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Some Great Tips about The best way to Build an iPhone App

By Morten Hansen


Do you truly want to build an iPhone app?

This might seem like a daft question at first. But I would like to ensure that you have completely explored your target market and considered whether it might be better to launch an application on the Blackberry or Android platform.

If you have got your mind set on an iPhone app, then I enjoin you to also consider what takes place when it is a success? Yes, I am presuming that your iPhone application will be a success because they are growing so swiftly. Will the agency you use be well placed to launch an analogous app on the other platforms in order not to alienate patrons? Will you opt to mix your iPhone app with maybe a mobile internet site that would allow all other smartphone users to get access to your content?

Search out the iPhone apps you like!

I have managed many site and iPhone application projects and one of the screw ups I continually come across is bosses that are too dependent upon the designers. I advise that as part of your initial passing you really look into all of the differing types of iPhone apps that are in your market. If there aren't any iPhone apps then simply look at what you like. Ask why one flows better than another, what elements frustrate you and what ideas could you use to build your iPhone app.

Understanding Apple Connect for your iPhone Application

Apple Connect is a domain utilized by your iPhone application developer. It is basically a site that holds the small print of your app and is used to send your iPhone app binary code to Apple for them to approve... If you're fortunate (I'll get to that in a moment)

It's also the place where everything you see on iTunes is managed. So those screen shots you see for each app, you know it, they are uploaded through connect. You might want to go through connect to your iPhone app developer solely to become used to what you can and can't do.

Pricing your iPhone Application

Apple operates a tiered pricing structure so all you've got to do is choose a pricing tier from 1-10 to set your price around the world i.e if it is 59p in Great Britain then it will instantly be 99 cents in the US. Again, you can get access to this with your iPhone developer by visiting Apple Connect.

Planning your iPhone app layout

Bespoke applications will be much less dear if you do the ground work. By this I mean work out precisely what you need and create a 'work flow ' diagram. Essentially commence with a blank picture of an iPhone and sketch in your iPhone app splash screen and homepage. Work out what buttons will go along the bottom of your iPhone app to make the menu - you may have 5 buttons.

Next, using masses of blank iPhone images, create a ordered structure of your iPhone application. By doing this, you actually can show your designer how you would like it all to work i.e. Click here and it shows this screen or searches this item. Do not worry too much about whether or not it is technically possible as your iPhone app designer will undoubtedly suggest some options for improvement. Once the iPhone app workflow is complete then you and your designer know exactly how the app should work.

Bespoke iPhone Apps V's Online App Builders

Only about 12 months ago, if you wished to build an iPhone app then you had to have a look for a customised answer. Today things are rapidly changing and there are a number of US based corporations and one UK company offering a build your app online service.

The basic difference between bespoke iPhone application development and online app builders is cost and suppleness. So it all boils down to 'what do you want your iPhone app to do? ' and how much do you want to pay?

With bespoke iPhone applications you actually can create just about anything and there are firms or individuals really skilled in this area. So ask yourself what you are trying to achieve. Is it brand building thru clever entertainment or are you trying hard to get content to your customers so as to a) have interaction with them and build your brand or b) help them through to the final purchase of your product or service?

Remember back 1 or 2 years to the use of flash in web design. I was fortunate enough to join a domain pitch to Disney and guess what; we went overboard with flash. In reality we won the contract, however soon there were full flash internet sites everywhere. Today it is pretty much a different story, for most websites the number one objective is to get content across swiftly and effectively and in a manner that purchasers are used to, so as an example, having the menu on the top or the left side of your website page. Flash is now used predominantly in other. Areas to contribute to the overall user experience.

So for what might be classed as 'utility iPhone apps ' stick to the rules and always consider the content you are trying to deliver.

Online iPhone App Builder

The most important thing that you need to consider when using an online app builder is will it deliver what your shopper needs? Can an internet iPhone app builder offer your consumer everything that they require without you having to spend anywhere between ?3000 and ?20000 and, building a custom iPhone application!

Most online app builders permit you try them for free for either a set time or till you publish your app.

iPhone App Download Restraints

Your iPhone application must be less than 10mb's if you need users to be well placed to download it from their phone through the standard connection i.e. Not wi-fi.

If you're developing an iPhone game application of sorts then you're certain to go over this limit, however for an iPhone business application, then ideally try to keep it under 10mb's

iPhone Content

If you read only 1 piece of text in this whole document, ensure you read this next part which examines iPhone app content and the seriousness it has in getting your iPhone application signed off by Apple.

When you set about building your iPhone application the very first thing you want to realise is that content is vital. We'll take entertainment and games out of the equation for an instant because by their very nature they are very probable to get signed off. So let's focus on building a utility or business iPhone application.

Whatever you do, don't build it just because everyone else is. Build it with your customer in mind. Do your clients already view your products on the internet, are they inquisitive about your stories, do they visit your website to access content that's not available somewhere else, are you able to help your customers with an issue, do you need to discover what your customers think? These are only some of the questions you must consider when building your iPhone application.

Like any promoting or communication tool...building an iPhone application only works as an entertainment novelty on unusual occasions. For 99% of us, it must serve a real purpose.

What we do know however is that your customers need info, news, products or promotions in the center of their hand and with an iPhone app you have the perfect marketing tool from them to achieve access to your content and have interaction with your company.

The Cost to build an iPhone Application

A bespoke app can cost anywhere from ?3000 to ?20000 upwards. The price of bespoke iPhone application development is decreasing as more and more as iPhone application developers enter the market.

Building an iPhone app online costs anywhere from between $10 -$100 a month rental in the States an around ?45 a month in the United Kingdom.

Submitting your iPhone App

When your iPhone app is submitted to Apple for approval you can expect to find out whether it's been approved or rejected after 1 or 2 weeks. If it's been rejected than Apple will give you some indication in regards to what should be improved before you can submit your app again.

You will have to work with your developer to asses and fix the problem.

I'm hoping that you find some of the info useful and good luck.




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