystack these days, but what does everyone else think?
Thanks for the replies everyone. I agree that there needs to be some sort of improvement upon an existing app to make it worthwhile.
Does anyone think it is still possible to earn a huge amount of revenue on the App Store? I'm inclined to say it is probably like a needle in a haystack these days, but what does everyone else think?
I definitely think it is possible and I don't think it is a needle in a haystack type chance. I believe to do it with one app is a needle in a haystack, but if you actually treat it as a real business and develop quality apps I believe there is still plenty of opportunity to make good money.
rocotilosPosts: 3,216iPhone Dev SDK Supporter, Registered Users
mdim;439696 said:
Thanks for the replies everyone. I agree that there needs to be some sort of improvement upon an existing app to make it worthwhile.
Does anyone think it is still possible to earn a huge amount of revenue on the App Store? I'm inclined to say it is probably like a needle in a haystack these days, but what does everyone else think?
HUGE amount of revenue... not so easy. I never made HUGE. But made ENOUGH to continue my life that's for sure.
These days it is harder due to tougher competition. Nothing much you can do except continue trying. Or give up and go elsewhere. :(
I definitely think it is possible and I don't think it is a needle in a haystack type chance. I believe to do it with one app is a needle in a haystack, but if you actually treat it as a real business and develop quality apps I believe there is still plenty of opportunity to make good money.
^This!
If you're thinking of making one app and never working again in your life then yes you won't be having a good time with the App Store.
If you make several good quality products you can definitely make some good if not great money!
It can also take time...one of my apps which I released back in Oct/Nov 2011 brought in maybe 400$ from it's release date till Feb 2012. Pretty much nothing, however in Feb it started getting more and more popular and since it's brought between 3-6K$/month. Hoping it keeps going at this pace for a while *fingers crossed*!
I also released 5 really good updates since it's release (even when the app wasn't doing great.)
All that to say, if you work hard and you aren't just releasing crap, you can definitely make money off the App Store!
Does anyone think it is still possible to earn a huge amount of revenue on the App Store? I'm inclined to say it is probably like a needle in a haystack these days, but what does everyone else think?
I think it's definitely much harder than it used to be. You've got more than 10 times the number of apps in the App Store than in 2008, that's a lot more competition out there now.
There were already developers that were struggling with getting their apps noticed with 50,000 apps in the store. Imagine how much tougher it is now that there's nearly 700,000.
For Interviews with App Developers and App Marketing Techniques - Visit www.beginningiosdev.com
mdim
Posts: 4New Users
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeRe-combining various different components into a brand new App works ok for me.
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeFind an underserved market? Might be easier.
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like Awesome- Spam
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeOn the left side you have apps that are a) original idea b) low competition c) rarely searched for. On the right side you have apps that are a) unoriginal idea b) high competition c) commonly searched for.
So if you are creating an app that has no competition and is an original idea, then just know that it is rarely searched for by users and therefore will never be found unless you have invested significant strategy and capital into advertising and public awareness.
On the other hand, if you're making an app that is commonly searched for and has lots of competition then you better have a good strategy to come out in the top 50 of that app-type. It can be done. Just be intentional and strategic with your name, keywords, icon, screens, descrip, features and target customer.
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeRatScrew for iPhone and iPad
Basic Slap Jack for iPhone and iPad
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeAnother thing to look out for is sudden crazes that seem to spring out of nowhere eg Sudoku. If you can spot the next Sudoku you will do very nicely :)
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeNote that for some very original games, some of the top developers do have good prototyping phases. They keep trying until they are satisfied. They usually have hundreds of ideas on their lists. The end result is usually remarkable, but don't be confused that the game building part is their only weapon, they have also done very well in other areas as well
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeThis I relate to one of my first apps, iQuikSplash. At that time, there was Color Splash. I like Photography and I thought Color Splash has limitation that it cannot select a range of colors to make that color splash effect.I came up with the idea that people can select a particular color and all color of that tone will be instantly (or quikly ;) ) splashed. I actually spent about 1 whole week on the color selection algorithm myself. This is probably why iQuikSplash is so successful back then. Now, there are tonnes of apps copying the idea and made it even better - such as Color Bl*st, and so many others. Clones. I don't mind, because I feel it is a healthy competition. If a person can make an idea better, do it.
10 Detailed Steps to Submit Apps To AppStore
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeMaking the best app you can is great and all but if it does exactly the same thing as another app that's already out there without adding anything else, it's a bit of a waste of time in my opinion.
Author - The App Store Playbook: Discover How 10 Successful iPhone App Developers Hit It Big Selling Games On The App Store
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeDoes anyone think it is still possible to earn a huge amount of revenue on the App Store? I'm inclined to say it is probably like a needle in a haystack these days, but what does everyone else think?
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeRatScrew for iPhone and iPad
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeBut made ENOUGH to continue my life that's for sure.
These days it is harder due to tougher competition. Nothing much
you can do except continue trying. Or give up and go elsewhere. :(
10 Detailed Steps to Submit Apps To AppStore
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeIf you're thinking of making one app and never working again in your life then yes you won't be having a good time with the App Store.
If you make several good quality products you can definitely make some good if not great money!
It can also take time...one of my apps which I released back in Oct/Nov 2011 brought in maybe 400$ from it's release date till Feb 2012. Pretty much nothing, however in Feb it started getting more and more popular and since it's brought between 3-6K$/month. Hoping it keeps going at this pace for a while *fingers crossed*!
I also released 5 really good updates since it's release (even when the app wasn't doing great.)
All that to say, if you work hard and you aren't just releasing crap, you can definitely make money off the App Store!
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like AwesomeThere were already developers that were struggling with getting their apps noticed with 50,000 apps in the store. Imagine how much tougher it is now that there's nearly 700,000.
Author - The App Store Playbook: Discover How 10 Successful iPhone App Developers Hit It Big Selling Games On The App Store
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0 • Off Topic Insightful Disagree Dislike Like Awesome