iPhone App Maker - Best Practices When Developing iPhone Applications

iOs mobile devices are becoming more and more mainstream these days, as many tech aficionados continue to support Apple's latest gadgets. Not to mention the influx of apps on the App Store are as well absurdly growing by the minute. And as what you'd expect from a very competitive market, an iPhone app maker can only be successful in mobile app development if his/her "creation" can rise above the competition. So, below are some best practices when developing apps for the iPhone:

Usability before functionality - Some developers consider features of an app first. While it's not entirely wrong to do so, they should prioritize UI & UX above anything else. Remember that users have to feel comfortable using your app and not overwhelmed or confused with all the app's features/functionalities. So, an app maker should concentrate on developing that is more user-driven. Find out your users' needs and preferences, and be sure to cater to those things they require or want.

Focus on your main features - You don't want your app to be a jack of all trades, master of none. This is important to remember to make your application as awesome as possible. Find out its core functions and focus on perfecting those. Besides, you can always add more features later on--that is when your users have given you feedback which ones they like.

It's all about the touch - Of course, the iPhone's touch-screen is a crucial factor to consider when creating an application. Fortunately, millions of iPhone users have become accustomed to the main gestures (tap, pinch and drag), navigation controls and user interfaces. That's why you need to make sure your app UI design matches and works well with the device's user-friendly, multi-touch commands.

Be aware of the limitations - The iPhone, has indeed, a robust, fast processor. However, it's still incomparable to the speed and capacity of a computer. So be sure to customize your app for the device and don't try to stuff it with features way beyond than it can manage. For instance, a 3D animation may look stunning on a PC during development, but mobile processors may not have the capability to handle overly demanding graphics.

iPhone app development (and succeeding at it) is a challenging task, especially to a newbie app maker. Be sure to learn the some of the best practices found above and apply them as you deem necessary.

App Maker Marketing Tip: Where to Promote iPhone Apps

You should know by now that there are hundreds of thousands of iPhone apps all crowding the App Store. Sure, your spanking new app may be featured in the "What's New" category, but that's for a very limited time only. Besides, you shouldn't just rely on the exposure that you'd get from the App Store. You need to use other marketing channels and promote your iPhone app elsewhere. Plus, an app maker must also be a good marketer to really succeed in the mobile application industry. To help you get started, here are a few places where you can spread the word about your app:

Website or blog - This shouldn't even come as a major surprise to any app maker or developer. Having a dedicated iTunes page for your app is not enough if you want your application to sell well. In fact, you need a website or blog even way before your launching date to act as a teaser and build anticipation. Of course, it goes without saying that this space should be useful and informative. It should include screenshots, demo video/s, tips/how-to section, and a user feedback system.

Review sites - Reviews are crucial because like most consumers, app users read iPhone app reviews/feedbacks first before downloading. That's why it's crucial to get your app reviewed by influencers like review sites and tech bloggers. Contact and pitch your application to them. Give promo codes so they can quickly try out your app. Positive reviews can help encourage more potential users. On the contrary, not so positive ones can help you further improve your mobile app.

Social media - Social media visibility takes time, so it's best to start on it early. Social networking is a low-cost yet very effective means to reach a huge market. While it's a great platform for viral marketing, remember to keep a human presence. Constant, shameless plugging turns off customers and prospects. You're there not just to promote your app, but to also attend to their needs like inquiries, suggestions, complaints, etc. An app maker should try his/her best to be very sociable and cooperative on social media sites.

YouTube - The #1 video streaming website, YouTube is no doubt the best place where you can publish a demo video to show people how your application actually works/looks, in total action and running on an iPhone. You can also upload promo video or teaser of your app. Don't forget to properly tag your videos to make them easily searchable. YouTube also lets people share/embed your videos on their own blogs or social media spaces, which can quickly become viral. To avoid bored viewers, try to keep your vids concise yet informative.

Acquaintances - Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing! That's right; tell your friends, family, colleagues, classmates, even exes and your entire network about your new and exciting application! Lovingly oblige them to give it a good rating and promote it to their friends, too.

Being an app maker creating a cool app is not enough to succeed in this highly competitive environment. You must actively promote it, and the above examples are just some of the marketing avenues you should consider.