It seems like everyone is creating an iPhone app lately, and let’s face it, there’s a reason why. Mobile devices are here to stay, and consumers’ demands from those devices are going to keep growing. Just as everyone needs to have a website these days, we’re not far from the day when everyone needs to have a mobile app. Even Newstex is offering mobile apps!
The question that many app providers and developers are trying to answer relates to the money (doesn’t it always come down to money?). The reason is simple. Someone has to create, update, and maintain apps, and all that work isn’t cheap. While most mobile apps are still free, there are more and more apps popping up each day with a price tag. The current trend is to price apps low in order to sell a greater quantity. However, a higher priced app can be successful. That’s exactly what the Major League Baseball At Bat 2010 iPhone app has shown the world.
The At Bat 2010 iPhone app costs $15, but despite the high price tag, the app is ranked as the second best-selling app from the iPhone App Store. According to Business Insider, who estimates the app is selling at 10,000-25,000 copies per day, the At Bat 2010 iPhone app is also the top grossing app in the App store (although that’s not surprising given its price tag and popularity).
So what makes people willing to pay for the At Bat 2010 iPhone app? Features, exclusive content (including live games), a built in audience, and great technology create the perception that $15 is a reasonable price to have access to content from the sport customers already love.
The bottom-line is this: the price of a mobile app has to match the perceived value that app brings to consumers. If a developer can strike that balance, then they’ll be on the road to success.
Cool blog. One of my favorite apps is stubsearch tickets. Link in my profile.