Summary

The article advises focusing on web applications over mobile apps due to the stringent control and regulations, constant new requirements, and tough competition in mobile app markets.

Abstract

The author shares their personal journey from exploring side hustles to the realization that monetizing mobile apps is challenging. Despite the fun and learning associated with mobile app development, the strict regulations of app stores, frequent updates in operating systems, and intense competition from well-funded companies make it difficult for indie developers to succeed. The article suggests that developing a web application may be a more viable option due to fewer restrictions, compatibility across various devices, and the ability to avoid the pitfalls of the mobile app ecosystem.

Opinions

Mobile app development is fun and educational but presents significant challenges in monetization.
The App Store and Google Play's strict regulations, while improving app quality and security, can lead to apps being removed or banned.
The need to constantly update apps to meet new operating system requirements can be time-consuming and costly.
Big companies with larger budgets and resources dominate the mobile app market, making it difficult for independent developers to compete.
Web applications are seen as a more flexible and less restrictive alternative to mobile apps, with responsive design catering to various screen sizes.

Why You Should Avoid Making Own App

3 reasons to focus rather on the web world than on mobile

Some time ago I started exploring available options for a side hustle. In the beginning, I was thinking about doing something interesting after work and learn new technologies. After some time I started thinking if it is possible to monetize it. You have an app, users all around the world are using it, making purchases and you become rich just like Warren Buffett said once.

If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.

― Warren Buffett

I started building apps for different mobile platforms. It was fun, new technologies were constantly appearing and the market keeps growing. However, my attempts to monetize my applications were failing. I was investing time and energy in adding new features and improving existing ones. But that didn’t really help.

Getting some production experience working for companies helped me to find answers. Becoming an indie developer on mobile platforms is a real challenge.

Take into consideration the following issues next time you think about building an app. Then ask yourself if it’s possible to have a web app instead of a mobile app?

1. Too Much Control and Regulations

Both App Store and Google Play are strictly regulated. Every application submission or an update is going to be checked and verified. There are many rules in both markets.

Some of those rules are to ensure the quality of apps and avoid malware. For example, imagine Twitter application wants to get access to the microphone without any explanation. It would be suspicious. This kind of control is necessary and serves users first of all. We can see the quality of the apps improved over years. The security concern was taken really seriously. It makes total sense even by making some inconveniences.

However, there were few examples when marketplaces used their exceptional right to remove or ban the app. One of the reasons is in-app payment for the digital service should be made only through the marketplace. Any attempt to skip it may lead to blocking your app. This is written in terms and conditions and few apps already faced trouble. In the end, no matter if you like it or not, that is the rule and you have to follow it.

2. Permanent New Requirements

Google and Apple are constantly improving Android and iOS operating systems. It is good, no doubt. But along with every improvement in the operating system comes an effort to adopt those improvements in your app. Here are only a few examples.

You released an app and started earning money with it. The goal is reached and we can enjoy a passive income stream. In one year you decided to update the icon of the app and release an update. Suddenly, you realize that in 1 year new requirements came into place. You have to update to the minimum supported SDK otherwise you cannot upload an update. It will lead to refactoring some parts of the app with further testing. The task to update an icon now takes a few days.

Another good example is the Apple Sign-In feature. After the Apple Sign-In introduction it got clear if an app supports 3rd party login, it must support Apple Sign-In. If your app has sign-in with Facebook, you have to add sign-in with Apple. Otherwise, the app risks getting removed from the marketplace. And this task is not just 30 minutes.

3. Tough Competition

Competition is getting harder and harder every year. Big companies with significantly higher budgets are making life harder for indie developers. Even having a small team of 3 engineers, a designer, and a product owner brings the development process and velocity to a totally new level. They can build client-server solutions, apply shiny design with refined UX, and make data-driven decisions. Behind any successful project, there is a team, not individuals.

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”

— Helen Keller

If you decide to build an app for running, Nike, Adidas, and many other famous brands are already there. They have the resources to produce professional video advertisements with models, they can afford a massive campaign on social media regularly. They can hire a customer support team, a team of business analytics to maximize revenue, researches to study users better, and adopt the product to the needs.

Even though there is always a niche to fulfill and become a pioneer, big companies can always quickly jump in and take a piece of it.

Conclusion

Mobile development is interesting and full of challenges. But if your side hustle is programming, consider rather building a web application, unless you really need specific features of smartphones such as Bluetooth or GPS-tracking.

These days web sites offer responsive design so that it is convenient for use on any screen size. Restrictions and regulations are way simpler than in the mobile platforms world. And there are no limitations to the operating systems and hardware.