In most cases, developers, unless associated with a tech firm, are what we call the hobbyists, i.e those who make apps for the sake of it and not for business purposes. While some freelance their apps online for downloads, a very paltry segment of developer talent wants to go mainstream with their invention. It is not the lack of demand for apps in the tech world, rather a app overload today that is clogging the app monetization scenario. Unless one is backed with a good investor, the exit options are few.
As per the iOS app store data, 60% of the apps on the App Store never get downloaded while two-thirds in other leading online catalogs have less than 1000 downloads per annum. Now that's a sad statistic considering the booming talent pool that exists.
For veterans or freelance developers, the deal is slightly easier as they know their target market already and have buyers waiting to purchase. Money is not an issue, since apps are bought and sold for millions of dollars. But the so called app graveyard still exists primarily due to the lack of marketing avenues for amateur developers. In such as case there is no use holding onto your app until market offers are ripe, that's living in a Fool's Paradise!
Perhaps the best options to opt for hobbyists is to look out for a intermediary seller platform for their apps to get the best price. The traditional trend in case of apps, has been to go for a IPO takeover rather than a sell out. An app acquisition, traditionally involves the surrender of the developing code to the buying firm for a one-time price. From then on the app is the intellectual property of the new firm who recognize the developer but do no involve them further. The app may be redesigned to market their business goals or used as an tool to save their own app development time.
However, such sell out platforms and websites are an unexplored arena still. While reliable and genuine app marketing platforms are far and few, some of the leading ones are as follows:
1. Apptopia
A leader in marketing apps, 1 in every 5 registered apps on their platform gets sold, says their website. The yearly app sales already has crossed $1.4 million as they simply do not "sell source codes but facilitate acquisitions that include full ownership, IP, users, revenues".
2. SellmyApp
2. SellmyApp
This negotiating platform is a simple buy-n-sell medium that connects the seller and buyers through a fine-tune agreement to partner, sell or simply license apps by posting spam-free ads.
3. AppsBidder
3. AppsBidder
AppsBidder is a app facilitating platform that rewards its users who share, buy, sell and provide user feedback through an active social media engagement. This helps developers find appropriate buyers and users. The points are handed out in a typical acquisition style game, with registered bidders who interact on the spot to buy a available app.
4. Ziipa
4. Ziipa
This Florida based platform is again based on a ranking and "viral tag" model, that asks users to rank the incoming apps. Unlike most discovery services they do not charge users nor demand commissions.
5. Flippa
5. Flippa
With over $88 million websites and domains bought and sold through Flippa. Some of the best sales on Flippa have been Twitter's Retweet.com service and Zuckerburg's old site FaceMash.com to name a few. Popular as a website selling marketplace, they host domain names for auction.
6. Code Canyon
6. Code Canyon
Code Canyon is a Envato supported selling platform. A treasure trove of scripts, languages and frameworks especially JavaScript, PHP, ASP, .NET and Java, it is a useful option for developers to consider.
So if you are a developer, looking for platforms to market your latest app in a hassle free way, this is some handy advice for you surely. If you found our wisdom helpful, do let us know by leaving a comment below. If you are a freelance developer and know of solid seller platforms or websites, you can also share with us these details.For more app stories and updates, keep following E-junkie posts regularly.
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