31 Mar 2013
3 Problems App Developers Face
A Google spokesman confirmed that the number of apps available for Android now totals about 700,000. With all of that developing there’s a lot to learn about the success, failure and the many problems faced by app developers.
We highlight the top problems that app developers face:
1. They don’t break even. With all of the time and resources they spend –breaking even is no longer an option. In our last post, we mentioned that app developers will spend anywhere from 8,000 to 150,000 in development costs. Spending money to create/build your app is inevitable but you know that already, right?
This is more of a business issue. Making sure you treat this development like a business by expanding your vision to get yourself in the top 20% because the other 80% don’t generate enough money to create a standalone business.
2. The testing methods they use are outdated. If you’re testing the app in your local city and then maybe taking a taxi across town to see if it works then you’re not getting a real world view of how your app really performs. Your app is only as good as your capacity to test it –and nowadays you can easily test your applications around the world.
3. User engagement is low. Hot today and not tomorrow. Keeping users engaged with your app day in and day out is a challenge for many. However the proactive app developers are moving towards interactive marketing and creating continued benefits for long term relationships. There might not be a one size fits all solution –but it must be addressed, measured, analyzed and possible revamped.
Let’s take a look at the real issues of being an application developer and a publisher of mobile applications. Sixty-eight percent of developers never break even, 80% don’t generate enough money for a stand-alone business, while 12% earn $50,000.
The numbers and percentages can be all over the place but we’ve learned that the difference between success and failure for the best app ideas lies in whether you are willing to employ a good mix of marketing (from beginning to end) for that app or not.
We know that app developers will spend anywhere from $8,000 to $150,000 on development costs to get their app to the market but then they fall short when it comes time to really market that app to the world.
Ninety-one percent of app developers believe that marketing is necessary for success. However, 52% had zero set aside for marketing.
Do you believe in marketing? If you were to ask anyone that question, no matter their age or profession, a large percentage of them would give you a resounding yes. But apparently you must get beyond just “believing” and get your marketing spending to match your marketing beliefs. It’s been noted that top earners have nearly $30,000 as an average marketing budget. And those top earners spend an average of 14% of their time marketing.
Developers who spend succeed. You can’t hang your hat on free marketing or word of mouth. We notice that some are still thinking that social media and word of mouth will take their app viral. It might, but don’t count on it.
Marketing has to be on the top of your mind in the beginning and throughout. Let us leave you with eleven questions to answer as you develop and launch your next app.
- Is there a market for what you’re creating?
- What marketing research or evidence do you have to support your claim to app fame?
- What apps align with yours? [app allies]
- Who are your competitors?
- What makes your app different, unique and/or useful?
- Who is your target? (Yes, you can have more than one target)
- Where are they located? (Yes, geography matters)
- How will you reach them consistently?
- How many channels will you use to reach them?
- Who will you partner with?
- How will you generate revenue?
[Originally posted @ Programmable Web by Greg Bates]
This is worth sharing here…
Kii lets you define the metrics you measure. Tesla’s app–the API is out of the bag. Plus: turning social data into social meaning, Facebook alerts developers on API errors, and 14 new APIs.
Kii Launches Fully Customizable In-App Analytics Solution
Kii launched a fully customizable in-app analytics tool, according to James Bourne in developertech,
“Mobile technology service provider Kii has launched Kii Analytics, which claims to be unique in that it is the first fully customisable in-app analytics tool on the market.
The analytics tool can be worked in conjunction with mobile backend as a service (MBaaS) Kii Cloud – also released today out of beta – allowing developers to run custom metrics intuitively and with flexibility.”
According to a press release on marketwire, in addition to being able to define your own metrics, app data metrics can be pulled through APIs, including user data that can be tracked through time.
Tesla’s API Could Get Popular
Tesla hasn’t officially announced its API yet, so how could we know if it will be popular? Perhaps the best test is pre-release interest. Tim Dorr has already created and posted unofficial documentation on apiary.io. A discussion is at Yhacker News. Dorr explains how he got it:
“his was discovered via the Android app in particular:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslamotor… I did some sniffing on the traffic, which is SSL encrypted, but luckily it’s pretty easy to install your own CA in Android 4.1+. They have both a Rails app and a nodejs server. The nodejs server is for live streaming car location and driving metrics. I haven’t gotten that documented yet (but I’m accepting pull requests!), but some people have already been making use of it:http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/13410-Model-S-… One guy already has his Model S tweeting: https://twitter.com/pureamps“
14 New APIs
Today we had 14 new APIs added to our API directory including a online billing system, a mobile advertising service, a supply chain technology solutions, a location services for applications, a customer analytics platform and an assessment platform for educators & teachers. Below are more details on each of these new APIs.
BillingOrchard API: BillingOrchard is an online billing system. BillingOrchard offers automated billing, online invoicing and online payments, reporting, and integrations with other systems.
The BillingOrchard API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of BillingOrchard with other applications. Some example API methods include managing functions, managing account information, and checking out methods.
Celtra AdCreator API: Celtra AdCreator is a mobile and application advertising service. Celtra AdCreator allows users to create interactive advertising for mobile devices and platforms.
The Celtra AdCreator API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of Celtra AdCreator with other applications. Public documentation is not available; API access comes with AdCreator accounts.
DNA Freight API: DNA Freight is an international technology integration company delivering supply chain technology solutions. The DNA Freight API provides customers with developer access for integrating with the DNA Freight Quote/Tracking and Billing systems.
GeoLoqal API: GeoLoqal is a mobile development platform that allows for integration of location-based services in applications. GeoLoqal features places of interest nearby a user’s location.
The GeoLoqal API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of GeoLoqal with applications and to create applications. Some example API methods include retrieving locations, retrieving directions, and retrieving places by location.
Less Neglect API: Less Neglect is a customer analytics solution for applications. Developers can build applications on Less Neglect to analyze and monitor individual customer activities and behavior, as well as troubleshooting for individual customers.
The Less Neglect API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of Less Neglect with applications and build applications with the Less Neglect platform. Some example API methods include managing user accounts, creating and retrieving event information, and retrieving data for analysis.
MasteryConnect API: MasteryConnect is a platform for educators and teachers. MasteryConnect allows teachers to access core standards and common standards, track student progress, and grade student performance.
The MasteryConnect API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of MasteryConnect with other applications. Public documentation is not available; interested developers should sign up here for more information: http://www.masteryconnect.com/learn-more/plans-pricing.html.
PeerReach API: PeerReach is an online tool that helps users discover the right people to engage in conversations with by topics. PeerReach also analyzes user followers and network for the most influential people in their networks on various topics.
The PeerReach API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of PeerReach with other applications. The main API method is looking up and retrieving users.
Picqer API: Picqer is an online inventory and warehouse management system. Picqer helps users manage inventory, stock, and orders on desktops, tablets, and mobiles.
The Picqer API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of Picqer with other applications. Public documentation is not available; interested developers should contact Picqer at info@picqer.com for more information and API access.
Propers API: Propers is a real-time recommendation engine. Propers allows users to gather and collect recommendations from people and display them on a website.
The Propers API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of Propers with other applications. Example API methods include searching by account name and retrieving and displaying recommendations.
SongMeanings API: SongMeanings is a song lyric and meaning platform that allows users to follow music artists, search for song lyrics, and song meanings.
The SongMeanings API by Echonest allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of SongMeanings with other applications. The main API method is retrieving song meanings by song ID numbers.
State Decoded API: State Decoded is an online platform that displays and interprets codes, laws, legislation, and court decisions by state to make them more understandable.
The State Decoded API allows developers to access and integrate the data and functionality of State Decoded with other applications and to create new applications.
Taboola API: Taboola is a video discovery service that provides personalized video and entertainment content recommendations based on viewing behavior.
The Taboola API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of Taboola with other applications and devices, such as mobile, tables, and TVs. Public documentation is not available; interested developers should email info@taboola.com for more information.
Trovit API: Trovit is a search engine for classified ads in Europe and Latin America. Trovit pulls content from online classifieds and aggregates them into one search engine.
The Trovit API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of Trovit with other applications. Public documentation is not available; interested developers should email api@trovit.com for more information and API access.
wedjinni API: wedjinni is a wedding planning website service. Couples can create a wedding planning website and account and use the features available to plan their wedding.
The wedjinni API allows developers to access and integrate the functionality of wedjinni with other applications. Public documentation is not available; interested developers should email api@wedjinni.com for more information.
15 Feb 2013
Facebook’s New Location App: To Be Released Soon
Where are you now? Intrusive or not, Facebook is launching a new app that will allow your Facebook friends to know your exact location at all times.
While it seems that Facebook will take a big beating for this, they aren’t the first to include location technology in their applications. Apple, Google and many others have ventured out on the ledge of including location technology in their apps. For instance, “Find My Friends” by Apple allows you to find out the location of your friends and vice versa.
Only now, this Facebook App will allow your friends to know your location even if your phone is off (who turns their phone off anyway?).
Of course, privacy issues will need to be addressed but the overall consensus is that location enabling will not go away. App developers, advertisers, marketers and publishers alike see this medium as a way to get their targeted message in front of consumers. It’s inevitable.
While some will argue that Facebook is selling their soul (by selling ads) while violating the privacy of its users, advertising isn’t new for Facebook. That’s how they make most of their money—with advertising. Their ad revenue in 2011 was $3.2 billion, up 69 percent in 2010. The news is that they’ve just recently begun to focus on mobile ads, which just makes sense seeing that there are 5.9 million active smart phone users—and that about half of them use their smart phone to access the internet.
The platform is a great exchange. People congregate on Facebook day and night. What are your thoughts on this?
14 Feb 2013
Mobile Marketing – Consumers and Their Attitudes Towards Receiving Ads on Their Smartphones
With the growing number of smartphone users, marketing companies continue to stalk the option of advertising through mobile phones. You see, we know that smart device users are very close to their phones. Why wouldn’t advertisers tap this market? Let’s look at some facts from surveys conducted.
While a big 65 percent of mobile phone users are open to receiving offers and promotions on their phones, 29 percent of users are not happy receiving these offers. A mere 6 percent remain undecided.
When receiving advertisements, promotions and offers, not everyone likes receiving them from random numbers. This at times makes people think that their personal details are being shared with third parties. Though 52 percent of people don’t mind receiving offers from their mobile operators, only 8 percent would not mind receiving these offers from third parties. A big 40 percent don´t know how they feel about getting these offers.
In regards to the type of offers promoted on mobile phones, not everyone likes receiving offers from third-party businesses. Fifty-one percent of people surveyed only want to receive offers related to their mobile phone operators – discounts, package information, upgrades, etc. Only 15 percent of people are open to receiving promotions and offers from third parties. This is quite surprising, especially when we think that mobile marketing of products and services is a good idea!
What sort of mobile products and services offers do smartphone users like to see? Twenty-one percent of users like to see promotions and upgrade plans that are tailored to their usage and needs. Only 12 percent of people who participated in the survey are positive towards general discounts, while 11 percent of people are open to suggestions for a general mobile phone upgrade.
People generally don’t like being harassed with calls from marketing companies or third-party companies selling an offer. So what are the best ways to send your message across to those thousands of people that you want to reach? According to survey results, 75 percent of people like to hear about promotions, offers and updates via SMS or text messages. Fifteen percent of people like to hear about these offers via mobile internet and only 10 percent of the public like to see promotions on mobile applications. Text messaging is probably the best and most non-intrusive method of advertising your products and services on smartphones.
One of the most surprising discoveries made via the survey conducted is the fact that 83 percent of smartphone users like to see promotions and updates popping up on their screens up to twice a month, though only 2 percent of users like seeing a promotion more than five times a month.
After finding out so much about smartphone advertising, one big discovery made was that 72 percent of smartphone users would very quickly decide to change their network provider if they received third-party ads.
This information gives us a better idea of what consumers like to see and don´t like to see on their smartphones. Marketing is always a good thing, but it is also important to know what consumers like.
Image by Sweb Development
With the integration of smart phones, tablets, apps and the GPS, Social Local Mobile (SoLoMo) is driving how advertisers, marketers and publishers plan on reaching their audience.
This integration helps people to locate what’s around them – great sales, the best places to eat, the nearest mall when you’re out of town, the closest gas station when you’re running low on gas, or just to find friends when you need them the most.
Your apps are suppose to make you money, get you recognition and make life a little easier for the end user–not get you fined $800,000.
It’s been all over the internet that the makers of the Path social networking app will pay a civil penalty to settle U.S. Federal Trade Commission charges that it illegally collected personal information from kids without parental consent.
With our lives being so open because of the internet and social media, it’s no surprise that privacy would be of concern for app makers, organizations and the end user.
We all want to make sure we’re getting what we want out of the deal and have our privacy respected at the same time. That’s why we want to give you these three quick tips to make sure you’re not fined and/or penalized for your hard work.
Small Businesses Turning To Social Mobile Marketing
Social Media gave rise to an industry that proved to be as viral as the common cold, and with its infectious nature, it became a welcomed addition to many organizations as they harnessed its influence to interact with the masses.
With an explosive takeover of Social Media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, many others began consuming the online world of business. Thus, giving giant corporations no choice but to reconsider and implement the use of Social Media within their organizations.
With the popularity of hyper-local ads, advertisers can reach consumers to greater heights today with mobile advertising. It is however, important to understand the
intricate details of location data and privacy issues before being able to run a successful advertising campaign.
You should know how precise your location targeting capabilities are. You should also find out if the location data comes to you from triangulating the IP of the mobile device, from a registration database or from the device itself. The device will give out the most precise data, but the quality will again depend on whether it is being captured by a GPS signal, a Wi-Fi network nearby or the closest signal tower; in the order stated.
If you are relying on data coming from a form filled up by your target users, it only tells you that the user lives there, not where he/she is moving around. Then there is the fact that the user may not have updated this information if he has moved houses. Location data/ geolocation data should come from the device itself.
Marketing has constantly evolved over the years.
From conventional marketing, to what we have now – digital marketing. Marketing is now entering the digital world where apps rule.
Although consumers have been mobile savvy for quite sometime now, marketers are now doing all they can to use the mobile phone for a better connection with consumers.
It has been estimated that consumers will spend over 80 minutes per day on their mobile phones and devices (eMarketer).
In 2010, it was estimated to be about 40 minutes per day. That’s more than double. Mobile marketing should be a big priority for brands and businesses if they want to increase their sales.
Unfortunately, there are many businesses who are more conservative when it comes to mobile marketing. They are not very sure on how to use the power of mobile and they find themselves in unknown territory. All businesses should however know this much, nothing can come close to a consumer as much as mobile marketing can.
By 2016, marketers will have 10 billion opportunities to get that much closer to their target consumers. These numbers should be enough to show marketers how important it is to go into mobile marketing.