The App Store Effect (From GMDC)

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December 27, 2008

(This post is from my old, old, super old site. My views have changed over the years, hopefully my writing has improved, and there is now more than a handful of folks reading my site. Enjoy.)

Paul Kafasis: The App Store Effect.

'''Snapper-brand lawn mowers are expensive. Many Snapper products cost thousands of dollars, and even their simplest push mower is hundreds of dollars more than some competing products. Snapper lawn mowers are not cheap. What they are, however, is reliable. They're manufactured well and designed to last for years. Snapper believes that a premium-quality product can command a premium price. They've built their business around that idea, and that business has been around for nearly 120 years.'''

Paul illustrates the very reasons why I haven't written an iPhone app. It simply isn't worth my time. I would rather focus on my existing apps where I know I can charge a fair price and keep on making a decent wage.

(Yes, a VoodooPad reader is coming for the iPhone. Eventually. At some point.)

Update: David Barnard also has a couple of thought provoking posts: Financial Realities of the App Store, and App Store Pricing.

And in case anyone reads this wrong- I'm not whining. I'm just voicing my thoughts, concerns, and reasons why I'm taking a wait and see approach. One of my guiding points of indiehood is doing things conservatively, which obviously doesn't apply to everyone. And yes, it is possible to reasonably price an app and sell a ton of copies. (Go go magic OmniGroup!)

Update to the Update: Touch And Go Pricing from Daniel Jalkut is also required reading. And as usual, I agree with what he as to say. Especially the part about trial versions of software.