Planning for iPhone App Development with the Toy Lounge

Here is a list of questions you should think about, and write down detailed answers for, before we can quote pricing for your custom iPhone app project.
We will send you this list when you contact us about custom iPhone app development, so if you start work on the answers now you'll be that far ahead!

Detailed description of your custom iPhone app idea:

Please describe in as much detail as possible the full concept of your app.
Is it a game, a utility, is it for business or entertainment, corporate use, self promotion, etc?
What purpose will this app serve? (Why does the world need your app?)
Why do you want to make this particular app?
What is your competition - is there something similar already in the app store?
What makes your app different or better if there is a similar app on the market?

Your Goals for this Custom iPhone app: 

When do you want this app to be live on the market? Are you under a deadline?
Who do you intend the end user of your custom iPhone app to be?
Can you describe a scenario where a customer will use the app?
Will this app be for sale or will it be a free app?
If for sale, what price are you thinking of charging?
Have you thought about both free and enhanced paid versions for your app?
Will you want the app to interact with a website?
Do you intend to add additional features to your app at a later date? 
Do you want the app to be distributed outside of the app store (private or internal use)?

Custom iPhone App Design Outline:

Do you have sketches, storyboards or other mockups of your proposed design?
Will you provide your own artwork and design for the app, or will you need the Toy Lounge to provide artwork services?
What type of images will be in your custom iPhone app?
Will there be animation and/or sound effects?
Will the app be multi-user?
Do you want to incorporate social networking features?
What name would the app have, and what name would you want as the publisher of the app?

Once your app is on the market: 

Support - ongoing online support is required for every app.
Do you want to do support yourself or have someone else take care of it?
Someone may copy your app once it's on the market (similarly different) - what will you do if your app is copied and listed in the App Store?
Will you be able to upgrade your app if copied?
What if you are charging for your app, and someone else makes a Free version of your app?
How will you promote or publicize your app?
Will you need any ongoing usage tracking or other metrics?

This is not meant to be a complete list for planning your iPhone app but it's enough to get you started on a good plan. Detailed early planning on your part will save you big $$$$ on the overall cost of your custom iPhone app.

Please contact us at the Toy Lounge with any questions on developing your iPhone application!

Planning your iPhone app