So you have a brilliant idea for an app? You’ve been thinking about it for months, and you are absolutely sure that nobody else has thought of it before. You are confident that it will skyrocket in the App Store and become the next popular fad. Good for you! Every great invention begins with an idea. But if you are serious about turning that idea into a tangible reality, then here is what to think about next.

Should I Hire Someone or Develop the App Myself?

This should be one of the first questions on your mind. The cold hard truth is that the programming languages used to build the most popular apps are Objective-C and Java – arguably some of the hardest to learn.

So in reality, if you’re a fresh beginner when it comes to coding, then the quickest route to getting your awesome app in the App Store will be by contracting someone to do the work for you. If you decide to learn everything yourself you can expect a minimum of 5-6 months full-time study. This time will make you competent with the language, but not an expert. To gain real in-depth knowledge of the language you can expect around 15-18 months of study and practice.

It is also important to note that programming isn’t for everyone. The reason 10-year olds become international hacking celebrities is because they are born with natural logistic talents, not because coding is easy. If you hated math and logic while in high school, then coding might not be the most enjoyable subject for you to learn.

How much is it going to Cost Me?

Making an App requires a serious investment. There is a real shortage of experienced coders in the market today, so they can charge a hefty price for their services. If you’re short on cash, the Internet offers plenty of creative ways to come up with the capital you need. Crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter may be a great place to get your app development at least partially funded.

But if you’re committed to making a great app, then it is imperative that you find a developer that you can trust. You will want an experienced company that will stay on top of your project, and not abandon it as soon as hits the app store.

Also, keep in mind that if you want to include your app in the Apple store, they charge around $100 a year for a developer account, which you need in order to upload an app.

What should be the Price of my App?

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula when it comes to pricing your app. All apps are different.

Popular games and entertainment apps are usually free. If you look at the top charts of any App Store, then you will see a lot of free apps up there. So, if you’re going to make something in this genre, then that’s something to consider. There’s still a way to make plenty of money from a free app, which usually comes from advertising. Some experts say that a free app is the sure way for to get the most downloads and attention at first.

However, other app experts disagree with the free philosophy. Some believe that starting an app at the premium price of $1.99 is the way to go, and then lowering or raising it according to how it’s doing. For example, some app developers price their apps at $1.99, and then hold special promotions during holidays to create buyer urgency.

How long will it take to Develop?

From the moment you have that wonderful in-the-shower app idea, to the moment that it gets approved in the app store can be quite lengthy. It takes a lot of patience and waiting. An app can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months to develop, depending on your programmer and the complexity of the app. So be prepared to wait for a while.

What will I do after the App is Developed?

So let’s say you get to that moment when your app is fully developed and it has gotten accepted into the App Store. What a glorious day! Now what? Well, if you didn’t have any follow-up strategy, then chances are it will stay in the app store and never get noticed.

Marketing is probably one of the most important things any aspiring app developer needs to think about. It is crucial to have a plan involved in order to give yourself a fighting chance amongst the other thousands of app scattered in the App Store.

You will need a promotional plan that includes press releases, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and every social platform that you can get your hands on. This is what will determine the monetary success of your app.