There are literally thousands upon thousands of apps available and this is only going to increase as the years pass. Phones, tablets and other app compatible devices are appearing all of the time offering a similar set of experiences, so how on earth can you compete with the sheer volume of competition out there?

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Know your Competition

As with any creation, your app idea will be either a completely new invention or follow a similar set of features that already exist, which in either case presents their own unique set of challenges:

Original

Is your idea completely new to the app marketplace? If so, you need to make sure it is by checking and re-checking.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Does it not yet exist for a reason?
  • Is there a similar app already in existence?
  • Are users asking for such a feature?

Originality is a wonderful achievement if you have indeed pipped other developers to the post. Often being first through the gates is fundamental to early success. Nothing is assured though as you and any fellow developers within your team will have the unenviable task of bringing this completely new concept to the world with little guidance from other examples on the market. The new concept is always exciting, however with little reference available, additional pressures will exist.?

Unoriginal

We certainly don’t want to go down the treacherous road of ripping off someone else’s hard work, however that doesn’t mean you can’t take their original idea and add your own touch if you really believe you can take the concept further.

Ask yourself:

  • Are you really capable of adding extra benefits not included in their original design?
  • Will there be additional functionality?
  • Can you enter and present the information in a more concise and clear manner?
  • Will the current user base consider a rival app?

You should also consider:

Is it legal?

Make sure you check for any legality issues first before going any further, otherwise your app could cause you a lot of anxiety and worry further down the road. Avoid any branding infringements such as names and logos or the use of intellectual properties such as data or other content. If you need permissions, ask for these before the main crutch of development begins.

Joining Forces

It is always worth considering joining the original app creator’s team if you believe you can offer additional features or content. If the app was created by an established company in your country, hey who knows, it may lead to employment opportunities.


App Creation Series

There are literally hundreds of thousands of applications and games available to download using the digital marketplace. These range from basic clocks to fully fledged 3D gaming experiences rivalling even the leading portable devices that usually only specialise in this field.

Your challenge is competing with this vast library of already impressive offerings which, although a daunting prospect to the fledgling traveller, can be navigated successfully with the right ideas and implementation. Whether you want to create an income generator or simply desire recognition for your efforts, this book will aim to show you the path and inspire your imagination to overflow with possibilities.

Allow James Woodcock to guide you through the wilderness and raise your chances of realising your development dreams by detailing different routes with this light hearted tour of the Apps terrain. Featuring a myriad of exciting and surprising examples, you can glean important suggestions for your own creation.

App Creation Series Index:
App Creation – Beginners Guide to App Design, Development and Marketing


Illustrations by Steve Ince

Starting out as an artist at Revolution Software, he moved over to production before settling as a writer-designer. With various titles like the Broken Sword series behind him, Steve turned to Freelance in 2004 and in 2008 earned a Writers’ Guild Award nomination for So Blonde.

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James Woodcock

James is a Freelance Journalist, Copywriter, Author, Blogger & Podcaster specialising in gaming, gadgets and technology, both retro and modern. Ever since he experienced the first controllable pixel movement on the television screen, he has been entranced by the possibilities and rewarding entertainment value generated from these metal and plastic boxes of delight. Writing hundreds of articles, including commentary and reviews on various gaming platforms, whilst also interviewing well-known industry figures for popular online publications. Creator of the ScummVM Music Enhancement Project and host of the Game & Gadget Podcast. View his portfolio for more information.

James Woodcock has 1087 posts and counting. See all posts by James Woodcock

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