---
title: "Preparing for App Development"
locale: "en"
language: "en-HK"
published: "2014-08-27T11:38:27+08:00"
updated: "2026-03-17T23:06:31.567Z"
canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/preparing-for-app-development-257"
---

# Preparing for App Development

The rise of smartphones has encouraged many people to develop apps, but an idea or demo is only the beginning. This article explains why research, promotion, practical experience and differentiation matter.

## In brief

Before developing an app, research the project and its users, prepare for promotion, build practical experience and identify what makes the product different. Popularity and an idea alone are insufficient preparation.

With the recent rise of smartphones, many people want to [develop new ](<https://www.accordhk.com/>)[apps](<https://www.accordhk.com/>), though some have only an idea or a demo. Most people, however, still have limited understanding of developing apps, and their main reason for creating apps is that apps are popular, and they believe they can make money from them. They act as soon as they have an idea, overlooking much of the preparatory work, including marketing.

　　1.Project Research

Many people who develop apps do little preliminary research into matters such as positioning and target audiences. Preliminary research is essential for every project. It should cover the market, competitors, technology, domestic and overseas conditions, and the history of development. Completing this research will make you an expert on the project.

Research can take many forms. Offering gifts to questionnaire respondents generally does not cost much, yet can be very helpful for gathering user feedback. Understanding users’ motivations, ideas and concerns during development helps you improve the product to meet their needs, increasing the app’s chances of success.

　　2.Strengthen Promotion

Many people pay little attention to promotion. Without sufficient understanding before development, and with numerous similar products already on the market, being overtaken is only a matter of time. Among similar apps, those that stand out are willing to promote themselves. Besides attracting potential users, promotion can also prevent users from abandoning an app because it no longer feels fresh.。

Promotion can attract potential partners. Companies seeking partners generally prefer recognised brands, because working with a well-known brand can effectively raise their own profile—a tangible and obvious benefit. Promotion can also put pressure on competitors, disrupt their efforts, attract customers’ attention and make it harder for competitors to sell. So avoid blind faith in yourself: doing more promotion offers many benefits.

　　3.Gain More Practical Experience; Spend Less Time on Success Stories

After achieving success, some people promote themselves. Media coverage can make their achievements seem almost miraculous, misleading those who are eager to succeed and giving their imaginations free rein. In reality, many successful people do not openly discuss the problems and difficulties they encountered during development.

Apple’s success lies in its willingness to invest time and money in promotion. Do not blindly trust what successful people say. Others will not reveal the experience and skills required for success; they will only tell you about the results.

　　4.Product Differentiation

The so-called Jewish golden rule says that, in a mature market, only 22% make money, while the remaining 78% do not. In the app market, among products with more than 5,000 × 10,000 users, apps number only twenty or thirty, accounting for 22%. Many people are driven by a passing enthusiasm and ultimately waste their time getting nowhere.

Success is difficult to achieve, and standing out requires differentiation. Simply creating an ordinary app now offers little prospect of success. The key is identifying what makes the product different and what can attract the media and users. Different target audiences and behavioural characteristics can provide the basis for product differentiation.

## Frequently asked questions

### What should I research before developing an app?

Research the product’s positioning, target audience, market, competitors and technology. The article also recommends examining domestic and overseas conditions and the history of development.

### How can questionnaires help with app development?

Questionnaires can reveal users’ motivations, ideas and concerns, helping you improve the app to meet their needs. Offering gifts to respondents generally costs little and can help gather feedback.

### Why should app developers invest in promotion?

Promotion can attract potential users and partners, raise brand awareness and help retain users’ interest. It can also draw customers’ attention away from competitors and make their sales efforts more difficult.

### Why does the article recommend practical experience over success stories?

Success stories often highlight results without openly discussing the problems encountered during development. Practical experience matters because these accounts may not reveal the experience and skills needed to succeed.

### How can an app stand out from similar products?

Identify differences that can attract users and media attention. Different target audiences and their behavioural characteristics can provide a basis for product differentiation.