A comprehensive step-by-step guide for getting your app idea through the complex process of validating, nurturing, creating MVP (minimal viable product), further developing, and getting it out at the market.

1. COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE:
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT PARTNER
2015 © Provectus
Palo Alto, CA
HOW TO (AND SHOULD YOU?)
TURN YOUR APP IDEA
INTO A BUSINESS
A real comprehensive step-by-step guide from idea to market

2. Let’s start from two harsh truths here:
HARSH TRUTH #1: IDEAS ARE NOTHING.
The modern tech advances have reduced the value of ideas to dust, trivialized it,
neglected it. Everyone has ideas, some good, some bad. In fact, no one even cares
whether your idea is good or bad – both can work equally well or not work at all. Did
you know Twitter started as a podcasting company?

3. HARSH TRUTH #2: EXECUTION IS EVERYTHING.
After the adrenaline wears off, will you keep at it? Think about Kelly Slater, one of
the best surfers ever. How great does it sound to surf for a living? Well
imagine surfing every, single, day, day-in and day-out, for decades. The days you’re
sick. The days it’s so cold you feel like you lost your wetsuit. The days your bones
won’t stop aching. That’s what executing on an idea is. Ready for that? Then proudly
read on this comprehensive step-by-step guide to making your app something real.
As Gary Vaynerchuk said: “Execution is sexy”.

4. Step 0: Realize the competition
If you’ve missed the last guide on How to choose the right software development
company, we strongly recommend reading that guide to have an idea of costs and
geography, as that will have an impact on the decisions you have to take here.
According to Statista, the number of apps in Google Play and Apple App
Store stood at 1,6 and 1,5 million, as of July ‘15. That’s your competition.
The worst part is, however, that all these apps are not ideas, they are
already opportunities.
Also read [SlideShare]: Competitive analysis during idea validation
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5. Step 0: Realize the competition
Nobody will stand still to wait until you’ve arrived, and give you a head on start.
Knowing that (and not letting it bring you down) is a crucial part of success.
Your competition have developed marketed, and even started generate revenue
from their products. But fret not, this step-by step guide will help you transform
your app idea into a real asset, if you’re determined enough.
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6. Step 1: Validate the idea
First thing to do when you decide to bring your app idea to life is to validate it. Only
after successful validation, you should begin thinking on hiring developers and
designers, keeping yourself busy with copyright and trademark rights, starting your
own company or hiring someone to do the job.
How to validate your app idea?
There are several options, each with advantages and disadvantages. You can also
combine the following options for better validation.
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7. 1.1 Self-validating the idea
Analyze the target market by yourself
You can do the validation all alone if you have the proper skills. You should
supposedly know a lot about the niche you’re going to enter, and a thorough
analysis won’t be a problem.
Answer the following questions:
● Does the target audience really want my app?
● Are there any other similar apps in the niche?
● Is the competition strong (be thorough here)?
● Can I get profit if I offer unique features?
● Can I monetize the app in this niche?
● Is the niche big enough?
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8. 1.1 Self-validating the idea
In case you don’t know how to run a ‘smart’ analysis, make it simple - just approach
your potential customers and speak to them. It is a really effective way of finding
out what your target audience wants.
Remember: your app must solve a problem you target audience has; so having a
frank talk with it is necessary, even if your analysis is statistics-based.
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9. 1.1 Self-validating the idea
Pros:
● Your idea is safe with you;
● You save money because you do not hire anyone to do the validation;
● You know the niche, but the analysis can help you come up with even better
ideas;
Cons:
● You can fail to do the analysis properly, which will cost you in the future;
● You don’t get professional advice, which may make the difference for the whole
project;
● You lose too much precious time - someone else may utilize similar app idea and
capture the niche.
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10. 1.2 Outreach validation
Ask family and friends – even if they’re not experts in the niche, you’ll likely get
valuable insights. If you happen to have friends who are designers, developers and
marketers, you can ask for their professional advice. Find those you can trust.
Pros:
● If your friends are professionals and you trust them, their advice will make a huge
difference. Being professionals, they look in all the flaws of your idea and may
instantly figure out that there is no point in pursuing it at all;
● Your friends can help you design and develop the app. It can be easier to work
with the people you know.
Cons:
● Or the opinions can be biased;
● The whole thing may ruin your friendship.
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11. 1.3 Validate by networking
Attend industry events and talk to professionals
Events organized by Startup Weekend and Meetup are ‘converge spots’ for dozens
of IT professionals from all over the globe. Don’t be afraid and visit the next event
right away. Find your bearings and talk with people around you – even not saying
much about your app idea, you can still find a ton of valuable information to guide
you through.
Of course, being too ‘chatty’ about your app idea may be dangerous. You never
know that friendly guy doesn’t overcome you and win the race to the Forbes’ richest
with your idea. Risk it, but be careful.
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12. Step 2: Create an MVP
Well, you’ve done the analysis, talked to friends and professionals. You’re sure that
your app idea is viable, and even professionals think so, but what about the real
market? Here’s the most difficult part begins - you should develop an MVP and test
it.
MVP, or Minimal Viable Product, is a small, functional prototype of your future app.
To make it to the market, you should hire a designer and a developer (or several
developers). The first will work on how the app looks, the second - develop basic
functionality for A/B testing. Make sure you hire professionals with experience
because you’ll rely on their expertise and advice. Also, they may be of much help in
the future when it comes to real stuff.
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13. Step 3: Finding developers
Way #1: Hiring Freelancers
Most likely you’ve hired freelance developers and designers to work on your MVP,
so it is obvious that you can do the same thing to develop the app itself. Elance.com,
oDesk.com, Freelancer.com, Staff.com, TopTal.com and other freelance resources
are abundant with professionals from the U.S., Western and Eastern Europe, India
and Pakistan, and other regions of the world. Craigslist is also a nice platform to look
for freelancers.
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14. 3.1 Hiring freelancers
Pros:
● Hourly rates may vary but are generally lower than with design agencies;
● You can hire the best professionals from all over the globe, not limiting yourself
by geography (in this case you should be ready to pay the extra buck).
Cons:
● It’s always hard to control freelance workers. You never know what this new hire
from Bangladesh is doing when you’re asleep in California, so each step should
be documented;
● You should have a very detailed plan, and for that you should have the
tech/design background, as well as the time and skill to actually manage your
freelancer(s).
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15. Note: non-disclosure agreement is a must. Be sure to make it
clear that copyright infringement is prohibited and will be
prosecuted.
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16. 3.2 Choosing development partners
Find passionate partners – be it an individual freelancer or a software development
company. Find those who care about your idea. Or find the ones you’ll love to work
with and make them care sharing your own enthusiasm.
People feel when the product or service is done with passion. Find developers,
designers, and marketers who really believe in your idea. They can be your friends
or freelancers you hired for your MVP or professionals you met at the events or just
colleagues from you previous job - give them a chance!
Note: non-disclosure agreement is a must, too.
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17. We’ve covered this topic thoroughly in the last guide, Comprehensive Guide on
Choosing the Right Software Development Company, so read it to have some
valuable insights. As for now, mind that hiring a team of seasoned reputed
professionals to work on your app idea is a smart move for so many reasons.
However, it comes at a cost.
3.3 Hiring an agency
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Want to know how much is getting your app developed
by top-notch developers? Get a free quote now!

18. At any rate a local development service provider would be an ideal choice. Same
language, same time zone, common cultural values, but at a cost of higher prices,
especially if you live in the US, UK or Australia. The prices may vary by an order of
magnitude. If budget is not the principal decision factor – local companies may be
the one-stop decision for you.
3.3 Hiring an agency
12
Want to know how much is getting your app developed
by top-notch developers? Get a free quote now!

19. 3.3 Hiring an agency
Pros:
● You don’t overmanage – companies have processes and infrastructure set up;
● You work with professional people. Top-notch developers, designers, testers and
marketers who care about their reputation;
● You are covered from copyright and trademark standpoint;
● The team will most likely have very positive suggestions to improve your product.
Cons:
● Upfront costs are high. Your project is probably not the only one currently
ongoing with the company;
● Communication problems may occur if working with agencies overseas, because
of language and time zone differences.
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20. 3.4 Creating your own startup
This topic is so massive, that covering it is a tough task on itself. However, creating
your own company or startup is a viable option, especially if you decide on the
partnership thing. It is a much better option from the law standpoint and allows you
to work on copyright and trademark for your app. Also, you can find only one
partner – for example, it can be a person with tech background. You can make this
partner your CTO, while focusing on management and marketing.
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21. 3.4 Creating your own startup
Pros:
● It’s legal. In case of copyright infringement (by partners, in-house
employees, freelancers), you have much better chances in court;
● You are the CEO, not just a person who came up with the idea in the first
place and then found all these people to make it done.
Cons:
● You should be a real leader, motivated and ready to overcome severe
difficulties;
● You’ll have to pay taxes and salaries. A group of people working in your
garage doesn’t have to do much with IRS, but if you have a company or a
startup, you are obliged to pay taxes and salaries. Red tape included.
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22. Summing up
Bringing your app idea to life is rather difficult, even if you have the budget. You
need to validate your app idea, which is tough on its own. You need to design and
develop the MVP. You need to find ways of developing and marketing the real app
afterwards.
The easiest route is to hire a development company in the first place. Professionals
will validate your app, then design, develop and make it to the market. And then
support it. They can skip the MVP stage because their experience allows them to.
The bad news is, you need to have enough money to pay for it.
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23. Summing up
Then, you can find your own startup company. You’ve already validated the app and
attracted passionate people to work on the project. Now, you can run your MVP and
analyze the market one more time. When it’s done, develop and market the app,
and get profit. The downside is that you’ll work on equity terms. It means you’ll
have to share the profit with your co-workers.
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24. Summing up
Also, you can do quite the same thing but without having to start your company
officially. Again, you’ll have to split profit in the future (in case the whole thing
doesn’t break down or your partner runs away with your idea).
Don’t forget about the non-disclosure agreement (NDA). And the last but not the
least option is to rely on freelancers. You don’t need to split your future profit with
them. You need to strictly control them and have staunch technical background to
check their work, though. Signing non-disclosure agreements with each freelancer is
a must.
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25. That’s pretty much it. Hope, you’ll choose one that suits you best. Follow and stay
connected to learn more in our upcoming posts. Subscribe to new posts from our
blog.
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Still hesitant on the costs for your app project?
Get a free quote now and kick start your success!

26. How to (and should you?) turn your
app idea into a business
A comprehensive step-by-step guide from idea to market

27. www.provectus.com
Contacts
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Suite 290, Palo Alto, CA 94301
1 800 679-8721
info@provectus.com
Gene Galanter
CEO
ggalanter@provectus.com
Artem Petrov
General Manager Mobile
apetrov@provectus.com