In brief
Apps create value by solving problems and meeting needs, whether or not they reach the rankings. Standalone apps and apps integrated with external systems face different challenges, while cooperation and applications beyond business offer further opportunities.
If apps cannot make it onto the app rankings, then where does the app's value lie?
In fact, apps derive their core value from “solving problems and meeting needs.”
Recently, the app market has reached maturity.
The overall app market can be divided into two broad categories of apps. One consists of straightforward apps that only need to run on a mobile phone, such as utilities and games. The other requires integration with external systems, such as online shopping and ride-hailing services. Each model involves different considerations.
The first category of apps has seen a steady stream of new offerings in recent years, but developers who entered the market early have already secured most market positions, making it difficult to overcome early developers' advantages. With the first category of apps dominating the market, some developers turn their attention to the second category of apps. However, without experience in business operations, they need to invest considerable effort in research and development. The second category of apps mainly works with external systems and involves considerations similar to those facing internet companies. Developers must also explore how to increase their app's market share.。
Successful apps in the first category are mostly developed by independent developers, while those in the second category usually come from established companies. The two differ considerably in scale, but if they can find a basis for mutually beneficial cooperation, they should be able to achieve good results.
Although apps derive their core value from “solving problems and meeting needs,” commercial value is not the only value in human society. When app developers identify problems, they develop relevant apps to address issues that could not be resolved in the past, or new problems that must be faced but remain unresolved because of constraints across regions or countries. Examples include transport, weather, crime prevention, disaster relief, food safety and community collaboration, among many others. Beyond commercial interests, there are many problems that require human ingenuity to solve—everyday problems that money alone cannot easily resolve.