How many times have you heard someone tell you they have a great idea for an application? My guess is, more than once. The iPhone has spawned a wave of creativity and innovation from people around the globe. But while creating a successful application might be a walk in the park for programmers and software developers, for those of us whose idea of being “good with computers” means being able to read our email messages and read the newspaper online, a new world opens up in front of us.
This how-to guide contains the basic steps as well as resources and tips so that you can create your own application, who knows, maybe this will just be one of many more to come!
1. REFLECT ABOUT YOUR IDEA – it’s important to think about attracting a group of people with a common interest and with certain specific needs to your app (sport enthusiasts, for example), and then you have to analyze what your app can do for them. The idea is to make peoples lives easier and/or more fun while using the app, if they can see the advantages of it, they’ll be drawn to it.
2. RESEARCH- with so many people creating applications these days, you’re bound to find more than one that might resemble your original idea. That’s why you need to do some research in all the categories your app could possibly fall under and look for the apps already in existence. These will be your competition, so you need to know how they work, what they’re lacking, and how your app can be better than them. in other words, you have to realize how to make your app unique so it’ll attract an audience.
3. GADGETS- there are certain items you’ll need to start working on your application. The first one is, of course, an iPhone. A Mac computer will also be required. Remember, the iPhone is an Apple product, so you’ll need an Apple device to be able to upload your app. One very important tool (there is no way to get around this one), is the Apple iPhone Developer Program, which you need to join at a cost of $99.00.
4. DESIGNING AND PROGRAMMING YOUR PAGE- these two are probably the trickiest parts for anyone who isn’t working in the software developing world. Basically, what this entails is the actual design of the app’s screens in your computer, organizing it and working on the source code that each application will require. If you’re not a developer and you’re not thinking of hiring one, there are resources available that will help you and guide you so you can design your app’s screens without having to be a web master. These programs can also help you a great deal in the process of submitting your app to the Apple store.
5. SUBMIT YOUR APP- ok, now that your app is ready, you need to submit it to the Apple store. What this entails is the creation of your app’s ID’s and it’s compilation, creating your Certificates and your Distribution Provisioning Profile, as well as uploading the app to iTunes Connect. I know it sounds daunting, but with the help of tools like the ones mentioned above, you will be able to do all that is needed without spending the amount you would have to spend if you hire a developer.
