Apps Anyone making money?

[bostonpartykid]

I've been on the iPhone app store for about 6 months and have made a ton of money on it. There's also plenty of success stories out there about others who have made a fortune. Most of the the apps in the top 100 make hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions for the developers (I know this because I'm one of them).

I am thinking about bringing my app over to android. The question is whether the same opportunities exist in the Android marketplace? Are people really making good money here? Is there user base high enough to get decent exposure? Are there any success stories that people know about yet in the Android marketplace? Is it really a worth while platform to build a business on, or still just for hobiests? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[kabbie_mcfeely]

I've been on the iPhone app store for about 6 months and have made a ton of money on it. There's also plenty of success stories out there about others who have made a fortune. Most of the the apps in the top 100 make hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions for the developers (I know this because I'm one of them).

I am thinking about bringing my app over to android. The question is whether the same opportunities exist in the Android marketplace? Are people really making good money here? Is there user base high enough to get decent exposure? Are there any success stories that people know about yet in the Android marketplace? Is it really a worth while platform to build a business on, or still just for hobiests? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Since the market is just a few months old, I am sure there are no "millionares" as of yet.

With the number of paid apps that are out there I would ass-u-me some one is making some money.

 

[dkaufman1]

From what I have read about iPhone app devs, there are some success stories sure, and many more failures. Like most ventures I guess.

In the case of Android, I appreciate you asking the userbase here, but better information can be garnered from market reports. One I read indicated that Android's distribution model should allow it to be easily surpass the iPhone in terms of installed userbase. Once again apple has a huge lead in terms of excellence, but a player like Microsoft on the PC, in this case Google is coming along and saying we are happy to give away an OS and that is getting manufacturers interested in droves.

I tend to be conservative in nature and feel that the iPhone has a huge smartphone lead, but RIM and Windows aren't just sitting around. All of this combined with Android's position, makes it ripe. You can sit on the sidelines and wait.

Or you can try and jump in and be the Pac-man or SuperMarioBros of the platform.

 

[dkaufman1]

Let us know what you decide.

 

[bostonpartykid]

I agree, and some day Android installed base could surpass that of the iPhone, but that doesn't mean their Marketplace will be as popular. What Apple has done with their app store is really unique, and it's got more to do with hype and good marketing than the quality of the apps and store. Getting visibility in the app store is guaranteed success, I'm just wondering if people are finding the same to be true for the Android marketplace. For those who have apps for sale, are you making good money? Is anyone here making a ton of money or know anyone who has in the Android marketplace? In the first month of the app store, I already was on my way to a good income and knew of many others who were in the same boat + there were articles everywhere about people striking it rich, but so far I haven't heard anything about the Android marketplace so I wanted to know how it was doing before porting my app over.

The app store isn't a surefire way to get rich, of all my apps, only one makes me legit money, the others make me peanuts, so if you are in the app store and aren't in the featured section or one of the top lists, then you're not going to make much if any money at all.

From what I have read about iPhone app devs, there are some success stories sure, and many more failures. Like most ventures I guess.

In the case of Android, I appreciate you asking the userbase here, but better information can be garnered from market reports. One I read indicated that Android's distribution model should allow it to be easily surpass the iPhone in terms of installed userbase. Once again apple has a huge lead in terms of excellence, but a player like Microsoft on the PC, in this case Google is coming along and saying we are happy to give away an OS and that is getting manufacturers interested in droves.

I tend to be conservative in nature and feel that the iPhone has a huge smartphone lead, but RIM and Windows aren't just sitting around. All of this combined with Android's position, makes it ripe. You can sit on the sidelines and wait.

Or you can try and jump in and be the Pac-man or SuperMarioBros of the platform.

 

[Sarah.Mullen]

We

 

[rleal2010]

I would first try to see if you app can compare to some of our free ones, and even at that, dont try to price it to high because most of us dont like to buy apps that are too expensive.

Its like the saying go, a product that sells on one side of the field to a 10 people for 5 dollars, is still the same as selling to 5 people for 10dollars.

You might think that just because we dont like to buy expensive apps that it might not be worth it, but truth is that if you think that way, you might walk away from 10,000 dollars or 100,000 for that matter.

So think it through and hope for the best.

I've seen some apps that have had 10,000 downloads, and of course there are free apps that have had 100,000 downloads.

 

[cp1]

I've netted about 20 cents so far On my way to a candybar soon enough.

 

[sambocrockett]

Im going for an internship at a company that does mobile applications for marketing purposes and they seem to be doing really well. They were really interested in having me come in when I told them I was learning how to develop for android so they seem to think theres good money in there. I like androids market place because its not so restricted like apples.

 

[rleal2010]

I've netted about 20 cents so far On my way to a candybar soon enough.

whats your app, and how much is it priced?


there's probably a reason why you have only netted 20 cents so far.

 

[johnlgalt]

For all the folks that are trying to get apps for free, there are plenty of us who actually spend money on apps.

Currently, I have spent some $90 USD on apps, and every one I still use to this day. I have had my DROID since D-Day, so all of you know that it has only been 11 months so far, not bad, averaging over $8 / months spent on apps.....

The money is out there - as long as your app is worth it. You make an app that does the same thing 3 other apps do, and unless you undercut them in terms of price you'll probably not get far at all. You make an app that is unique, and can garner a good enough userbase, you'll find that you'll make some money.

 

[Nexage]

If you're looking for a way to monetize your app, check out Nexage | Mobile Advertising. Demand More.. We're not an ad network; we bring over 60 ad sources to drive the highest ad yield for our app developer clients. Benefits include increased fill rates and eCPMs, integrated reporting dashboard and consolidated payments.

You can sign up at Nexage | Contact Us

Thanks,

Jenn

 

[usml]

Looks like right now there're two companies that provide paid "ad mediation" solutions on market -- Mobclix and Nexage. The advantages include a single account and a dashboard that consolidate your ad revenue from different networks. Does anyone know how much Mobclix or Nexage take their cut in the middle? Any other "ad mediation" providers out there?

AdWhirl is free, but developers have to manage their accounts with each network. However they get to keep all click revenues.

Is that a correct summary? Comments?
Thanks.

 

[johnsie]

I would argue that the easiest way to make money is by developing apps specifically for companies and individuals. Some people are willing to part with alot of money to have 'their own' app. However I have found that there is more demand for Facebook applications at the moment. I usually get approached by several people a week looking for me to develop an app for them. I'm a full-time programmer and have a guaranteed wage, so I turn most of them down. The big issue at the moment with phone apps is that there is too much fragmentation in smart phones and that makes it difficult to have a one-size-fits-all app that works on Android, IOS, RIM and Symbian. With FB apps you can cater for everyone with just one set of code, thus reaching more people.

 

[ElAndroider]

Since you have made so much on your iPhone app, how much are you willing to spend to port your app to Android?

 

[alostpacket]

If you're looking for a way to monetize your app, check out Nexage | Mobile Advertising. Demand More.. We're not an ad network; we bring over 60 ad sources to drive the highest ad yield for our app developer clients. Benefits include increased fill rates and eCPMs, integrated reporting dashboard and consolidated payments.

You can sign up at Nexage | Contact Us

Thanks,

Jenn

is it CPM or CPC?

 

[alostpacket]

Also interesting story on engadget: Google 'not happy' with Android Market purchase rates, many changes coming -- Engadget

I welcome Google getting more involved personally.

 

[Nexage]

is it CPM or CPC?

Hello,

Revenue will be a mixture of CPC and CPMs depending upon which advertising networks we utilize for your application. We optimize on eCPM. If you are receiving more revenue on a CPC campaign, we will replace CPC over CPM. The received revenue will be updated every 24 hours in the reporting dashboard specific to you and your application so that you will be able to view exactly how much revenue each advertising network is making on your behalf.


Let me know if that answers your question.

Cheers,

Jenn

Nexage | Contact Us

 

[amit_guptawap]

Friends,

Can you suggest what would be the best network to monetize andorid apps? So far I have used following networks with mixed result

Admob (earning OK, fill rate 20-30%)
Inmobi (earning bad, fill rate 30-40%)
Smaato (earning bad, fill rate 50-60%)
Adiquity (earning OK, fill rate 75-80%)

I was wondering what would be the best choice. Should I shift entirely to Adiquity as they are giving the best result so far? or there are other options which I can try?

 

[amit_guptawap]

Any other "ad mediation" providers out there?

There are some other mediation providers like Adiquity, Smaato etc.

 

[TylerYork]

Hey OP,

Unlike the other people selling products here, I am not here to pimp my product

Instead, I recommend you check out TapJoy's Android fund. As far as I can tell, its specifically for iOS developers porting their product to Android. They "fund" you with free advertising credits so your newly ported game will have a lot of players right off the bat

And no, I don't work for them. Just thought that fund was actually pretty relevant to your problem