I have an App Idea. What to do next?

[Ginger Hobo]

You'll learn a lot more from people that give negative feedback.

People build apps because they think apps are cool and there are a few big-name apps that are worth a lot.

You need to work out what you want to do, then how you want to do it.

Form follows function.

I'm definitely not building an app because it's cool. I think an app is the right platform layout for the idea I have, it's that simple. And it's a fairly basic app if I'm too be honest. But this was before someone told me about responsive websites. This has now got me thinking...

 

[fisicx]

Ah ok so the Responsive thing is a website and not an app. So why do people bother with apps if a responsive website caters for all devices?

Because some things work better with an app. Games for example.

If your idea is fairly basic you could easily get a site up and running with a bit of help. You could even get a plugin developed that people could embed in their own sites to increase the reach.

Just tell us your idea. You will get much better responses to your questions if we know what you plan.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

Because some things work better with an app. Games for example.

If your idea is fairly basic you could easily get a site up and running with a bit of help. You could even get a plugin developed that people could embed in their own sites to increase the reach.

Just tell us your idea. You will get much better responses to your questions if we know what you plan.

In a nutshell my idea is really just a search engine to find people to connect with all over the world (but maybe starting in the UK to begin with).
You will search for people by country or job description.
You then chat with one another.
That's the basic idea. I don't need video chat (yet), I don't need voice messaging (yet). Just basic text messaging with emojis really.

Once you're signed up to the website/app you will make a basic profile. Other users can then find you and vice versa. You can then chat privately if you both agree too.

There will also be a 'wall' where users can post links etc for other users to view.

That's about it really. I hope this gives a little more insight into what I'm trying to achieve. Thanks again for your time and messages, it means a lot ?

 

[fisicx]

I built a site like this for a Dutch client a while back. He spent thousands on marketing but just couldn’t get enough people signed up to make it viable. If people want to connect with others who have a mental condition there are already loads of ways to do this.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

I built a site like this for a Dutch client a while back. He spent thousands on marketing but just couldn’t get enough people signed up to make it viable. If people want to connect with others who have a mental condition there are already loads of ways to do this.

Like I said I'm keeping the main 'solution' to myself. I say mental health loosely. It's aimed at a specific area that can affect your mental health, and an area millions of people in the world find themselves in.
I can almost guarantee that it isn't the same avenue that your client went down. Although even if it was, just because one man wasn't successful, it doesn't mean the next one won't be ? I have lots of different avenues to get people to sign up, and ways to create a paid version.
So, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you charge your client for such a website?

 

[DazRave]

In a nutshell my idea is really just a search engine to find people to connect with all over the world (but maybe starting in the UK to begin with).
You will search for people by country or job description.
You then chat with one another.
That's the basic idea. I don't need video chat (yet), I don't need voice messaging (yet). Just basic text messaging with emojis really.

Once you're signed up to the website/app you will make a basic profile. Other users can then find you and vice versa. You can then chat privately if you both agree too.

There will also be a 'wall' where users can post links etc for other users to view.

That's about it really. I hope this gives a little more insight into what I'm trying to achieve. Thanks again for your time and messages, it means a lot ?

It sounds like the sort of thing that needs mass-market impact from the get-go to work properly. Otherwise, you'll have limited numbers on the platform and the people using it will notice how quiet it is and also abandon it.

Let's assume you are/have an amazing app developer on board, so making the app isn't even a problem. Have you thought about how much and how quickly you need to scale this? I think that's a bigger problem than building it, to be honest.

I was a product manager for a tech firm that had a similar issue. It was effectively what car insurance comparison sites are but for events, theatre and sports tickets. It was really easy to create the app and website. It wasn't too hard getting people to download the app either (just had to throw a bit of money at marketing). The biggest issue was content and getting tickets onto the site quickly enough. It was also hard getting partners onboard quickly enough to let us list the tickets.

It didn't work. It required way too much capital to sustain the business long enough to scale the size it needed to be self-sustainable. We had 100s of 1000s of app downloads but ultimately the app was used by less than 100 people each week.

Your idea could be the best in the world, but it's a tough old game launching an app without some serious capital. I've not seen many apps that were successful that were started by an ideas man and not a developer, to begin with. The ones that appear to have been started by a none developer were either self-funded (by a founder with deep pockets) or actually started out as a website first (such as AirBnB).

 

[Fagin2021]

I'm definitely not building an app because it's cool. I think an app is the right platform layout for the idea I have, it's that simple. And it's a fairly basic app if I'm too be honest. But this was before someone told me about responsive websites. This has now got me thinking...

It's possible that you're a bit confused about the difference between a website and an 'app'.

A responsive website is simply a website that formats and displays the same content on a range of different devices. The content may be modified a little to make it easier to view, (on say, a mobile compared to a desktop), but it's essentially the same. A responsive website is not the same thing as a dynamic website.

A 'app' (application) can also run on any device. The main difference is that it interacts with the user. For example, it will have input fields that are filled in by the user and determine what web page or result is then shown to that user. An example is a life insurance website where users enter their details (like age and gender) to receive a quotation.

 

[japancool]

A 'app' (application) can also run on any device. The main difference is that it interacts with the user. For example, it will have input fields that are filled in by the user and determine what web page or result is then shown to that user.

A website can do all of that.

 

[Fagin2021]

A website can do all of that.

Yes it can. If it does, it's an 'app'. It's just a question of terminology.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

It's possible that you're a bit confused about the difference between a website and an 'app'.

A responsive website is simply a website that formats and displays the same content on a range of different devices. The content may be modified a little to make it easier to view, (on say, a mobile compared to a desktop), but it's essentially the same. A responsive website is not the same thing as a dynamic website.

A 'app' (application) can also run on any device. The main difference is that it interacts with the user. For example, it will have input fields that are filled in by the user and determine what web page or result is then shown to that user. An example is a life insurance website where users enter their details (like age and gender) to receive a quotation.

No, I'm confused between an app, a web app, and a responsive website.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

It sounds like the sort of thing that needs mass-market impact from the get-go to work properly. Otherwise, you'll have limited numbers on the platform and the people using it will notice how quiet it is and also abandon it.

Let's assume you are/have an amazing app developer on board, so making the app isn't even a problem. Have you thought about how much and how quickly you need to scale this? I think that's a bigger problem than building it, to be honest.

I was a product manager for a tech firm that had a similar issue. It was effectively what car insurance comparison sites are but for events, theatre and sports tickets. It was really easy to create the app and website. It wasn't too hard getting people to download the app either (just had to throw a bit of money at marketing). The biggest issue was content and getting tickets onto the site quickly enough. It was also hard getting partners onboard quickly enough to let us list the tickets.

It didn't work. It required way too much capital to sustain the business long enough to scale the size it needed to be self-sustainable. We had 100s of 1000s of app downloads but ultimately the app was used by less than 100 people each week.

Your idea could be the best in the world, but it's a tough old game launching an app without some serious capital. I've not seen many apps that were successful that were started by an ideas man and not a developer, to begin with. The ones that appear to have been started by a none developer were either self-funded (by a founder with deep pockets) or actually started out as a website first (such as AirBnB).

It sounds like the sort of thing that needs mass-market impact from the get-go to work properly. Otherwise, you'll have limited numbers on the platform and the people using it will notice how quiet it is and also abandon it.

Let's assume you are/have an amazing app developer on board, so making the app isn't even a problem. Have you thought about how much and how quickly you need to scale this? I think that's a bigger problem than building it, to be honest.

I was a product manager for a tech firm that had a similar issue. It was effectively what car insurance comparison sites are but for events, theatre and sports tickets. It was really easy to create the app and website. It wasn't too hard getting people to download the app either (just had to throw a bit of money at marketing). The biggest issue was content and getting tickets onto the site quickly enough. It was also hard getting partners onboard quickly enough to let us list the tickets.

It didn't work. It required way too much capital to sustain the business long enough to scale the size it needed to be self-sustainable. We had 100s of 1000s of app downloads but ultimately the app was used by less than 100 people each week.

Your idea could be the best in the world, but it's a tough old game launching an app without some serious capital. I've not seen many apps that were successful that were started by an ideas man and not a developer, to begin with. The ones that appear to have been started by a none developer were either self-funded (by a founder with deep pockets) or actually started out as a website first (such as AirBnB).

Hi Daz, thank you for your input. I understand how this idea sounds like it might need mass-impact from the get-go but it doesn't. I have a way where I can hit certain industries first and then grow from there. Of course there is the option to try and hit the ground running and reach the global masses from the get go but I'm not sure that is the way to go.

At the moment what I'm struggling with is what to create: A website, an app, a web app/responsive website. Initially I wanted to create an app but since talking to some people on here they've given me some other options to look at. The responsive website looks quite favourable at the moment. Do you have any thoughts on this?

 

[fisicx]

So, if you don't mind me asking, how much did you charge your client for such a website?

It was a Wordpress theme with profile builder, group admin with an event manager and chat room. Plus a load of functionality to target specific locations and services. The initial build was up and running in a week then I just kept adding features as he came up with ideas. Total cost was around £2000. I managed to keep costs down as I reused a lot of existing code I’d used for other projects.

He was quoted £12000 for an android app with the same functionality.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

It was a Wordpress theme with profile builder, group admin with an event manager and chat room. Plus a load of functionality to target specific locations and services. The initial build was up and running in a week then I just kept adding features as he came up with ideas. Total cost was around £2000. I managed to keep costs down as I reused a lot of existing code I’d used for other projects.

He was quoted £12000 for an android app with the same functionality.

You saved your client a few quid then ? I've been looking at the responsive websites, they look good. Are they expensive and complicated to make?

 

[fisicx]

The responsive part is easy, it’s mostly just CSS.

Wordpress is free as are the thousands of responsive themes. And there are thousands of free plugins to add all sorts of functionality.

This means your only costs would be for features not available in an existing theme or plugin.

 

[DazRave]

I have a way where I can hit certain industries first and then grow from there.

My overall point is, try not to overestimate the up-take of your app just because you know it could help millions of people if they used it or because you already have your foot in the door and a way into a certain industry/marketplace.

The most important thing is honest and truthful feedback from anonymous users of your product and to get that, you need to very very quickly get it into the hands of those people.

Our downfall, in the end, was that we thought we knew best and we didn't listen as much as we could have. In hindsight, the features and services our users said they didn't like should have been dropped rather than re-hashed. The features and services the customers said they loved should have been focused on and not ignored just because they were not part of the core service we offered.

Feedback is gold dust, especially bad feedback.

The responsive website looks quite favourable at the moment. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Absolutely, but I'd only really be repeating what's been said already.

- Websites can do a lot of what mobile phone apps can do, they are cheaper to create and they are even quicker to roll out (since you're not publishing your app across both Android and iOS as well as making sure it works across all of the versions of said operating systems.
- There's nothing stopping you from developing a quick website to prove your concept and then moving on to building an app
- Be extremely strict about what you include in your MVP. Focus and be as lean as you can.
- It's more important to quickly launch a basic product that works and then get feedback on it than it is to take forever to launch a big product only to find out 90% of it isn't what the user wants
- Learn to do as much as you can yourself unless you've got deep pockets and want people to develop for you.
- Lastly, don't be too afraid to just tell people your idea in order to gain help or advice from them. Unless of course, you're one of the Winklevoss twins or something.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

The responsive part is easy, it’s mostly just CSS.

Wordpress is free as are the thousands of responsive themes. And there are thousands of free plugins to add all sorts of functionality.

This means your only costs would be for features not available in an existing theme or plugin.

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is CSS?

 

[Ginger Hobo]

My overall point is, try not to overestimate the up-take of your app just because you know it could help millions of people if they used it or because you already have your foot in the door and a way into a certain industry/marketplace.

The most important thing is honest and truthful feedback from anonymous users of your product and to get that, you need to very very quickly get it into the hands of those people.

Our downfall, in the end, was that we thought we knew best and we didn't listen as much as we could have. In hindsight, the features and services our users said they didn't like should have been dropped rather than re-hashed. The features and services the customers said they loved should have been focused on and not ignored just because they were not part of the core service we offered.

Feedback is gold dust, especially bad feedback.



Absolutely, but I'd only really be repeating what's been said already.

- Websites can do a lot of what mobile phone apps can do, they are cheaper to create and they are even quicker to roll out (since you're not publishing your app across both Android and iOS as well as making sure it works across all of the versions of said operating systems.
- There's nothing stopping you from developing a quick website to prove your concept and then moving on to building an app
- Be extremely strict about what you include in your MVP. Focus and be as lean as you can.
- It's more important to quickly launch a basic product that works and then get feedback on it than it is to take forever to launch a big product only to find out 90% of it isn't what the user wants
- Learn to do as much as you can yourself unless you've got deep pockets and want people to develop for you.
- Lastly, don't be too afraid to just tell people your idea in order to gain help or advice from them. Unless of course, you're one of the Winklevoss twins or something.

Thanks for all of the useful advice above Daz, much appreciated. I totally agree with what you say about feedback. It's one of the most important things really. And yes, I'm leaning towards starting up a website before an app now, especially the responsive website.
Thanks once again buddy, your input is always welcome

 

[fisicx]

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is CSS?

Cascading Style Sheets.

A webpage is built up from elements (paragraphs, lists, images etc) that you then style using style sheets. Within the style sheet are media queries to change the layout depending in the device being used. This mean you don’t change the content of the page, you just change how it is formatted.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

Cascading Style Sheets.

A webpage is built up from elements (paragraphs, lists, images etc) that you then style using style sheets. Within the style sheet are media queries to change the layout depending in the device being used. This mean you don’t change the content of the page, you just change how it is formatted.

And this is why I'm here, to learn about stuff I've never heard of before ? Thanks for the insight ??

 

[NickGrogan]

In a nutshell my idea is really just a search engine to find people to connect with all over the world (but maybe starting in the UK to begin with).
You will search for people by country or job description.
You then chat with one another.
That's the basic idea. I don't need video chat (yet), I don't need voice messaging (yet). Just basic text messaging with emojis really.

Once you're signed up to the website/app you will make a basic profile. Other users can then find you and vice versa. You can then chat privately if you both agree too.

There will also be a 'wall' where users can post links etc for other users to view.

That's about it really. I hope this gives a little more insight into what I'm trying to achieve. Thanks again for your time and messages, it means a lot ?

You can do all of this in Discord, the app already exists, it's on millions of people's phones, ipads, and computers and they know how to use it.

Zero development costs, zero learning curve, very low barrier of entry.

Or a facebook group, or a Linkedin group, or even Microsoft Yammer.

You don't need to build a new app and get people to download it.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

You can do all of this in Discord, the app already exists, it's on millions of people's phones, ipads, and computers and they know how to use it.

Zero development costs, zero learning curve, very low barrier of entry.

Or a facebook group, or a Linkedin group, or even Microsoft Yammer.

You don't need to build a new app and get people to download it.

You had me worried for a second there Nick. No no, my concept and vision is different to Discord. But thanks for the heads up, much appreciated ???

 

[Fagin2021]

Extreme ironing is an extreme sport in which people take ironing boards to remote locations and iron items of clothing. According to the Extreme Ironing Bureau, extreme ironing is "the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well-pressed shirt."

The point being that whatever your concept or vision it has almost certainly been thought of, tried, or tried and died before. Especially if it involves a simple online website/application.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

Hi Fagin, thank you for your input. Yes my idea is a simple online website/app but with a twist and one I believe hasn't been tried before, never mind died. Although, even if it had been tried and/or died before, doesn't mean someone else won't succeed with the same idea ?
Have a great day ???

 

[Fagin2021]

Hi Fagin, thank you for your input. Yes my idea is a simple online website/app but with a twist and one I believe hasn't been tried before, never mind died. Although, even if it had been tried and/or died before, doesn't mean someone else won't succeed with the same idea ?
Have a great day ???

That's true. Some of our greatest inventions were created by people who were told 'it'll never work' by their peers. Good luck.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

That's true. Some of our greatest inventions were created by people who were told 'it'll never work' by their peers. Good luck.

They were indeed. Bore da from a fellow Welshman

 

[NickGrogan]

You had me worried for a second there Nick. No no, my concept and vision is different to Discord. But thanks for the heads up, much appreciated ???

Discord isn't a competitor, its a platform that you could use to create your business for free, without needing to develop your own app.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

Discord isn't a competitor, its a platform that you could use to create your business for free, without needing to develop your own app.

Oh really? From what I saw it was a social networking site. I'll inspect further, thank you ?

 

[AlexMercury]

Hi there, I'm new to this website, so hello all ??
Long story short I have an idea for an app that I'd like to put into fruition. It revolves around mental health and has the potential to help millions of people.
I'm trying to network with like minded people (people with app ideas) to figure out what steps to take to create the app and just generally 'rub shoulders' with other app making wannabee's and app designers/developers who are currently going through the app making process.

I'd also like advice on gaining interest from investors for the app.
If anyone has any advice to give me that would be great. Thank you ?

Hi there, I am new here too

First of all congrats on taking first steps on building your idea into a business! I remember how anxious I was the first time around, but it's super exciting, takes courage and perseverance.

I haven't read all the replies on here, but here are my 2 cents (I could chat to you about this for a long time, just respecting the reading time):

- Do I have the means to build an MVP and get some users on board or will I require early seed stage funding?

Based on how you answer this question, you have to plan very differently for the two scenarios.

If you have the means to build an MVP (or a basic working prototype) then this is what you focus on, bootstrap, learn basic Figma if you have to (this means you will spend less time requirement building with the dev team - which will save you money). Quick tip: have a very clear idea of what functionality your MVP has to have and don't stray from this plan! It's so easy to get carried away with adding things as you go along - keeping to the MVP initial basic scope will help you maintain the projected cost and duration of the build.
At the same time look at your potential competition (contrary to popular belief, it's actually good to have some competition) create a SWOT analysis and a Business Plan.
Once your MVP is ready, get friends and family to start testing, open a spreadsheet in which you keep record of all the bugs/suggestions/enhancements.

If you don't have the money to build an MVP it means you will have to be uber clear in a form of basic presentation of your app idea, wireframes, the exact cost you estimate it will take to build the first version, your forecasted income and expenditure (Capex/Opex) and user base growth MoM predictions (year 1 in detail, plus high level years 2-5). Research VC companies or Angel investor networks who invest in pre-seed stage ideas, usually the investment is smaller but it's also very risky, so you have to be ready for any potential question. It is also important to know what pre-seed stage investors opt for businesses that are wholly owned by the founders.

I can go on forever about this, but i hope this helps a bit.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Alex

 

[Ray272]

Mark, I've worked out the business behind my app. I've got lots of ways and ideas to make it a paid app. I've got a business idea. I haven't just come here willy nilly as you seem to think I have. I'm a novice yes but I'm not stupid. I came here to meet positive, like minded people who want to thrive and bounce off each other with ideas and suggestions. I didn't come here for what seems to be constant negativity. I appreciate your honesty. Have a great day.

Excellent post. I applaud your perseverance with this site and some of the usual suspects who seem too narrow minded about new ideas.

Check the history of those usual suspects and you will know how to proceed. Do not give up on the site, plenty of folks like you, but we need more.

 

[Ginger Hobo]

Excellent post. I applaud your perseverance with this site and some of the usual suspects who seem too narrow minded about new ideas.

Check the history of those usual suspects and you will know how to proceed. Do not give up on the site, plenty of folks like you, but we need more.

Ahhhh cheers mate. Yeah I got a bit of an unfair welcome coming into the site but thankfully I have tough skin hehe. I didn't know there were 'usual suspects' here, I genuinely thought that everyone would be professional, welcoming and helpful. But clearly not.
Thanks for reaching out anyway. Nice to meet you

 

[Ginger Hobo]

Hi there, I am new here too

First of all congrats on taking first steps on building your idea into a business! I remember how anxious I was the first time around, but it's super exciting, takes courage and perseverance.

I haven't read all the replies on here, but here are my 2 cents (I could chat to you about this for a long time, just respecting the reading time):

- Do I have the means to build an MVP and get some users on board or will I require early seed stage funding?

Based on how you answer this question, you have to plan very differently for the two scenarios.

If you have the means to build an MVP (or a basic working prototype) then this is what you focus on, bootstrap, learn basic Figma if you have to (this means you will spend less time requirement building with the dev team - which will save you money). Quick tip: have a very clear idea of what functionality your MVP has to have and don't stray from this plan! It's so easy to get carried away with adding things as you go along - keeping to the MVP initial basic scope will help you maintain the projected cost and duration of the build.
At the same time look at your potential competition (contrary to popular belief, it's actually good to have some competition) create a SWOT analysis and a Business Plan.
Once your MVP is ready, get friends and family to start testing, open a spreadsheet in which you keep record of all the bugs/suggestions/enhancements.

If you don't have the money to build an MVP it means you will have to be uber clear in a form of basic presentation of your app idea, wireframes, the exact cost you estimate it will take to build the first version, your forecasted income and expenditure (Capex/Opex) and user base growth MoM predictions (year 1 in detail, plus high level years 2-5). Research VC companies or Angel investor networks who invest in pre-seed stage ideas, usually the investment is smaller but it's also very risky, so you have to be ready for any potential question. It is also important to know what pre-seed stage investors opt for businesses that are wholly owned by the founders.

I can go on forever about this, but i hope this helps a bit.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Alex

Hi Alex. Firstly, nice to meet you! Secondly, thanks for the great response! Before I go off on a tangent in reply to your message and my 'app' idea, I think the app is now going to be a website (to begin with at least). After some people have thrown other options and ideas at me it's opened my eyes to other way-less expensive and less complicated ways to start up.
So, in a nutshell, my idea moving forward (I think!) is to really get my business plan together and also look at either building my own basic website with Wordpress (which I'm yet to grasp) OR pay someone to work along side me and build one together. I have the domain name already. I feel like I need that professional website developer along side me for knowledge, ideas, guidance etc and for the website to look professional and as easy to use as possible.
Once I have all of this in place I can either:
Use it to pitch to potential investors OR test the website with family/friends/healthcare industries and see how it goes.

So, given what I've just said, what are you thoughts on my strategy? You said you can go on forever ?

 

[Dinky]

For example there is tracker app for bipolar disorder tracking and the is a charity that connects people with the condition according to location. From there the groups communicates using whatever method they choose.

What are the names of these 2 apps please fixicx?

 

[Deleted member 325090]

Ginger Hobo, reading through the thread one mistake you seem to have made is to presume you understand what you need from a technical perspective, without having any technical knowledge.

Fisicx is perfectly correct to suggest that a normal website might end up being a better choice than a native mobile app, depending on your requirements.

My advice would be to describe your requirements without being prescriptive about how it is delivered, for example(I've used the word "app" below in the most broad sense of the word):

* The user needs to be able to have an icon on their phone which they can click to launch the "app".
* The "app" needs to be able to notify the user with a standard phone notification when X even happens.
* Feature Y needs to be available when there is no internet connection.
* The UI needs to conform to the attached wireframes.
* The app needs to use the users current GPS location to determine Z

Discuss your requirements with technical people, and they will suggest the best course of action in terms of how it is implemented, or give you options with pro's & cons.

The functionality gap between websites and native mobile apps are probably much smaller than you think.

 

[DoolallyTap]

Oh my, when I recently said there were arrogant bullies here I know I was right.
But surely the most important topic has not been mentioned. How much cash have you got access to? Ask yourself, how much cash can you afford to loose?
Just write the business plan complete with the P/L forecast and see how much it looses in the first year, then think of something else.

 

[Gecko001]

There a lot of forums and sites in this field as has been said. However there are a few niche sites which are different from the various forums and blogs on the subject. I found one years ago, called moodscope. I just looked at it few miutes ago and discovered that it is still going but very different to when I looked at it last. It is 100% subscription now, but, as far as i can remember, it was once free with a premium version that they charged for. I do not know how profitable it is though.

 

[CharlesAllEars]

Hi there, I'm new to this website, so hello all ??
Long story short I have an idea for an app that I'd like to put into fruition. It revolves around mental health and has the potential to help millions of people.
I'm trying to network with like minded people (people with app ideas) to figure out what steps to take to create the app and just generally 'rub shoulders' with other app making wannabee's and app designers/developers who are currently going through the app making process.

I'd also like advice on gaining interest from investors for the app.
If anyone has any advice to give me that would be great. Thank you ?

Hey,

The best most exciting businesses start with a good idea and if the driver of the idea is passionate enough, they may well post on a forum and get the “it’s just an idea” response. How could anyone know if it’s a good idea with no detail….but it may well be a cracker! And if you really believe it is, then you’ll do everything to give it a chance. Go for it.

Here’s how I would approach it. Do you ever game? Do you watch box sets? Fishing? Right well you don’t anymore. It’s time for a new hobby…app development. I’d say a couple of hours a night, get your YouTube videos shortlisted, your free trial of off-the shelf, disruptive app dev software (there are masses) shortlisted. And build your prototype, GAMIFY THE LEARNING, immerse yourself in your idea and make it come to life, because if you are that close to the build it will sprout all manor of exciting legs during the development. Ifyou believe in your idea enough, that’s what you’ll do.

So imagine down the line, you might have a clunky prototype, but if your still at it, you’ll talk and talk, have a solid vision, you’ll know the scope of your project inside out and the deliverables and be able to form tangible plan and strong pitch - coupled with an investable entrepreneur who clearly knows his stuff. Along the way it’s likely you will come across other app developers a potential partnership could form (trusted indy is what you want). Even with investment, bumbling through with an agency would probably go on for years and be a money pit.

I guess my point is, even if you have a good idea, you’ll need to drive it through the entire journey…which this might be the very start of…so good luck to you ?

 

[DoolallyTap]

I'd also like advice is what you said - here's mine - give it up.

 

[Porky]

I will try and help here, if the OP is prepared to listen and take on board feedback?

Despite reading this thread i couldn't actually establish what you really wanted. It read at first as if you just want to find a forum where you can "hold hands" with others to see you through your business plan. Yet in reality someone active in your space is unlikely to waste time giving all their trade secrets away regarding how they made their app successful to help you along. Its how it is. It will cost you money to learn and mistakes cost you even more especially if you don't listen and learn from them.

Also, you did alienate yourself initially by coming over as totally arrogant even if that was unintentional, you need to drop that attitude sharpish. I would suggest you be specific regarding what you want answers for: If its testing the concept with a focus group be clear on your objectives. If its trying to find investors perfect your business plan and work on pitching your idea. Read and take onboard the responses you get. Tough love, but I'm telling you straight: If you came to me for investment support with that attitude I would boot you out my office quicker than your legs could carry you! so learn from that.

My observation was that you still need to understand your target demographic. I can tell from your responses that you are fairly young, that's not a criticism its just you make assumptions. Personally i am 54yrs old, I am not interested in apps, i like a phone to actually phone and talk to people and its not attached to my arm. I get annoyed even by the fact that my sky dish has reverted to pictures of programs in boxes rather than a written list that previously served me well, it feels like the new gen coming through can't read but that's how i see it, my point being is FULLY understand your target demographic so your business plan illustrates that marketing capital will be deployed in the right places to be effective.

From contacts i have that built apps, my understanding is that there are so many out there that just like websites they get lost in the white noise and you need significant capital amounts for marketing to gain any traction. The vast MAJORITY of apps fail in fact the stats are:-

Only 0.5% of apps are successful. 9,999 out of 10,000 apps will fail for various reasons. Here are the most common reasons why apps fail cited by experts:

• Below 1,000 downloads: 67.8%
• Below 1,000 active users: 17.9%
• No revenue or profit: 7.2%
• Lack of user retention: 6.6%

Besides not having enough downloads, which is the major issue, not having active users or user retention can quickly lead to failure. After all, 71% of app users churn after three months. With that high of a percentage, it's clear that it's hard to keep users engaged

So if you are absolutely serious, your first step is to get your business plan completed, understand your target demographic, get your app created, demonstrate take up rates per spend on marketing, demonstrate churn rates and engagement levels, demonstrate how you can maintain long term engagement, what will bring users back to the app and then more importantly what a return on investment and what period it might look like to an investor, perfect your business plan again, demonstrate scale.

Initially you will likely need seed capital from savings, friends and family to get your initial concept borne so that you then have an actual business started rather than an idea. Then you might have something you can pitch for investment but you will need to be sure of your figures, you will need to be right on the numbers with proven data before serious investors will even give this any time of day.

Finally, i notice you now say you intend to go with a website first rather than an App, majority above still applies with a website. Its driving people to that website and proof of marketing concept that that will most likely make or break this. You currently feel like you have the best idea since sliced bread yet you will likely underestimate the amount of capital required for it to gain any traction and for others to find the website, engage with it, feel the same and more importantly part with their hard earned cash to subscribe to it.

Good luck