So you want to build an app? First, answer these five questions.
You’ve got that great idea and are ready to get going! Before diving in, make sure you’ve considered these five important questions. The more your prepare before engaging partners to help your cause, the more likely you will be to get what you’re looking for.
1. What does success look like?
How will you measure success? What are your success criteria? Without a clear set of success criteria, how can you possibly gauge whether your app has accomplished your objectives. When defining what success looks like for your app, consider your personal goals, business objectives, and long-term strategic plans. Are you building an app to launch a business or to expand an existing one? Is the app a marketing tool you will use to boost a brand? Is it a fun idea you hatched with some friends? Or, perhaps you are trying to get experience in the mobile realm? Sometimes the personal accomplishment of actually making something real is a worthy success.
2. iOS app, Android app, web app, or all of the above?
Before you build an app, you should know the pros and cons of each platform. Can you explain why you need to be on each platform? What are the data points you’re using to make the decision. Just because you have a certain device in your pocket doesn’t mean it’s the right platform to start your business with. Consider your target users, existing web traffic, budget, and feature roadmap before making a decision.
3. What is your timeline?
Without clearly defined milestones, your timeline is bound to slip. When do you need to show something to stakeholders? When is your planned launch date? Are there any major events you’re planning around? Before engaging a partner, make sure you’ve defined your deadlines and key dates that will orient your process.
4. Do you have a plan for after launch?
If your app is a business, you’re going to need a team to run it. Your app will need to be updated and supported. You’ll need to acquire users. The partners you collaborate with to create your app won’t necessarily be around forever. It’s important to have a plan beyond launch, a vision, a roadmap, and a hiring plan so you can keep it burning bright well into the future.
5. What is your budget? (Seriously, you need one.)
The sooner you define your real actual budget, the sooner your can start to figure out how to get something done. Are you raising funds or are you bootstrapping the project? If you’re raising funds, then you current budget may be $0. If you’re bootstrapping, it’s even more important to set budgetary boundaries. Building an app, especially a good app, can be a very expensive undertaking, so make sure you know what you can afford. There are partners that can build an app for $25k or $500k and you will not get the same results. So, why talk to the ones that aren’t optimized to what you can afford?
Not sure where to start? Some googling will yield a ton of insight about the costs of building an app (e.g., check out our post on what it costs to build a mobile app).
Stuck on any of these questions? Contact us — we can help!
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About Posse
Posse is a NYC-based mobile design and development studio that works with great companies to create amazing apps. Contact us about your digital project.
