Selling apps to small businesses

Ancillarium said:

Hmm I guess a large part of this depends on how sophisticated the app is, and how much you're willing to spend to have it developed. If you're selling an app to a business I don't think you have to worry so much about spreading the word/advertising - as the business should do that on its own.

If you need something simple (essentially an app that is a mobile website) with basic contact info, loyalty functions, etc - there are quite a few drag n drop interfaces that will let you build the app for free (though you may have to pay to publish). All you have to do is convince your business client of the value of such an app and sell it for a few hundred bucks.

Click to expand...

1. I code them myself in Xcode.
2. A few hundred bucks? lol I don't work for that cheap...

My team developed a small app for local restaurants. The price was not too high but not cheap...At first it was really difficult to get to these local clients and they looked at us rather doubtful. Now we got a few sales and we are planning to expand but at this time we have not enough resources.

So...if you want to be really successful with creating apps you need to have very good business plan and a decent budget for offline and online marketing. The niche is also important.

I've started a business making apps, custom software, and websites strictly for businesses or people with business level money (in USA). I've found that a lot of people don't know that software costs a lot of money to make and market. My strategy atm is to not work for below what you think you are worth. I'm a certified Dev and still don't know everything. That's why it costs so much, because its so difficult. Also don't do equity deals unless someone is literally trying to pay for the app before you are even done (aka customers are going if you had an app for this I would pay for it).

Hey! Glad I stumbled on this thread because I was about to post a new thread about SMB app hybrid method. I'll post some of the things i've learned and done.

Some of the niches to target: Auction houses, Antique dealers, Specialty hospitals, Child care centers, Mental health professionals (Counselors, trauma care experts, etc), Pharmaceutical companies and of course Restaurants.

Auctioneers, Antique dealers...are businesses that rely on repeat customers. They keep in touch with their clients via email/snailmail/telephone and it is easy to position a mobile app as an alternative to their combined customer contact processes (and a cost effective one at that). I have also tried to pitch an app to a veterinarian/pet supplies client who is keen on the idea.

I have sold apps to a diabetes care specialty hospital and two child care clinics. These hospitals deal with clientele that has a great need to follow a medical regimen. I bought the source code of a diabetes medication schedule app, hired coders and customized it for my client. I also rejigged the same code, customized it for the child care clinics. I can actually continue modifying the code to target other similar specialty hospital niches...

I'll admit that I have only pitched and sold apps to my existing offline SEO clients. Creating a business plan and cold calling new clients will entail a different level of difficulty...but the market is there and it is still untapped. I am also not a coder and you are...so, you probably will find it much easier to conceptualize app ideas and estimate the costs involved...So, it's been a while since you started the thread..have you managed to land a client? Do keep posting and bounce off ideas...thanks...

teachers may use it to communicate with their students, why not... lol