The start of a journey through the world of Android
And so it begins, a new part in my programming life; mobile applications for Android. There is certainly a lot for me to learn, as the whole mobile market is new thing to me. This blog and website will form my personal journal about the progress in trying to make profitable, quality apps.
First Application
A good first step is to release an Android application. I am currently working on a casual, relaxing game that is based on music. This application will be free, for multiple reasons. Now you may question yourself, why a free application? Didn’t you want to make some money off your hobby? There are quite some reasons to make it a free application.
First of all, I am not sure about the quality of the application and the audience that is reached by a free application is way bigger, there are very few applications out there that reached a very big audience. By reaching a big audience, I can gather a lot of feedback and improve my skills.
Second, not only paid applications generate revenue. Free applications are worthwile for multiple reasons, there’s in-app advertisements, but that is not the only way one can make money off free applications. Free applications boost sales of their paid counterparts and mobile ad companies are growing more and more creative with ways of monetizing mobile applications. From in-app purchases to push notification ads (which in my opinion are too invasive).
Third, I feel that my skills regarding the creation of applications do not meet the standards of paid applications. Users have to be satisfied, as that is good for business. There is always the option of releasing a paid version with more features than the initial free application.
Current goal
My current goal is to release an application which will generate enough revenue to pay back my expenses made towards this adventure so far. Excluding energy drink costs:
- €15.- Webhosting for 12 months.
- €12.- Domain annual fee (.com).
- €12.- Initial costs for domain and webhosting.
- €20.- Approximate cost of becoming an Android developer on the Android market.
- €20.- Web Designer Pro Bundle (Valued at over €500.-, available until 27/2/2012).
That sums up to a total of €79.-
I don’t know when I will reach this goal, as many things can happen. I have set myself the goal of reaching this within 2 months of releasing my first application on the Android market. I certainly think this is a very possible goal and I will do everything in my power to reach this.
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If you have any thoughts or feedback, do comment below, tweet or send an e-mail!
I hope the stories I share will serve as an inspiration to other (future) Android developers, as their stories have inspired me.