Mobile apps are expected to grow up to $935 billion in revenue in 2023. Apple Store has about 1.6 million apps while Google Play has 3.5 million apps in their system. About 21% of millennials open their app more than 50 times a day using 10 apps a day. An average user has about 40 apps installed on their phones with a variety of services. Mobile app usage accounts for about 70% of digital activity. Mobile apps have now become an essential part of businesses and even startups. Other businesses have also started a mobile-first strategy where they launch first via a mobile app.
No-code development has made app development easier and faster in the last few years. The user base has grown and the pioneer platforms have improved a lot over the years. You can use no-code to tap new technology like artificial intelligence, extended reality, NFT creation, and even decentralized finance. You can read all bout them here in our Estel Library HERE. App development with no-code is also popular because it allows them to digitize businesses and even as internal apps for major companies. Entrepreneurs also saw this as a great opportunity to make money through SaaS and even e-commerce.
With the burden of app development removed through no-code, what should startup founders consider if they decide to make money with the app they built? Here is a quick guide on some of the things to consider when launching an app to monetize.
Cost pricing should definitely be a consideration in the early stages of no-code app development. Knowing the best pricing model is essential for your business to thrive. Here are some pricing strategies that you can consider for your app.
Offering your app for free is one of the most popular app pricing models around. For Google Play, about 68% of apps are free and the rest are paid. A free app encourages installation and product trial for the customer. However, how does this help you make money? Here are two ways it can help you
Being a FREE app means they can enjoy all features without paying anything. This is usually done as an add-on to an established product or service to support the main business.
These kinds of apps let customers enjoy certain features in exchange for viewing 5-30 second videos. This is called earning through ad revenues. Advertisers rent the airtime you have with the ad and show relevant content.
This kind of pricing lets customers access your app in a limited manner. . Just to get a gist of how it will be useful for you in the long run. The app is free to download but access to additional levels and features will be limited depending on what you want to pay for. There are three ways to execute a freemium app strategy.
Paid apps let you access all features of the app for a fee. Other add-ons will be charged extra but otherwise, you can enjoy the full version already. Even though it is lucrative, it might not work for all business types, especially with the vast options out there.
Carefully decide your pricing option because it can make or break the first part of your business style. Also, consider the costs to build it whether you have an agency or not. If you are working with an agency ask them to provide a breakdown of the costs per phase. This will include the number of hours and manpower needed. If you are working on your own, consider the hours and investment you need to make as well.
After you have given birth to your app, it’s time to consider what digital marketplace will you be putting it on. If you want to tap Apple users, you have no choice but to upload it to the Apple Store. For Android, Google Play Store is the dominating marketplace but there are some alternatives as well. Here is a really quick guide to registering your app to the leading stores right now.
1. Create an iOS distribution provisioning profile and distribution certificate
2. Create an App Store Connect record for your app
3. Archive and upload your app using Xcode
4. Update your app's metadata and important details in the App Store Connect record
5. Submit your app for review
1 Fill up your application’s information via the Google Play Console in the web
2. Upload the app bundle files for your app and label whether its Live or Beta Testing
3. Set your app’s content rating
4. Choose your pricing model and availability
5. Submit your app for review
Doing your app with no-code means less complicated app maintenance. This should be regular thing since names and descriptions added before aren’t making as much sense as or unused equations or tasks are still running that bogs down the app performance. Here are some quick ways to maintain your no-code app.
You have to have a standard naming practice that is clear, unique, and intentional. Consider its role within your app, what will it look like from another no-code developer’s perspective, and if the name accurately represents its purpose.
Don’t Repeat Yourself (DRY) is a common software development principle that aims to manage data and app structure. Having duplicate data can introduce unnecessary errors and require data to be updated in multiple places. It’s best to simplify your app structure to reduce the tendency to repeat a certain task and code. Consolidate the pages in your app by linking to existing pages.
Just like in plants, pruning the dead parts can make the plant healthier. As time goes by, some parts of the app can go stale and with the updates some parts become unusable. This can either slow down performance or even confuse the customers. Review tasks, rule and even pages that don't seem to serve the purpose already.
Creating and monetizing an app is a journey in itself. No-code development eases one part of the process by making it accessible, easier to learn than custom code, and fast deployment, By eliminating the challenges in one phase, gives you more time to analyze and review the other phases. No-code development can also be iterated quicker so any changes along the app development journey can be easily executed.
These features allow more people to create their own apps either for personal, business, or even their advocacies. This is why we are excited to see more no-code development in the future.
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