Hurray! I have an App idea, But what do I do next?

Hi there! Are you struggling with the same concern too? If your answer is yes and your patience is running out, this article is for you!

There are thousands of mobile and computer applications being introduced in the market on regular basis and unlike other services and products, it is a good thing for users. The more applications in the market, the more issues are being solved for people in just a few taps.

This prevalent insight has been identified by many and tapped too. Today everyone has a big idea for launching an application, whether to solve a problem or gain financial benefit. However most end up with a similar question; ‘What should I do if I have an idea for an app?’

So without wasting any further time, let’s see what steps can be taken by someone with this ask: ‘I have an app idea where do I start!’

Phase 1: Sorting Finances

Like any other thing in the world, money is required to follow through with a plan. For applications in particular, you need a large pool of money to transition from ‘I have an app idea’ to ‘My app is being used at a mass scale’.

And for this to happen, the idea has to be adapted in order to fit the following phases which require; money, Research, design, development, marketing, and logistics. 

Not to overwhelm you further, let’s make this phase simpler!

I have an app idea Where do I start? Well start by understanding and budgeting the estimated cost that will be required to create and promote an app and how will you get the funding to make your app idea a full-functioning success.

Phase 2: Research and Strategizing

It’s great to have an app idea but looking at it in isolation can result in an underwhelming and underperforming application once launched. Hence it is pivotal to carry out research on the following topic and strategize accordingly.

1. Market trends, and segments, and identify the gap you would like to cater to it
2. Competitor scan and how will you stand out 
3. Setting objectives and KPI
4. Turning ideas into actionable and SMART devisable plan 
5. How will you monetize your application (Flat fee, subscription, third-party ads, upcharge for premium features, etc)
6. Contingency planning

Phase 3: Designing and Development

For a few people the answer to ‘I have an app idea where do I start’ is this phase. However, once the research, strategy, and ideation are done, the foundation is set. And based on that the operations to development of mobile application begins. If designing and executing gets implemented prior to any solid financial backing and a proper way forward, even the greatest ideas will fail and all the resources will be exhausted.

So to prevent it from happening, a trajectory needs to be devised and upon following the proper stages, designing and development are done. It is important to know, that this is a very time and cost-consuming phase, hence proper planning needs to go into this before systems are turned on. The following are the key points to plan;

1. What resource to hire for UI & UX design and development? 
2. What tools are to be used.
3. What programming and design languages need to be opted for.
4. What devices and platforms will the application be optimized for.
5. How to keep design and development expandable and adaptable
6. What will the contingency steps be.

Phase 4: Deployment and Marketing

Once you reach the phase where you can say ‘I have an app idea and the end product is exactly what I envisioned’ is where all the logistical work comes into play.

Before your application gets published on varied platforms, mandatory A/B testing needs to be done. Here a pool of people will be made to test the app by using it for a set time. Upon their feedback, changes to the application’s functionality and features are made.

After getting green-lit by the product team, the marketing team makes the marketing plan. This is another pivotal stage in the quest of knowing what should I do if I have an idea for an app! 

Marketing can either make or break an application regardless of how the app really is. Therefore a marketing plan needs to be devised properly. These are a few of the initiatives that can be taken;

1. Promoting the application via banners on third-party platforms 
2. Endorsements through influencer marketing 
3. Prime placements on platforms where the application is available
4. Creating a social media presence
5. Conventional out-of-home marketing could be executed too
6. Seeding and organic app testimonials

Once all of this is done, it’s time to finally publish it on your set platforms, whether Google Play, App store or others. However, it is suggested that while your marketing campaigns are going around, deployments take before that, since it takes time for the application to be published after serious approval.

Phase 5: Monitor and Analyze

I have an app idea, I got it made and publish but why do I need to monitor it, you might ask? Well, this phase is important to see how well the application is been working especially in its initial stages of launch. And it is to see if there is an instant need to be changed or fixed, after all, the first impression is the last impression.

And after a few weeks of monitoring, you can now analyze the patterns identified and based on that you can plan your long-term goals. Note this; this phase is a continuous phase which means will be ongoing till the time your application is live and operating.

With that, your guide to ‘I have an app idea where do I start’ comes to an end!

You had a concept and we provided you with a guide, now it is all on you, to how you utilize the information and give the world a great application by implementing your app idea.

Remember this the tech world is accelerating at the speed of light, and your idea may get obsolete sooner than you think, so make use of this guide and get your idea into an actionable plan, execute them, and take the world with an exceptional app!