Prototype : To Innovate Your Mobile App Fancies!

In the modern era, the mobile apps are being rolled out in their hundreds and thousands. To say that the competition in the app market in quite competitive would be an understatement. As a mobile app developer, there’s no other alternative to making a name for yourself than offering the best in terms of convenience and value to the end user.

The recent developments in the mobile industry have at least made one thing certain, that it’s a “buyer’s market” The mobile users can place their demands and the developers are expected to get the work done. However, at the other end of the spectrum, the developers have some sway over how they wish to offer their services. That’s where the question of free vs paid app models arises.

What are the different models out there?

Before a mobile app developer can think about adopting a certain model, a complete understanding of all models is indispensable. Before briefing on the merits and demerits of each model, it would be fair to surmise that each model brings something to offer and the decision about which one you choose is totally dependent upon the type of your app.

 
Paid apps
 

Paid app model is quite a popular app model. It’s quite straightforward.The developers build an app to sell it. The user has to pay a one-time fee to purchase the app. All the future patches and latest updates cost are included in the same fee. Often the app offers trial versions initially for a limited period of time to attract more people.

Everything seems to revolve around the cost. Goes without saying it has to be a reasonable one. You don’t want to shoo away the users by scaring them with your prices. The ios app development company has more to gain from the paid model.

 
Free
 

The free model is just what it sounds like. It’s there to be tried for free.The app developers in this model aren’t overly concerned about the money. They just want the people to be using their apps, thereby increasing its popularity. This model can also be used to gauge the user interest levels before opting for the other popular monetizing models. A large number of Social networking apps seem to follow this model. An Android app development company is more likely to dole out its apps under the free model.

 
Freemium
 

Freemium model is arguably the better of both free and paid. Instead of charging a one time fee or offering the app free of cost altogether, the developers can earn money in bits and pieces. Usually, this is achieved by locking some of the app features as paid ones. If the user finds value in the app, they have the option to unlock the premium features by paying for them. It’s actually is a perfect model where both parties to app stand to benefit from each other. Freemium model is more common among the gaming apps.

 
Paymium
 

Paymium model has to be least popular of all the app monetization models. The reasons are far too obvious.The monetization approach seems to be far too blatant here. Under the Paymium model, the app has both an initial purchase cost and later the IAP costs. This model is more suited to top brands, offering premium services and top quality content that justify the cost of the app. High-end gaming apps tend to follow the Paymium model.

How do these models fare against each other?

 
Free Model
 

Free model is okay if you’re banking on creating a lot of buzz among the mobile audience. You’d also be hoping to acquire more and more investors and further enhance your revenue potential. But to actually make a generous amount of revenues a mobile application development company has to crack the market literally at an unprecedented level.

 
Paymium
 

As mentioned earlier, Paymium happens to be the trickiest of all models to handle. If you can score in this model, then you can make a fortune. However, it’s not that simple. Paymium brings in the difficulties of both freemium and paid models. To implement it best, you’re expected to have a great audience reach, which is challenging without a considerable marketing budget.

Even if you do have the audience, getting money out of their pocket is again not that easy. Justifying your cost without even offering a free trial is a tough nut to crack. It’s still a new model, given most mobile users are accustomed to using free apps.

What actually sells?

Majority of the apps seem to follow the free or paid model.The latter stands to benefit with an upfront fee but no IAP. Paid apps rely on the marketing efforts and free trials to persuade the users to buy the app. Normally IAP is not a very popular option in paid apps, and one-time money from the user is all you can expect from an app. Freemium allows more room to play around. Customers could be made to contemplate spending what might seem like the huge amount of money after they’ve tried and tested the app in its entirety.

Also in a Freemium model, you could limit the number of advertisements that most app users find annoying. The answer to which model would suit your model is influenced by a variety of external factors. Such as are you a starter, how good is your audience-reach and what kind of an app are you making are some question that needs to be answered. Freemium is the best bet for most apps, but other models could prove just as beneficial to your app and therefore need not be neglected.

It’s a harsh reality that most startups get muddled up in the very initial stages owing to the overwhelming challenges that come along their way. It’s as much as the gravity of the situation as the unpreparedness that can make the business world look a really daunting place to them.

What makes the crisis even more difficult is the feeling of solitude in the struggle. As social beings, we tend to perform better when we’re supported by others in our cause. That’s where the novel approach of co-working spaces is gaining huge credence. A Mobile Application Development company must also come to terms with the co-working spaces.

The concept of co-working spaces is based on the belief that people excel at their work if they’re surrounded by like-minded and talented individuals. The spaces bring in a whole bunch of people from various walks of life, who share some or all thoughts with one another. That way all can contribute to each other’s growth with their fair share of experience. This implies that a startup that hasn’t yet had a taste of the real business scenario can learn from other’s experience what they might have to contend with.

All co-working spaces operate pretty similar in nature but may differ in the kind of service, the setting and group of people they host. But there’s more to co-working than just doing away with the solitude. Startups that work in co-working spaces tend to be quadruply successful than the rest.

The key difference could lie in the drive to work more, increased motivation and interaction levels. That seems to make perfect sense. A startup avails the priceless insight on complex business problems right off the bat by working in a co-working space. People have confessed to having a relaxed and more exuberant feel in the co-working spaces. Mobile Application development services can benefit immensely by opting from co-working spaces. Here’s more to make you convinced that co-working space does indeed make a difference to a start up’s life.

Strengthen Your Network

The value of a good network to any business can’t be emphasized enough. People go so far as to say that the success of a business is highly correlated with its network. And nowhere else than in co-working spaces can a startup find the ideal prospects to widen its network.

That almost everyone you’d come across in the co-working space will be a professional is a given. These people can literally contribute to your understanding at a much higher level. Furthermore, working alongside these equally passionate and goal-oriented people would have a positive impact on you.Sharing new ideas, getting new insights and learning from other’s experiences is a great way to kickstart your startup. Who knows you may even run into your future business partner in a co-working space. The value of the network for an iOS application development company is huge.

Very affordable

Compared to renting out a workplace, the co-working places prove to be a much cheaper and affordable option. There’s no need to even enter into any contracts.You could pay on the daily or monthly basis as per space you’re looking for.

So that’s a great advantage as you don’t have to stick around for too long if your work is only for a short period of time. In addition to this, most co-working spaces provide fluid access to the basic office needs such as a printer, fax, internet etc.Stay worry-free off these meager costs in a co-working space. As Mobile application development company, you can’t ask for anything more than that.

Tap Into The Pool Of Talent

Co-working spaces look to house a coterie of smart and talented people with a shared set of beliefs and interests. This kind of atmosphere is hard to find otherwise. Imagine all the brilliant and innovative ideas that take birth when this group of like-minded people set-about interacting and sharing their wisdom with each other.

Complex business problems that can seem enormous to a single individual can be broken down and solved with much ease when discussed within a group. The scope of learning, experimenting and then executing your ideas in the best manner is something that a co-working space has a lot to offer. An android application development company can increase its chances of success through these spaces.

How To Find The One For Yourself?

As previously mentioned that most co-working spaces are similar in nature, but they can be different in the way they operate. So your job is to find the one that works for you. Most spaces allow will allow a free-tour for a day or two. That should be enough to get a good sense of how things work there. What one might want to be particular about is the kind of community and people the space houses.

They’re the ones you’d find yourself turning to in the moment of need. Then there are incubators that provide very good support but in return of equity. They do happen to be quite selective as to who they let in their space. But if you manage to find your way in, you’d be set to experience a great working environment where everybody is ready to help each other.

Contrariwise, there is office space where you’ll have to rent a place and pay accordingly. You can’t expect to have much interaction here and everyone seems to keep to themselves. So support, facilities and the type of events that take place there are the key things you’d need to focus on to decide which space is meant for you.

Where To Find One?

Co-working spaces are easy to find. A simple Google search would bring up a good list of them in your vicinity. Most notable co-working spaces often hold events and seminars. If you happen to attend them, you’d get the chance to meet new people, share opinions and get the sense of the community.
So always stay vigilant of these events, there’s no telling in what way they might prove beneficial to your startup business.

It’s very fulfilling to create an app that attains immediate success. The same app could now open new avenues for growth of your business. However, the real potential of an app only becomes apparent when it starts pumping money into your business.That’s right, apps nowadays are increasingly being used for the purpose of monetizing. Read this guide to find out how it’s done and what’s the best way to go about it.

The monetization model you’ll adopt depends largely on the purpose of your app and its audience.It’s very true that a monetization model that works effectively for one mobile application development company may completely flop for another. So choose wisely based on the type of your app.

Premium or Paid Apps

To use paid apps, one has to buy them straight from the Play Store for a one time fee. Paid apps model is a bold way to monetize your app. When comparing how paid apps fare against free-apps in terms of usage, it becomes clear that the former tends to struggle.The reasons are more obvious than elusive. People are very reluctant to spend money on apps unless they know it’s really worth it. Paid apps are generally representing some top brands, so they have the name of the company to justify the cost of the app.

It goes without saying that such apps are feature-rich and offer very engaging user experience. It all comes down to what you’re promoting. If it’s a behemoth multinational offering its prime products and services then charging users for the same wouldn’t need any justification. An android application development company can definitely look to follow this model.

Freemium

Under Freemium or Free to play model, the user is able to download the app for free. But generally has to upgrade to the paid version to unlock the full features. This model is best suited for gaming, music, magazines and other such similar apps.The idea is to offer limited features or content to the users that allow them to enjoy the app. Based on the user’s experience they have the liberty to either upgrade or stick with the free version.

This model has proved to have been more successful than premium or paid apps.The prospects to make revenue here are plentiful, but it tends to be slow-going. Even if the user stays with the free version, you could monetize through means of upgrades and premium content. Most budding mobile app developers looking to go with the Freemium model first up.

In-app purchases

The in-app purchase model usually works in collaboration with Free or Paid apps. It comes as no surprise, that free apps with in-app purchase remain the most successful monetization model. But it’s all to do with the implementation.

If you get it right, considerable revenue generation is guaranteed, but get it wrong, and you’d have to deal with negative criticism, poor ratings, and possible app failure. It’s a great model to have but needs great care to proceed with. An expert iPhone app development company knows all too well the value of getting in-app purchase model right.

Advertisements

A number of businesses simply opt for advertisements to generate revenue through their apps.This model is becoming more and more popular. The users themselves are willing to put up with a few ads in exchange for free access to app features.This is best combined with Freemium model for maximum output. The problem with this model is that you have to know how many ads are enough. Too many ads just spoil the fun and set your app for failure.Mobile application development companies are always cautious about advertising models.

Subscription

Under this model, you apply for subscription to app services on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis. This is quite a familiar model but hasn’t gained as much popularity. It’s best suited for apps that consistently offer brand new content. A forward-looking Android application development company would know how to get the subscription model right.

How do you decide which is the best model for you?

Be it more or less, all the business models mentioned so far have the potential for revenue generation. But which is the best for your app is a tricky question for most mobile app developers!
Normally app monetization strategy should start beforehand, it’s not one to be left as an afterthought.

Having said that, the revenue generation correlates highly with what you’re offering. That is to say, ‘you get as good as you offer. So strive to provide best-in-class user experience and then focus on stages within the app where you could incorporate ads.

Something for everyone in Freemium with in-app purchase

Apps such as Subway Surfer and Spotify illustrate the best application of in-app purchase model. In Subway surfer, users have the option of purchasing keys that gives them another life and continue playing the game for a higher score. And in Spotify, people get to register as either free or premium user.

With a premium account, users get additional features such as saving music and streaming at the higher bit rate. This is whatFreemium with the in-app model is all about and there is no surprise it’s become so popular among the users. It has something to offer for everyone. Any android application development company can reap its benefits.

Premium must always justify the cost

While Free apps are abundant, there is no shortage of premium apps on play store either. Question is when is it right to opt for the premium model? Startups just testing the waters are better off going Freemium at first, evaluate the app success and then introduce premium features in a smart way.
However if the app represents an established brand, then it’s fair to go for Premium model right away.The app, however, should justify the cost.

If it doesn’t live up to the billing, there is a risk of inflicting damage on the brand itself. Premium apps can be found in all the major categories, be it Education, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Business, Personalization, Traveling etc.If you feel the features you’re offering are worth the users’ money, you’re well within your rights to make them a premium. An iPhone app development company just needs to get the balance between value and cost right.

Relevant ads to do away with annoyance

The advertisement model, which is nothing new to the users has always been around. But it has both its merits and demerits. Again, this model is best implemented with Freemium. The idea is that you won’t ask people for money for using the app, they’ll just have to put up with a few ads every now and then.

Careful understanding of your audience is necessary. If they value user-experience then having an ad-free interface at fitting cost would come in handy. The more embraced form of advertising that’s becoming more and more popular is native-advertising.In native-advertising, the developers look to promote relevant content or media within the app.It’s a smart way of advertising, ensuring that the user always feels at home! A mobile application development company should be right to advise the extent and use of ads in apps.

Subscription will always be part of the game

The subscription model hasn’t really had the greatest success, even though it’s one of the earliest forms of monetization. Though primarily associated with magazines and newspapers, it’s now starting to work in its way into music, movies and gaming apps as well.It’s always been thought that if you have new and fresh content to offer from time to time, a subscription model is your best bet. There’s definitely room for improvement in it and smart mobile app developers always find new ways to bring the best out of any model.

It’s all about understanding your audience in the end. The more you know them, the better your chances of earning rewards. Just think about your monetization strategy simultaneously while developing your app. If you’ve done your homework well, there’s no reason why your app monetization strategy would let you down.

In the process of building a Mobile App, it is very important to keep an eye for detail on pixel perfect designs and well-written codes. In this affair of developing phenomenal Mobile Application, a prototype holds the most inevitable and powerful place. So what a Prototype exactly is? A Simple Google search will bring up this:

Conceptualizing the idea and determining the possible aspects of the idea is the key element in the process of Mobile App Development. A blueprint or anything that is created giving Mobile App Developers fundamental understanding of the feature and functionality of the product can be summed up as a Prototype or a Minimal Viable Product.

A forward looking Mobile Application Development Company believes that a prototype is such a crucial element in the whole mix of things, that a Mobile app is lifeless, if prototype was not there. For the sake of testing user interaction, a prototype is a cherry pick.

A prototype acts as the touchstone for quality from the initial stage of App UI Design to implementation of designs. In order to define a mobile app sleekly, its features and the degree of interaction have a major role to play. It is not a waste of your time and efforts in designing a prototype or a mock up as this is the base of your mobile application and is going to bring life into your mobile app.

How Much Time Should You Devote in Prototyping?

The duration of time varies depending on certain factors, such as:
– Idea of your client
– Mobile App Developers
– Efficiency of designers
– Complexity of the project

The clearer your prototype is, the better the product will be, as a nicely prepared mockup sets everything straight in the approach of Mobile Application Development.

The best thing that prototypes bring to the table is they help us in avoiding endless tiring hours of explanations and also save Mobile App Developers from the hustle of uncalled for changes.Ace Mobile Application Development Services with a Good Prototype

Ace Mobile Application Development Services with a Good Prototype

A skillfully well-designed sketch of mobile application is the first ladder to reach the success of Mobile Application Development. The best apps are believed to focus on one thing and that thing is done very, very well (Source). If you will start designing and coding without any MVP then you will may find yourself in between the devil and deep blue sea


A Tip for iPhone Application Development Company – Don’t neglect your customers as 1 billion users who use iPhone and its a given you have to make engaging apps to capture the imagination of that many people. Without a validated and smartly designed prototype you are just beating around the bush. Wisdom dictates – A prototype must be represented in a way that lays emphasis on user interaction. Each function of the mobile app must be pragmatically showcased so that your client understands it’s usability.

For Android Application Development Company – The design must be goal driven. The best approach to this is to conduct a survey from Android users and make teeny tiny amendments in your prototype based on the problem encountered by them while using android apps. An app is never going to succeed if it fails the essence of user-friendliness. Predefining your color scheme and transition animations in accordance with your screen is definitely a smart move.

How To Avoid Common Mistakes While Prototyping For Mobile Application Development Company?

Don’t Overdo it

Sometimes prototype are such fun to make that we forget the real time use of it and polish it to look as beautiful as a unicorn. The purpose must always be clear. You don’t have to build a real thing, rather a prototype is simpler, convincing, interactive and super quick. Creating an over the top breathtaking prototype is just an overkill. Create a prototype as per your project’s demand. This is not the best place to show your creativity and beautify a mere blueprint.

Focus On The Flow

Very seldom people pay heed to the workflow of the prototype. It is a horns of dilemma situation for makers as they are not sure whether to enhance the design or the functionality. It is a very tough situation for Mobile App Design And Development Company. The answer to this problem is always to go with functionality. A beautifully made prototype puts clients in illusion that this is the real time design and they start critiquing but ignoring the functionality.

Incorporate Feedbacks

Designing a prototype merely out of imagination and client’s concept is a big ‘No’. Take the better road and as soon as your prototype is ready, make your audience use it. Seek their opinion and do the required changes. If you have to sell your Mobile Application Services then make them worth buying for your users.

A Mobile Application Development Company must understand the importance a prototype has. The rapid change in the software industry calls for efficient Mobile Application Development Services and in order to fulfill the required standards, it is essential to save ourselves from the trap of commonly committed mistakes.