Starting Out

I have been doing a lot of research lately on just how to start programming and making apps (to sell!) for the iPhone. One common theme I have come across is the need for a slight background knowledge in C or C++ programming. Well, at first that was a  bummer, then I realized that the Objective C language that the iPhone uses is some what similar to Java, which I just happened to have a main focus in in college. Now Apple provides all of the tools you need to start programming and developing apps, there is just one catch, these tools consist of 1000′s of pages of documentation. For those who aren’t that familiar with the C programming language Apple has a nice introduction into Objective C here.

After you have read the documentation you should have a good idea about what is going on. I didn’t just stop there, I also got a book, iPhone Application Development For Dummies, this book has been crucial in learning exactly how every piece of your code fits together and exactly what everything does. It also helps to teach you how to register to be a developer, and how to submit your app, etc.

Once you have a good app idea, you should lay out the interface and see how you want everything to work. You can make your own custom splash screens, icons, buttons, etc. using any graphics program (any that create .png anyway, they work the best). I prefer Fireworks, since I use it for the website I have become fairly good at using and can making graphics for my apps quickly. Once you get your interface up and “wired” together you get to do the fun stuff, all of the coding. Now the Intro to Objective C from Apple is very useful here and Xcode has links to all the Documentation that Apple provides, plus videos, and all kinds of help. One of my favorite parts of Xcode is the API Reference, and the Research Assistant (click a method, or class and find out where it came from and what it does)

Once you get under way you can use all of the available sample code and tools that Apple provides to make some basic apps, and work your way up to that cash cow. But hey, why not submit your basic apps as free? (don’t forget to add ads).

Interface Builder

I think one of the coolest tools included with the iPhone sdk files and Xcode is the interface builder. It is simple to use and lets you lay everything out exactly how it will be shown on the iPhone. The tools are easy to use and allow for multiple views (or screens) and allows you to ad pre-coded pieces to your project to save you time, after you build the interface it will also write the files for you and make an connections that are necessary.

Getting Paid for Apps

Well this came as a bit of a surprise for me. You have to create a contract (makes sense) to sell apps, not required for free apps, and within this contract information you have to supply a bank account that uses a SWIFT number. Funny enough, it turns out my bank doesn’t have one, so I read that you can try and use Apple’s banks SWIFT number and your banks routing number, and you should still get paid. At this time the contract is being processed. So what am I to do? I have an app I wanted to sell for $0.99 and lo and behold I can’t. So why not submit it as a free app? Well then the time I spent making it really wasn’t worth it. The solution? Simple, include ads!

AdMob Ad’s in the App

By putting ad’s within your app you stand to generate more revenue than from selling the app on the App Store. How? Well you earn revenue for all of the impressions, so all someone has to do is open your app, have the ad load up and bam there’s an impression. Now with the app being free, more people will try and and open and see the ad, maybe even click the ad and buy something (more revenue!). So this is the approach I am taking with my first app. I plan on making more apps in the future (if the contract goes through, paid apps) but the power of marketing, whether it is on a website or iPhone, has really shown itself. My app is currently in review, and I have already received 12 impression = revenue. So I am very much looking forward to it being published to the App Store.

Making Serious Money

It seems the big money making apps are games. So I am currently trying to think of an idea for the next big puzzle game or <insert game type here> game. These apps are usually big sellers and trying to create an original idea this late in the game seems to be more challenging than I had originally thought.

Feel free to comment with any tips, ideas, suggestions, or even some success stories from apps turned gold!

Related posts:

1. First iPhone App Finished!
2. iPhone 3.0 Jailbreak Ready