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Business

Michael Southon
Michael Southon
1,951 Points

Question about viability of developing apps as a source of income

I’m taking the Swift Track in Treehouse and have been enjoying it and am very impressed with the ability to get help. So all good on that front.

Lately, however, I’ve been looking up articles on the web as to the prospects of making a living writing apps for the App Store and what I’ve found has been a bit discouraging (see for example: http://www.zdnet.com/article/so-you-have-an-app-idea-and-want-to-make-a-bajillion-bucks/).

I was thinking I would have a go at creating business apps for the App Store that solve problems that I’ve experienced myself (one problem I have is keeping track of receipts for household gadgets so that if I need to take something back or get it replaced I can show proof of purchase. I thought that would be a great idea for an App. Went on to the App Store and found that there is a whole genre of Apps that do just that. I guess most things that I, or anyone else, can think of have already been thought of by someone else).

Failing that, I thought I could set myself up building apps for local businesses (put an ad on the rear windscreen of my car).

I would really be grateful for any pointers you guys can give me, honest advice about what’s possible in terms of earning a living from this.

Thanks so much,

Michael

2 Answers

Konrad Pilch
Konrad Pilch
2,435 Points

HI,

You can easily make 7-12k per app. Thats what a treehouse student said on facebook an many more.

You know what is wrong with people? Is that a lot of them will try to bring others down to engioj the coaster alone.

You can make infinite money with it. What about developers that made millions? Sure, the chanches are rare, but they made it. SO its possibile for anyone . Now, if we look at lets say average, you can stilll make a living from it if you build up , i believe agency or freelance portfolio . YOu must be good, and from what i know, its hard to make alone an iOS app because you have to include many things sucha as graphics etc..

Im not too much into it but im into web dev now, and im just beggining as well, but whatever i read out there, i dont really care, if you put in enough determination and hard work, and build your self up , reading books, learning new stuff, and become better than people that say they cant make that much, you can now because you took the extra step.

Its going to be hard, no wonder, and thats good, otherwise imagine a person that never did anything in his life for others and hes a billionaire.

BUt we are taling here not about money really. Its Passion for Profession that will bring you joy . If you have passion for it, and its strong enough , and you engioj it, and want to turn it to make money , you will. It wont be work, its just a hobby that people will pay you .

Be positive.

Thats how i am.

Somebody says that if im 20 years old and if i start to train now i cant go to the olypmics, well, i can .

Konrad Pilch
Konrad Pilch
2,435 Points

YOu know, you need to expand you knowledge and analise people and build your self a name . Get recognized. if you want to make something better .

How many people have the same product, but ones are poor and others are wealthy? matketing right?

So your looking at marketing your product really so people buy yours not others and say why its better or whatever. Just dont say its beautiful or its made for them lol , say what problems it will solve and how it differs from others etc..

Konrad Pilch
Konrad Pilch
2,435 Points

Anyways, just do it! Try as long as you live, until i live, i will never fail in anything. Just dont look at bad practices etc.. allways have OBJECTIVES. E.g web dev. HTML and CSS pure CODE. Objective 1 that is. Obj 2 , HTML/CSS Framewokrs. OBJ 3 JS, carousel, sticky nav etc..

Thats what im doing now, objetives. If your going there jsut to go, you wont go far and you might lose. With objectives, you win.

Michael Southon
Michael Southon
1,951 Points

Thanks Konrad for your responses. I loved your positive attitude, it's a breath of fresh air! It reminds me to not give in to negativity. Thanks again, Michael.