Re:Evolving App Store Business Models
by sharkjacobs on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @02:52AM
(#12434050)
I don't doubt that advertising and IAP are more successful monetization strategies than selling your app, but if I got into indie app development it would be because I wanted to make apps which I myself liked, respected, and would want to use. That immediately precludes advertising and makes IAP very challenging.
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As I recall from his podcast[0], the author is specifically trying to make a business of indie apps, as opposed to making the best apps he possibly can. Or, to put it another way: he's making the best apps he can within the constraints of his business model.
(I'm not saying the apps are any better or worse for it; I haven't used them.)
He's probably right that in order to make a living as an indie mobile-app developer you have to go with the flow, but it does imply that making an app to satisfy your own standards would not make you any money.
Ditching app development because one more successful monetisation strategy doesn't suit you is a bit odd. Maybe BuzzFeed makes more than a highbrow monthly-fee publication, but they can both still have their place. You can still make money with a straight-up paid app, no ads and no IAP.
Re:Evolving App Store Business Models
by tobltobs on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @03:14AM
(#12434154)
Then obviously you shouldn't do indie app development.
Re:Evolving App Store Business Models
by sharkjacobs on Wednesday September 07, 2016 @12:28AM
(#12440978)
we have reached the same conclusion