An app idea isn’t enough to build a successful app on. Before launching a finished product, ensure the app is viable.

If it’s not, tweak it until it is. Only viable apps succeed in the marketplaces.

Build A Minimum Viable Product

One of the quickest ways to determine if your idea is viable is to create a MVP. Think of this as a prototype. The MVP could be a very basic version of the app, a landing page, a slide show or anything else that demonstrates the core concept and function of the app. The purpose is to have something to show potential users, industry experts and even developers to determine if the idea is well received and possible to execute.

Takeaway: Don’t spend more than a few days to a week on the MVP. Hire a developer to build a simple prototype and test with the target user base. Take any feedback and use the ideas that best fit your vision of the app.

Use Keyword Research

Quickly test the general viability of an app through basic keyword research. Use free or premium keyword research tools such as those listed on WordStream and iAcquire to see how popular the app concept is. This will also show how much competition currently exists in the niche. While not the best indicator, it does give an idea of general demand and can be narrowed down based on country.

Takeaway: Start the initial research with simple keyword research. It’s cheap and helps you know immediately if any demand exists for the idea.

Solve A Problem

One simple question many businesses fail to ask is whether the app will solve a problem. App users download apps for two reasons – solving problems and entertainment. Does the idea solve a problem a user would have? If so, how much competition is there? How will this app be different? The better the app is at solving a common problem, the more viable and popular it is.

Takeaway: Interview the target audience and introduce the concept to them. Ask if it solves their problem and if not, how it could be better. Collaborating with professional developers is also helpful in determining if the app solves problems effectively or not.

Meet With Experts

Even before an MVP is created, talk to experts who specialise in the idea’s subject matter. They’re able to immediately determine if the app delivers what customers want and need from an app. This could be app developers in a particular niche, subject matter experts in the industry or consumer analysts. A quick presentation is all that’s needed to give the expert an overview of the idea.

Takeaway: Let experts help guide the idea from basic to viable. It doesn’t take long and usually it’s free. Meeting with several experts gives you a more well-rounded view of what’s necessary to make the app idea better.

Test Demand

While a MVP and keyword research are useful for testing demand, a simple landing page mixed with an ad campaign are ideal for testing consumer demand. It costs far less than an unsuccessful app launch and gives a clear idea of how users feel about the potential app. If your social media accounts or website are popular, place polls, basic presentations or other marketing material and see how users interact. Even checking app stores such as the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for search terms related to your idea are perfect for testing demand.

Takeaway: Without demand, an app isn’t viable. Test the demand thoroughly before proceeding with development. Consider discussing this with an app developer as well as they understand market trends and general demand for specific app types.

Conclusion

Every idea isn’t going to be viable, but many are with the right amount of research and tweaking. A little testing before hand helps save thousands later.

Not sure if your idea is viable? Contact StuartMedia for guidance from idea through development.