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IDEATION
Step 1
How do you think of an idea for an app?
First is to identify why you are building an app.
- You want to learn how to build an app.
- You want to build a business.
If you are #2 but don't know how to build an app, I would recommend starting with #1 and then focusing on #2 after.
1. You want to learn how to build an app.
When you are just trying to learn, it is important to not over complicate things and just get started. Focus on 2 things:
- An app you personally want to use. Building something you want to use helps to keep you motivated and interested during the project.
- Something simple/well scoped. Your first app (even with minimal experience) should not take you more than a few months. Keep it simple, learn, then move on to more complicated ideas.
Example ideas based on experience level:
- Beginner: calculator, todo list (apps without a heavy backend).
- Intermediate: habit tracker, journaling app, nutrition tracker.
2. You want to build a business.
Businesses come in all shapes and sizes so it is hard to give generalized advice, but I would recommend focusing on:
- A need you have. Being able to empathize with your users is a huge advantage. If you are building an app with payments, ask yourself, would you pay for this app?
- Be realistic about the outcome. Building a hundred million dollar business is really hard. Building an app that generates $10-100k/year is a lot easier.
Once you have your idea:
Write up a brief spec that covers the following information.
- What are the core 1-3 functionality of the app? (I would recommend starting with 3 at most for the first version of the app).
- What is the onboarding flow for a new user? What information needs to be collected?
- What are the “boring” app features needed? Authentication, profile management, moderation, etc.