\u201cI have this great idea for an app, and I want to talk to you about developing it,\u201d the excited voice on the other end of the phone says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s a call we get about once a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The voice goes on to say their idea will change the world, solve problems people didn\u2019t even know they had, or disrupt the (insert industry here) industry. All they need is someone who can build the app for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We love getting these calls, because we\u2019re inspired by people\u2019s passion and entrepreneurial spirit. The down side is, invariably, we have to be the ones to bring them back to earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too often, they don\u2019t realize all the work, thinking and planning that needs to go into an app. More importantly, they aren\u2019t aware of what can happen if this careful planning doesn\u2019t take place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What can happen is they have to start over or even scrap the idea entirely after losing a sizable investment of time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To avoid this fate, there are five big questions every entrepreneur should ask themselves before they hire a developer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first mistake entrepreneurs usually make is thinking developing an app is a technical challenge. In reality, it\u2019s a business challenge and a marketing challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the app is to be the basis for an entirely new company, the first step is to write a business plan<\/strong>. We admit this isn\u2019t the fun part, but it is vital to ensuring you have a sound business strategy. And, with tools like the Business Model Canvas, it\u2019s easier than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the business plan is written, or if the company is already established, the next step is thinking of the app as a product<\/strong>. That means validating it as a product people will want and use, and is likely to generate the desired revenue (through paid use, advertising, or another monetization strategy) before you sink money into creating it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a number of ways you can approach this. You can work with a user experience (UX) designer who can develop the basic visuals you need to show the app to potential users and gain their input (more on that later in the article).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also follow a product planning, prototyping, and development model, which can guide you through the process and help you ask the right questions to validate your idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three main models we use, either individually or in sequence, depending on the client\u2019s individual needs and the development stage of their product. One process we use is the Design Sprint, which guides you from idea to prototype in a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our Digital Product Blueprint<\/a> process is designed to create a clear understanding of product goals and features, user personas, visual design, and solution architecture. The result is a detailed \u201cdesign prototype\u201d that\u2019s ready to take to the development stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n