Book Review: The Secrets to Selling iPhone & iPad Apps

by Bill French on 12/05/10 at 5:17 pm

Bill French is an information architect specializing in Internet applications. He is also the co-founder of MyST Technology Partners and Senior Editor for iPhoneCTO.

This book hits on a number of challenges that CMOs and other sales and marketing executives face when plotting an iPhone app strategy. This is an excellent reference guide that will help any team understand the challenges of building quality and high-demand apps.

The book’s title, “iPhone and iPad Apps Marketing: Secrets to Selling Your iPhone and iPad Apps” (by Jeffrey Hughs), is nearly as long as its detailed subject matter and it covers all the expected business and marketing issues concerning the development and successful launch of an iPhone App. But then it adds many topics that round this work out as a true business resource and strategic planning bible.

According to the author, the App Store represents an industry in transition similar to the transitions occurring in consumer markets such as groceries.

The App Store is much like your local supermarket. In the 1980s, the average supermarket carried about 7,500 items. Today, that same supermarket carries upward of 50,000 items! Every vendor is fighting for shelf space so more people will buy their products. Manufacturers want their products positioned at eye level or placed on their own display at the end of an aisle. They are willing to pay extra for this privilege. The supermarket makes its money through high volume turnover of its products. Those items that don’t sell well are pushed to the bottom of the shelves or moved to another part of the store.

In the book, Jeff describes the key elements necessary to be successful in iPad and iPhone app markets.

…three components are the pillars of your app’s success as shown in Figure 1.13. Failure to address all three of these areas well means the likelihood of your app succeeding in the market is slim.

If you are a C-level executive trying to get your head around an iPad strategy for public-facing or customer-centric apps, this book will immerse and prepare you for business development and leadership in app development.

You can find Jeff’s book on Amazon. You’ll also find my Free eBook/Spreadsheet Planning bundle (Native App vs Web App) and my recent article at iPhoneCTO about this topic of interest as well.