[Hidden-tech] selling online app v. custom development

[Roman Victor]

Hi,

I have produced three commercial PC applications among other work. The first
was a PC frontend application for a mainframe software application for a
company in NYC and the other two are PC applications that are now sold via
the internet. 

My take on web marketed applications (PC, Mac, mobile, etc.) is that it a
good way to build a respectable revenue stream that continues after the
product is built, and that is much better than income from straight
consulting. BUT these projects work only if the product is priced right and
there is a market. 

For anyone considering this, the real issue is that it is a very substantial
task to produce, and then maintain a complete a quality software product as
well as build the web site to sell it. My last software product took more
than a man year to complete! If you do not design and build a good quality
product, expect your phone to ring a lot with customers asking for support.

Today, the market for web-marketed software products is densely populated
with thousands of excellent products, so the chances of creating something
new and innovative without a massive multi-developer effort are slim. But if
you are willing to look for a niche, and keep at it, I say build it right
and they will come. The least that you will accomplish is to learn a lot by
the development effort itself which is a worthy and marketable skill.

The Professional Association for Shareware Authors www.asp-shareware.org is
a good organization that supports the shareware community.

Roman
 
Roman Victor, Software Developer
RVPM Designs
8 Coach Ln
Amherst, MA 01002
413 253-6547
413 695-9425 cell
romanvictor at rvpmdesigns.com
www.rvpmdesigns.com
________________________________________
From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Jonathon
Podolsky
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2008 9:41 PM
To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
Subject: [Hidden-tech] selling online app v. custom development

Has anyone had experience selling an application/downloadable or
integrate-able "product" online rather than selling a custom solution where
you are paid by the amount of time you put in on the programming side?  What
are your experiences?  Is this a good way to go?

-- 
All the best,

Jonathon Podolsky
Producer at WholeHealthExpo.com
Voice: 413.584.0010 
Toll-Free: 877.WHE.EXPO
Toll-Free: 877.943.3976
Fax: 413.586.5846