Developing iOS Apps: 4 Myths Debunked

As I mentioned in “Developing Apps for iOS,” some people feel intimidated by the thought of creating software.

My advice was simple: Don’t wait to start developing ios apps, and don’t worry if you’re tech-stupid. Many, many brave souls with no coding expertise have gone before you and created a roadmap. If the potential profits in the App Store have caught your attention and the potential freedom that comes with residual income has captivated your imagination, then keep reading.

Did you ever see one of those ancient maps with the uncharted areas around the areas? Cartographers would fill the blank spaces of parchment with drawings of monsters. Like nature, the human mind hates a vacuum, so we populate the unknown with the stuff of nightmares.

Your first order of business in app development is identifying all the myths and monsters. I’ve debunked four of the most common ones below. You may discover that the only thing holding you back is misinformation, fear, or some equally flimsy excuse.

Myth #1: You have to be super smart to build an iPhone app.

What do a 12-year-old Brit, 9-year-old Singaporean, and 12-year-old Thomas Suarez of Los Angeles have in common? They have all released apps into the App Store. Do a Google search for “youngest kid to build an iphone app” and see for yourself. I mean this as no slight to these precocious kids, but your noggin is definitely up to the task.

Myth #2: You have to do a ton of research.

As with any business endeavor, you should do your due diligence and explore your idea’s feasibility. Keep in mind, however, that doing research often induces analysis paralysis. Fight this inert state with a three-strike combo: Pick an idea. Read all the reviews of similar apps. Use other developers’ mistakes to distill the concept into the one most important feature. Voila! You’re ready to begin.

Myth #3: You have to have a huge budget.

Wrong again. Online platforms, such as Appmakr and Buzztouch, enable you to build apps for free. Did you get that? Free. You can also submit your idea to companies like Medl Mobile’s App Incubator and FundedApps.com, who might pay you for the idea or offer profit shares. (I’d recommend an NDA in this case.) You could also work out a profit sharing with an independent developer.

Myth #4: There’s too much competition.

Competition means that there is a market, and a market means that there is money to be made. Only people cranking out inferior products worry about the competition, and your app is going to be 1% better, right? Your “market” is, in reality, over 160 App Stores in countries around the world. Chances are, the competition never bothered to “localize” their apps and translate all the words into Chinese, Arabic, or French. All the better for you, my dear.

Let’s end on a positive note with some of the more attractive aspects of developing iOS apps:

· You can be your own boss.
· You can work only with people you like.
· You can work from anywhere in the world.
· You can literally carry your business in your pocket.
· You can eventually hire other people to do everything.

In my next post where you’ll learn one of my favorite rules of thumb. When you make your own iPhone app, be sure to remember this: Audience first, fun later.

Credit Where Credit Is Due

I’m indebted to Chad Mureta for helping me create my own roadmap. He’s good at explaining things in a way that is easy to understand. You can buy his book here (affiliate link), and while you’re waiting, you should check out “How to Make iPhone Apps” (affiliate link) on Udemy. Be sure to read the reviews, and keep in mind that this training course is designer for people who want to learn how to code.