Should You Design Your Own iPhone App?

As CNET recently reported, there have now been 2 billion - yes, you read correctly - downloads of Apps onto the worldwide editions of the Apple iPhone.  With some 85,000 Apps in existence, it's easy to see that there's a clear market for these little programs.

For the most avid iPhone users, the question isn't about how great the Apps are, but what you can do with them.  After all, you can only enjoy a good game of Tic Tac Toe so many times before you start to wonder differently:  "What would I do if I could design an App?"

Believe it or not, designing Apps is big business these days, and many people otherwise incapable of construction a mini software creation can outsource the App design to professionals on the Web.  In other words, if you don't know how to build it, you can pay someone to.

But should you?

Let's take a look at the specific issues first.

Having an App can be great for your business. If you're not just an iPhone user but a social media extraordinnaire who loves to find ways to promote your blog or business, an App might be for you.  Great ideas?  Try having your blog's exclusive content made available only via the App - and charge a paltry $3.99 or so for the readers to have the rights.  It gives a great feeling of inclusion to your fans and promotes your stuff.

It's not easy. Unless you've got a little bit of money laying around, putting together an App isn't the easiest task in the world - that's why there are only 85,000, not 1,000,000.  Is it possible?  Of course.  But if you want to front the money and/or time to develop an App, you'd better be sure it's worth it once you start.

If you're still stuck, try out Popular Science's How to Make an iPhone App.

If you're already passionate about Apps and you already know that you absolutely must have one of your own, then go ahead and make it.  But if you're a little unsure, take some time and make an action list to see what kind of investments would really be required.  Also, be sure to keep in mind that many things that are difficult are also worth it.  It's up to you!  Will you contribute to the App world?