Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Course Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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MDT 103 - The Business of App Development

Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Practicum Hours: 0
Work Experience: 0
Course Type: Voc/Tech
An introductory course exploring effective business strategies and successful marketing solutions in the mobile application arena. Identify proven techniques to transform an idea into a profitable app with sales longevity. Discuss how to promote an app to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Competencies
  1. Identify the requirements to start developing mobile applications.
    1. Identify the mobile platform(s) for app development.
    2. Describe the hardware requirements.
    3. Explain downloading and installing the required software.
    4. Describe registering as a developer for the mobile platform(s).
    5. Discuss purchasing a domain name for a website to support apps.
  2. Examine analyzing app ideas and performing competitive research.
    1. Discuss meeting user needs or issues that are not currently being addressed.
    2. Explore discovering untapped markets and broadening niche markets.
    3. Describe enhancing the mobile experience of similar apps by providing more streamlined and convenient features.
    4. Discuss methods to assess the competition.
    5. Explain the pros and cons of competing with similar apps.
    6. Define an app’s differentiators that make it better than existing competition.
    7. Discuss when to avoid oversaturated app categories.
  3. Analyze Intellectual Property (IP) rights.
    1. Define Intellectual Property.
    2. Differentiate the types of intellectual property protection available and consider which
    3. Explore how to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights of others.
    4. Describe the purpose of an End User License Agreement (EULA).
    5. Discuss when and how to pursue legal action.
  4. Explore techniques to improve the marketability of apps.
    1. Discuss creating a favorable first impression.
    2. Explore creating an effective app icon and logo.
    3. Discuss the benefits of maintaining a consistent brand identity
    4. Explore interface design from a user perspective.
    5. Examine design features to improve accessibility.
    6. Discuss outsourcing to professional designers.
    7. Describe the benefits of prototyping and user testing.
  5. Assess in-app promotion opportunities.
    1. Discuss how to encourage ratings from users that are happy with an app.
    2. Examine in-app user review features.
    3. Explore using in-app email and integrating social networking.
    4. Describe improving app discovery with in-app cross-promotion and third-party web services.
  6. Evaluate how free apps can make money in the mobile universe.
    1. Identify ways to generate revenue from free apps.
    2. Describe using a free app to up-sell a separate premium version.
    3. Differentiate between free lite versions of an app versus using a freemium model offering in-app purchases of premium features.
    4. Discuss offering free apps supported by in-app advertising.
    5. Summarize the process of linking an app to an external web site with an affiliate program to earn commissions on sales driven to the site.
  7. Examine monetizing free apps with in-app advertising.
    1. Explain how in-app advertising can be an effective way to monetize a free app without relying on paid content sales.
    2. Discuss the current mobile ad networks.
    3. Explain the value of tracking users’ demographics and usage patterns through in-app analytics.
    4. Describe how partnering with a sponsor can monetize a free app through product placement deals.
  8. Evaluate the freemium model offering in-app purchases.
    1. Explain how existing users make the best customers.
    2. Explore the in-app purchase feature integrating e-commerce to create additional revenue opportunities beyond traditional app sales.
    3. List in-app purchase product types.
    4. Discuss when and how to use in-app purchases.
    5. Differentiate in-app content built into an app versus downloading content from a remote server.
  9. Explore testing to ensure an excellent overall user experience.
    1. Describe the merits of on-device testing and receiving feedback from beta testers.
    2. Discuss the need to test app features that are not supported in the device simulator.
    3. Explain the importance of having multiple people test your app.
    4. Discuss an in-app mechanism for users to send feedback.
  10. Categorize pre-release marketing strategies.
    1. Explore the best ways to create excitement and anticipation for an app?s release.
    2. Discuss growing an online audience through social networks for distributing news about the app.
    3. Explain the need for a web site or dedicated web page for the app.
    4. Describe pre-release marketing materials needed to support the social marketing plan and the app’s web site.
  11. Outline the app submission process
    1. Describe the general steps for submitting an app to the marketplace.
    2. Identify common factors to consider when determining an app’s selling price.
    3. Discuss the importance of names, keywords and images for an app’s product page.
    4. Explain the app description’s function as a primary marketing tool for users to learn more about the app.
  12. Evaluate methods to increase consumer awareness of an app’s availability.
    1. Explore post-release marketing efforts to capitalize on the initial visibility of an app.
    2. Discuss sending out press releases to major technology and mobile news sites.
    3. Summarize the process of sending reviewers promo codes for a free copy of the app.
    4. Describe the importance of reviews and interviews to gain exposure for the app.
    5. Discuss using limited-time promotions and partnering with popular giveaway sites to receive extra publicity for the app.



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