Now that the iPad has been released for a while and has found millions upon millions of dedicated fans and followers, iPad app development as a profit center is a very real possibility for thorough and creative individuals. Partner with an iPad app development firm that has your best interests at heart and has a detailed portfolio of success stories, and you'll be well on your way toward generating income through your unique application. Though it is true that some iPad users will balk at the idea of paying for an application, if yours is novel enough, they will gladly pay a small fee for usage. Read below as we examine the most popular platforms for mobile apps that are meant to be profitable, and talk with a talented iPad app developer to ensure that your application is feasible as a money-maker. While no developer can tell you for sure that your idea is a sure thing, they can at least draw upon their knowledge of the current iPad app marketplace and let you know if any other app like yours currently exists. This advice alone is invaluable.
Different app platforms that can serve as moneymakers include:
- Paid applications - These apps require a monetary commitment from the getgo, which will naturally deter certain people from selecting your app. However, if you have an app that is unlike anything in the marketplace or that serves as an invaluable tool, it may be feasible for you to ask for a fee. How you levy that fee is up to you, but a one-time cost is the current favorite method. If you choose this type of app, be ready to argue its efficacy and its value. Remember that there are millions of applications available for user download, and be honest with yourself regarding whether yours will be one that people will pay to use.
- Free applications with paid upgrading capabilities - This platform is a good idea for a few reasons. First, the 'free' label will give people carte blanche to download your application. A good example of a profitable application in this category is fitness applications that offer a certain specific service for free such as a virtual pedometer. These applications then give users a menu of add-on services that they can purchase, such as a virtual trainer, a food journal, a calorie counter and more. By drawing in their audience with a certain attribute, they have opened themselves up to potential add-on profits. This application is known in the app industry as a 'freemium' app. If you think this may be the right avenue for you to pursue, by all means, talk to an iPad app developer about it.
- Free applications - Even if your application is completely free and you do not plan to include upgrade selections within it, it may still serve as a moneymaker for you in the future. For example, many business applications are free portals that keep clients actively involved in the company they choose to support; different intranet-type portals engage employees and help increase efficiency through targeted communication strategies. These are intangibles that may not be able to be measured as direct income but will help your profits down the line.