So you got a million-dollar idea for an app? That’s great! Cause in this blog, we’ll lay out a step-by-step process on how to turn an idea into an app.
Mobile apps have become a necessity for startups who want to succeed in the digital world. With the rising number of mobile devices, having a mobile app has become just as important as a website for businesses. The convenience it offers to mobile users is simply unparalleled.
Setting out on this digital venture as a startup with minimal to no tech knowledge can be quite confusing. There are just so many things to worry about.
- Is there a need for my app?
- Will my app idea be successful?
- Will my competitors get there first?
- How can I make my app stand out?
- How do I outsource the mobile app development process?
This blog will clear up the confusion and tell you exactly how to go about your app idea. So, let’s get right to it.
How To Turn An Idea Into An App
Before you present your idea to a mobile app development company, you’ve to elaborate on it first. Get a pen and paper and outline your idea on it. Try to be as detailed as possible. This will increase your mental clarity. Once you have a basic draft ready, follow these steps to go ahead with it.
Validate Your App Idea
There’s no point in investing in an app that no one needs or cares about. Don’t you agree? That’s why you got to validate your app idea.
This doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with your family and friends. Tell them your idea and ask for feedback. If it’s a green light, discuss it with the core members of your startup. Collect their inputs and refine your app idea based on that.
You can also conduct in-depth mobile app market research to get a comprehensive overview of the market and where your app will stand.
Define Your Target Audience
You already know who you’re building an app for. You just have to define it in a precise way. Here are certain points you should know about your target audience:
- Age: Knowing the age of your target audience will help you with the design and marketing aspects of your app. For instance, the design of a kid’s app will not be the same as an app made for seniors.
- Occupation: Is your app targeting everyone or people belonging to a certain profession? Knowing this will influence the tonality and content of your app. A finance app will use a different tonality compared to a multimedia app.
- Location: Consider where your target audience is located. If you’re targeting a global audience or specific countries, you’ll have to translate the app into their respective languages.
- Device Preferences: Determine whether your audience primarily uses iOS or Android. This will impact the app’s compatibility and development priorities.
These are just the basics you need to define about your target group. Ideally, you should jot down as much as possible about them. This will include many more points such as psychographics, pain points, behavorial patterns, interests, technological proficiency, etc.
Create User Personas
Once you’ve got the data of your target audience in place, create a few user personas. This will provide you with a human-centric perspective to improve your app concept.
Create multiple persona profiles that represent different sections of your target audience. Include information such as name, age, gender, job title, location, income, education, and family status. Outline the primary goals and objectives of each persona. What are they trying to achieve with your product or service? Describe how each persona will typically behave when interacting with your app.
This information will help you empathize with your users and create an app that resonates with them.
Competitor Research
Your app idea may be excellent. But, it’s destined to bomb if there’s already someone doing it and doing it better. This doesn’t mean you’ve to create something out of the box. You just have to do it better than them.
Identify both direct and indirect competitors. Direct competitors have similar apps to yours, while indirect competitors solve the same problem in a different way. Analyze what features they’re offering with their apps and what their USP is.
Most importantly, scrutinize how they’re monetizing their apps. Check how many revenue streams they have within the app.
SWOT Analysis
Based on the above-mentioned points, refine your app idea. See what ways can you improve it. When you’re confident about your app idea, conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help you understand what your USP is and what challenges you are likely to face.
Even after so much work, your app idea will have some weaknesses. Figure out ways in which you can work around those weaknesses. All of this will help you create a solid marketing strategy for your app that emphasizes your USPs and hits the target group right where it should.
Create A Monetization Strategy
How will your app generate revenue? There are multiple ways you can monetize your app and you’ve to select the right one based on your requirements. Here are some of them:
- Freemium: Offer a free version of your app with limited features and charge users for premium features or content.
- In-App Advertising: Display ads within your app and earn revenue through clicks, impressions, or interactions.
- Subscription: Charge users a recurring fee to access premium content or features on a regular basis.
- One-time Purchase: Offer your app as a one-time purchase, allowing users to access all features without recurring payments.
- In-App Purchases: Allow users to buy virtual goods, upgrades, or additional content within the app.
- Affiliate Marketing: Partner with other businesses and earn a commission for driving users to their products or services through your app.
Approach A Mobile App Development Company
Once everything is in place, create a comprehensive document that explains your app idea. This will help you present your idea to a mobile app development company.
But, I want to develop the app by myself!
Sure! If you’ve got the necessary developers and technology, go right ahead with the development. But, most startups lack the technical expertise to pull this off. That’s why we recommend you leave it to the experts by outsourcing the project to a mobile app development company.
As it is their day job, a mobile app development company has all the necessary resources and skills to develop an app. You get the assurance that your project is in expert hands, allowing you to focus on your business.
But, isn’t that expensive?
Yes, the cost might seem high upfront but it’s well worth it when you look at the broader image. Trying to develop an app in-house is a lot more expensive in the long run considering the number of developers you’ve to hire and the salaries you’ve to pay. In case things go south, you’ll still have to pay the developers.
All of this is not a worry when you go for a dedicated development company. It’s much more cost-effective and you’re guaranteed quality development.
That’s how to turn an idea into an app!
How WDI Can Assist You
We’ve been in this game for over two decades and we know the ins and outs of developing a successful mobile app. Once you create a document about your idea, share it with us and we’ll turn it into the app you always dreamed of. In case you’re struggling with it, WDI’s business analysts can work to refine your idea and make it market-ready.
We understand how overwhelming the tech world can be. Relax! WDI understands this. We’ll be with you throughout the development process, simplifying everything for you.
This end-to-end handholding is what makes WDI preferred by hundreds of startups across the globe. Join the ranks of satisfied entrepreneurs who have chosen WDI as their partner in turning dreams into reality.
