Have an idea for an EV app, but too old to know how to make an app (but willing to learn).
Just wondering if there are services out there that can make an app (and hopefully not steal your idea).
Cheers
How Would You Go about Getting an App Made?
tunzafun001 on 24/03/2023 - 17:00
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The worst part about these kind of threads is that we never get to hear what the great idea even is.
Ahhhh…some curiousity…need to film the process and sell the rights to Bezos : )
Shark tank is actually casting at the moment: https://go.mycastingnet.com/Apply/Show/SharkTankAustralia
Not a fan of Shark tank..seems a bit of "80% of the company for $15 funding". Guidance would be great though.
Not sure if this allowed, mods delete if its not.
I've got a small business on the Sunshine Coast that specializes in exactly this.
Happy to give you a free quote (and sign a NDA to prove we won't steal your idea!), will include an Ozbargain discount, of course.
Thanks @eptgrant
Got some really good advice here and realise I've got some work to do before getting to the development stage. Will be on touch.
I just finished a 12 month project getting my MVP made - https://otsketch.com/
Here are the key take-aways
1) Carefully choose a viable, longterm and appropriate coding language
2) Always choose an expensive, professional developer with existing projects that is here for the long term, you do not want them dropping out after half a year
3) Design your app pixel perfect in Figma so communication is clear
4) Create a project management tool (i.e. Trello) with each core feature and clear notes on how it should work, for example, moving an object
- Cursor changes to move icon
- Click and hold to move
- Object selected is highlighted in 1px border #0000FF
- When object is moved, unsavedChanges changes to TRUE
- Multiple objects can be selected at one time
You really need to get into this kind of detail. Otherwise, each feature could be quite rudimentary and you'll spend time refining this anyway.
5) Developer quotes on each task > Quote Accepted > Work Commences with Delivery Date > Work Completed > QA > Complete should be the process
6) Learn as much coding and github as you can. The more you know about the project, the more you can contribute to the code, the more you understand and less reliant on others, the better.
Hope it helps :)
Another brilliant insight. Thank you very much.
As a qualified OT (never worked in the field though) this was the last thing I expected when I clicked on your site.
Will pass on to some OT friends and get their thoughts.
Good luck!
This is niche suite is amazing, as OT / Elderly homes modifications is hit and miss. Wish this was available when my grandmother had a ramp installed via NSW Home Care Assistance Services. The "certified" installers designed and built a ramp @ 6% gradient…
You don't have the skills. Find someone who does and partner with or hire them (do not outsource this). They'll know what to do. Don't spend 12 months building an MVP. If it takes more than a few days you're doing it wrong. If it works Fusion2k3, this is by far the exception and not the rule and their skills may counter the risks most people face doing this. In either case, making sales is the first step - then you build.
What unique skills do you bring to the table? Make sure they're complimented by a partner/your first hire.
Also, rare for people to steal your idea. It comes down to execution. That's why loads of copycat businesses are insanely successful. I wouldn't worry about that too much - just make sure you own the source code and have local copies of it in its entirety. Similar principle for hosting services if needed, but that's a bit harder to explain.
Source: My firm helps SAAS companies scale and exit.
Your first point is to build a really detailed doc explaining what your app does. The question "How do I get an app built" is like saying "How do I get a house built". How big is your house, how many rooms, are you going to architect it yourself, are you going to pay for a decent builder, is your budget of $1000 going to get your a mansion at the sea. You can buy a shed from bunnings and do it yourself (app building platforms such as https://appinstitute.com/ , https://buildfire.com/ , https://www.appypie.com/app-builder/appmaker) but if your app requires a family of 5 then this most likely will not work. You can try build an MVP first, with minimum budget then "sell" it to a larger investment company who will fund a redevelopment, project manager, professional developers, architects UX designers etc.
Really without a detailed explanation of your app and how it functions you are going to find it very difficult to get an idea of costs.
As an example; I own an outsourcing company overseas, we build apps for far less cost than an "Australian" company. Who will sell you at Australian prices, while still using overseas developers (although they won't tell you that.) We put together a team of developers specific to the job. We also assist in architecture and basic guidance. Node.js backend, AWS infrastructure, React front-end.
If you do not have a project manager or solutions architect then we would advise to also hire one of these.
Some clients supply their own project managers, designers etc. for specifications, requirements and our developers will basically do as they are instructed.As an idea of costs, we would not take a job for less than $10k a month and would realistically recommend 6-12 months to build a functioning MVP that will have the foundations to continue development without rebuilds. On the flip side I was talking to two airline pilots recently that attempted to build an app, completely tech clueless, chose a cheap developer on fivr and expected him to build the entire app. They budgeted $30k. After wasting their money there they tried to rebuild with an Aussie company. After $100k down they have a terrible app, built wrong, and they still have not told me what technology it's built on and they do not have access to the source code. It's an expensive learning mistake. They also didn't factor in the costs of actually marketing the app. So no users = no app.
As a bit of advice… do not be precious about people "stealing" your idea. An idea is not worth the paper it's written on. The people who succeed are the ones that either have the funding to do it right or the technical experience to manage it themselves and manage the team.
I'm not trying to scare you but you must understand that building an app is not an easy task. It comes with risk, investment, dedication and lot's of late nights.
Hope this helps, good luck on your quest!
Smug alert is a great South Park episode, but EV people will deny its existence
Getting the app done might be the easy part. The marketing part is a bigger challenge, how do you plan on telling the world?
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Haha..good insight into AI. Content is there, but context is often way off.
Juxtapositional Enigma..love it!